The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shoot and kill a Palestinian-owned camel in ‘Arab al-Rashayida. Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian man during a raid in Bir al-Basha. Israeli forces also raid Jenin, uprooting streets and demolishing a monument to Palestinians killed by Israeli forces. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolish an agricultural structure in Azzun ‘Atma. Israeli forces also seal off entrances to Jericho. 24 Palestinians are arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, Nablus, Tulkarm, and Tubas. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Rafah, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 200 people. Israeli forces also fire using live ammunition and tank shells at Palestinians waiting in line for food aid in Gaza City, killing 20 and wounding 150. An Israeli soldier is killed in combat. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb an airfield near Tyre. (AJ, AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, UNOCHA 1/25; HA, HA 1/26)

More than 25,900 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 10,600 children and 7,200 women, and around 64,110 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 365 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 92 children. More than 4,354 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, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 219 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,250 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. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 153 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah crossing. Israelis block the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing for the second day in a row, forcing aid trucks to reroute to Egypt. (AJ, AP, HA, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 1/25)

Hamas says it will abide by any ICJ ruling if Israel does as well. Hamas also says it will release all captives if Israel releases all Palestinian prisoners. An initial ICJ ruling is expected on 1/26. (AJ, HA 1/25)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas meets with Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani in Ramallah. (WAFA 1/25)

Several media outlets report that Hamas and Israel have agreed on a basic understanding for a ceasefire agreement which would see a 35-day ceasefire, the release of all Israeli captives and of some Palestinian prisoners, and more aid to Gaza. (HA, HA 1/25)

UK prime minister Rishi Sunak tells the parliamentary group Conservative Friends of Israel that those “who chant ‘from the river to the sea’ are either useful idiots who do not understand what they are saying, or worse, people who wish to wipe the Jewish state from the map.” (AJ 1/26)

Finnish foreign minister Elina Valtonen says the time for Israel’s “self-defense is over,” saying “enough is enough, the civilian population in Gaza needs an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.” (HA 1/25)

The Financial Times reports that the Israeli government has written to foreign diplomatic missions in Israel asking if they have backup generators and satellite phones in case of a ‘security escalation.’ (AJ 1/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian man with live ammunition in al-Jalama. Israeli forces also shoot and injure a Palestinian man with a baton round in Beita; others suffer tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces punitively demolish the family home of a Palestinian prisoner in ‘Urif, displacing 5 people. Israeli forces also seize the roof of a building in Ya’bad, turning it to a military post. Israeli forces arrest 35 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Awarta, ‘Urif, Sabastia, Bani Na’im, Dura, Bruqin, and Kafl Haris. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers tour the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, mobile phone services are partially restored in southern Gaza, internet services remain out throughout the entire strip. Israeli forces bomb Khan Yunis, Jabalia refugee camp, al-Bureij refugee camp, Maghazi, Nuseirat, and Beit Lahiya, killing at least 210 people, including 13 from tank shells fired at a UN shelter and 3 at a Red Crescent shelter in Khan Yunis. Israeli forces also use tanks and drones to kill Palestinians fleeing the area around the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. In Lebanon, Hezbollah fires rockets at an Israeli base in Shebaa Farms. In the Red Sea, the U.S. military says it intercepted 2 ballistic missiles fired at a U.S.-flagged container ship. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/24; AJ, HA, REU 1/25)

More than 25,700 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 10,600 children and 7,200 women, and around 63,740 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 364 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 92 children. More than 4,348 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, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 219 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,250 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. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 153 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah crossing. Israelis block the Karem Abu Salem crossing, forcing aid trucks to reroute to Egypt. (UNOCHA, UNOCHA 1/24)

Hamas condemns the rearrest on 1/20 of a Palestinian child who was released in the prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas in November 2023. (AJ 1/24)

The Israeli military acknowledges that it used phosphorus when bombing near Metula last week. The military also says it is considering arming civilian security squads in West Bank settlements with anti-tank missiles. (HA, HA 1/24)

Newly appointed Acting Commissioner of the Israel Prison Service Kobi Ya’akobi says he will worsen the conditions of Palestinian “security prisoners.” (HA 1/25)

The Israeli attorney general’s office rejects a petition brought by HaMoked to have Israel disclose where Palestinians taken from Gaza are detained. (HA 1/24)

The ICJ announces that it will issue an initial ruling on the South African case against Israel on 1/26. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, WAFA 1/24; NYT 1/25)

Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi says Israeli efforts to delay aid entering into Gaza are a tactic to exert pressure to have the Israeli captives released. Israeli Channel 13 reports that President el-Sisi rejected an Israeli request for a call between him and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (AJ, HA 1/24)

UK foreign minister David Cameron meets with PA president Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, discussing the situation in Palestine. Cameron also meets with Prime Minister Netanyahu in Jerusalem, urging him to allow more aid into Gaza. (REU, REU, WAFA 1/24; AJ, NYT 1/25)

Prime Minister Netanyahu says at a Knesset session that Israel’s attacks on Gaza “must end with the eradication of the new Nazis.” Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu reiterates his call to drop nuclear weapons on Gaza. (HA 1/24)

The Qatari Foreign Ministry says the country is “appalled” by statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who reportedly called Qatari mediations between Israel and Hamas “problematic.” The foreign ministry says “[t]hese remarks if validated, are irresponsible and destructive to the efforts to save innocent lives, but are not surprising.” Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich claims in response that Qatar supports and funds terrorism. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, REU 1/24; AJ, AJ 1/25)

U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel says the U.S. “deplore[s] today’s attack on [the] Khan Yunis training center,” adding “the protected nature of UN facilities must be respected.” (AJ, HA, REU 1/24)

5 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, led by Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), write letters to the White House and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) asking the GAO to conduct a review of whether U.S. arms transfers to Israel are violating U.S. and international law. (AJ 1/24)

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov says the Arab League should be leading efforts to create a Palestinian state, saying the Quartet “exists no longer” as the U.S. believes it can mediate efforts alone. (AJ 1/25)

16 human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Oxfam, and Save the Children, send a letter to the UN asking for an end to arms transfers to Israel and armed Palestinian groups. (AJ, HA 1/24)

The Wall Street Journal reports that Israel is demolishing buildings within 0.6 miles of the Gaza fence to expend the buffer zone, citing a study from Hebrew University. According to the study, 40% of buildings located within 0.6 miles of the fence have been demolished. (AJ 1/25)

In the West Bank, armed Israeli settlers harass and intimidate Palestinians in Hebron. Israeli settlers also bring livestock to graze on Palestinian crops in the Masafer Yatta area. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set up mobile homes near Tuqu’. Israeli forces shoot and injure 11 Palestinians during raids in Qatanna, Sabastia, Anabta, Zeita, and Tulkarm. Israeli forces also seize printing equipment and a vehicle from a printing shop in Nablus. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Khan Yunis, Maghazi, Beit Lahiya, Gaza City, Nuseirat refugee camp, Jabalia refugee camp, and Dayr al-Balah, killing more than 150 people, including 70 in a residential building in Jabalia refugee camp, 43 in 2 homes in Khan Yunis, 27 in 2 homes in Dayr al-Balah, and 4 in an UNRWA school sheltering internally displaced people. Israeli snipers also shoot a Palestinian outside of al-Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis. Doctors Without Borders says it will evacuate staff and patients from al-Aqsa Hospital in Dayr al-Balah after Israel orders the evacuation of the area in which the hospital is located, noting that Israel has attacked the area around the hospital for several days. Israel claims it forces have assassinated the commander of the al-Qassam Brigades Nuseirat battalion Ismail Sirah and his deputy Ahmed Wahba. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb a home in Kawthariyat al-Siyad 25 miles north of the Blue Line and several places south of Tyre. Hezbollah attacks a group of Israeli soldiers in Avivim and fires 62 missiles at the Meron air base. In the Red Sea, the U.S. says it shot down a drone launched from Yemen. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/6; AP, HA, HA, UNOCHA 1/7)

More than 22,750 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 8,800 children and 6,300 women, and around 57,910 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 319 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 81 children. More than 3,949 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, 173 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,020 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. 116 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah and Karim Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings. (AJ, WAFA 1/6; UNOCHA 1/7)

The Gaza media office says Israel has exhumed 1,100 graves in the Tuffah cemetery, stealing 150 bodies. (AJ 1/6)

Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari says Israel has dismantled the Hamas “military framework” in northern Gaza and killed 8,000 militants in the area. Military chief of staff Herzl Halevi and Shin Bet director Ronen Bar tour Khan Yunis. (AJ, HA 1/6; AJ 1/7)

The PA says Israeli settlements in the Jordan Valley are quickly increasing while the world focuses on Gaza. The PA calls on the U.S. to urge Israel to end the settlement expansion. (AJ, WAFA 1/6)

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres submits a report to the UN Security Council warning that “widespread famine looms” in Gaza. Guterres says in the report that Israel must restore water and electricity services in Gaza. (AJ, HA 1/7)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken visits Greece and Turkey, meeting with Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Crete and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Istanbul. Blinken later arrives in Jordan ahead of a meeting with King Abdullah II. Blinken also speaks with the Algerian foreign minister Ahmed Attaf telling him that the U.S. rejects the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU 1/6)

U.S. senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Jeff Merkey (D-OR) visit the Rafah crossing. Van Hollen tells reporters that the Israeli authorities are stymying the flow of aid by arbitrarily rejecting supplies from entering Gaza, calling the aid screening process “unnecessarily cumbersome.” A congressional delegation visits Qatar, meeting with prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and discussing the situation in Gaza. (AJ, AP 1/6; AJ 1/7)

EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borell meets with Lebanese caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati in Beirut, discussing Israel’s attacks on Lebanon and Gaza. (AJ 1/6)

100 lawyers from Chile file a complaint with the ICC accusing Israel of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, blaming Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (AJ 1/6)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian man succumbed to injuries sustained from Israeli forces in Nablus on 12/18. Israeli settlers began work on a settler road near Battir. Israeli forces raided 6 money exchange offices in Ramallah, Tulkarm, and Jenin, seizing millions of shekels, killing 1 person and wounding 20 others in Ramallah. Israeli forces also shot and killed a Palestinian man at a checkpoint west of Bethlehem. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished a junkyard near al-Zawiya. 25 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Rujeib, Nablus, Jericho, Hebron, Tubas, Qalqilya, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian after he stabbed and injured 2 Israeli soldiers. Israeli forces later raided the man’s home, arresting 3 members of his family. In Gaza, Israeli forces bombed Beit Lahiya, Nuseirat refugee camp, Khan Yunis, Gaza City, Rafah, Beit Hanun, Dayr al-Balah, and Maghazi, killing 210 people, including 30 in a building in Beit Lahiya. 3 Israeli soldiers were killed in combat. In Lebanon, Israeli forces attacked Shebaa Farms, Rashaya al-Fakhar, and al-Khaim, saying 12 missiles were fired at Israel. In Syria, Israeli forces attacked sites near Damascus and Tel al-Sahn, reportedly killing 11 members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps at an airport. In the Red Sea, the U.S. said it shot down a drone and a ballistic missile fired from Yemen. (AJ 12/27; AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/28; AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, WAFA 12/29)

More than 21,320 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 8,800 children and 6,300 women, and around 55,603 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 308 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 79 children. More than 3,812 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7. 165 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 898 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. 76 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. (AJ, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 12/28)

UNRWA said Gaza was suffering from “catastrophic hunger” with 40% of the population at risk of famine. UN humanitarian aid chief Martin Griffiths said the UN was facing a number of obstacles in delivering aid to Gaza, including a growing list of Israeli-rejected items, 3 layers of inspection, having to use a crossing that is made for pedestrians, constant bombardments, attacks on convoys, and aid workers being displaced and killed. UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Turk called Israel’s usage of military tactics and weapons in the West Bank “extremely troubling” and called on Israel to take steps to end settler violence. Turk’s office released a report that said Israel engaged in sexual violence against Palestinians who have been arrested since 10/7. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 12/28; AJ, HA 12/29; NYT 1/1)

The Palestine Monetary Authority said Israeli forces raided 6 money exchange companies, seizing large sums of money and arresting staff (see above). It was reported that $2.5 million was stolen from the companies. The authority said Israel sought to undermine confidence in the Palestinian banking sector. Israel said it had declared the exchange companies terrorist organizations before stealing the sums. (AJ, AJ, HA, WAFA 12/28)

Egypt said neither Hamas nor Israel had responded to its ceasefire proposal. (HA 12/28)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled a meeting of the war cabinet that was reportedly set to discuss Israel’s plans for Gaza after the war. The meeting was canceled after opposition to the discussions by members of Netanyahu’s governing coalition. (HA 12/28; AJ 12/29)

Israel claimed that it had used the wrong type of munition, leading to the killing of at least 90 people in Maghazi on 12/24. Israel also said it would not take action against soldiers who killed 3 Israeli captives who had escaped captivity on 12/15, despite saying the incident could have been prevented. (AJ, AJ, NYT 12/28; AJ, HA 12/29)

The Arab League’s legislative body held a special session titled “Supporting Palestine.” (AJ 12/28)

India contributed $2.5 million to UNRWA, bringing its contribution for 2023 to $5 million. (AJ, WAFA 12/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians, including a child, during a raid in Fawwar refugee camp. Israeli forces also raided Nur Shams refugee camp for 9 hours using 40 armored vehicles, demolishing 3 homes. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 5 homes in Furush Beit Dajan, displacing 70 people. 55 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Nablus, Tubas, and Tulkarm, including former PLC member Khalida Jarrar. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities forced 3 Palestinian families to demolish their own homes in Jabel Mukaber and Shu’fat. In Gaza, telecommunications were down throughout Gaza. Israeli forces bombed Khan Yunis, Rafah, al-Bureij refugee camp, Nuseirat refugee camp, Gaza City, and Maghazi, killing dozens of people, including at least 100 in Maghazi. Israeli forces also directly hit the Palestinian Red Crescent Society’s headquarters in Khan Yunis, causing damage. Israel said it had assassinated Hamis al-Najar, a member of the Hamas Legislative Council, in an airstrike in Khan Yunis that also killed his wife, 2 children, and several of his grandchildren. 3 Israeli soldiers were killed in combat. In Lebanon, Israeli forces attacked several sites and Hezbollah injured 9 Israeli soldiers using anti-tank missiles. In the Red Sea, a drone was shot down near Dahab, Egypt. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/26; AJ, AJ, HA, HA 12/27; AJ 12/28 AJ 12/29)

More than 20,915 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 8,000 children and 6,200 women, and around 54,918 have been injured since 10/7. At least 8,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 298 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 76 children. More than 3,800 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7. 162 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 874 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. 83 trucks carrying aid and 7 ambulances entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. Israel said the Karem Abu Salam (Kerem Shalom) crossing was closed due to “logistical constraints.” (AJ, UNOCHA 12/26)

Israel returned the bodies of 80 Palestinians Israeli soldiers had seized in northern Gaza during its ground invasion. The bodies were buried in a mass grave in Rafah. The Gaza media office said Israel stole organs from the bodies. (AJ, HA, UNOCHA 12/26)

An Israeli soldier reportedly died of a fungal infection he had been exposed to in Gaza while 10 were sick with the infection. (HA 12/26; HA 12/27)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas gave a speech calling the events in Gaza greater and more horrific that the Nakba. Abbas said Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan was to rid historic Palestine of all Palestinians and said he would continue to work toward Palestinian political reconciliation. PA ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour wrote a letter to the UN Security Council president, saying Israel has ignored Security Council Resolution 2720, adopted on 12/22. (AJ 12/26; AJ 12/27)

The UN appointed former Dutch minister Sigrid Kaag as the Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, a position created by the UN Security Council on 12/22. (AJ, HA, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA 12/26; AP, HA 12/27)

Israel said it would no longer grant visas to UN employees automatically, instead judging applicants on a case-by-base. Government spokesperson Eylon Levy said the UN had failed to condemn Hamas for operating out of schools and stealing aid, both charges that Hamas has denied. (AP 12/26)

Israeli minister of strategic affairs Ron Dermer met with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Washington D.C., discussing Israel’s plans after its war on Gaza. (AJ, REU 12/26; HA 12/27)

Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani spoke with U.S. president Joe Biden about the situation in Gaza and efforts to mediate a ceasefire. (HA 12/26)

The French government issued a statement reiterating its call for an “immediate truce leading to a ceasefire,” and condemned the “systematic bombing that has again left many civilian victims in recent days.” (AJ 12/26)

Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel said Israel was a “terrorist state” that commits genocide against Palestinians. (AJ 12/27)

Israel announced that it had granted Intel Corporation $3.2 billion to build a new chip plant in Israel worth $25 billion. The deal also commits Intel to buy goods and services from Israeli providers worth $16.6 billion over the next decade. (AJ, HA, REU 12/26; NYT 12/27; HA 1/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers razed 15 dunams of land, uprooting grape vines and almond trees near al-Khader. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians during raids in Qiffin and Tell. Israeli forces also shot and injured 2 people with live ammunition and 3 with baton rounds during a raid in Ramallah. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 14 residential and agricultural sheds and tents in Aqraba. 25 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Tulkarm, Nablus, and Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided Shu’fat refugee camp, firing tear gas at Palestinians, causing tear-gas related injuries. In Gaza, telecommunications were partially restored in central and southern Gaza at the end of the day. Israeli forces bombed Rafah, Nuseirat refugee camp, Khan Yunis, Jabalia refugee camp, and Gaza City, killing dozens of people. Israel’s bombardment targeted Gaza Ministry of Health director-general Munis al-Bursh, killing several members of his family in an airstrike on a residential building in Jabalia refugee camp. Israeli forces also raided a Palestinian Red Crescent Society ambulance center in Jabalia refugee camp, arresting and humiliating Palestinians. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and killed a medical worker in al-Awda Hospital and killed Karem Abu Salem crossing director Bassam Ghaben in an airstrike. Israel also bombed and completely destroyed a large part of the Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City. 2 Israeli soldiers were killed in combat. Several rockets were launched at Tel Aviv. In Lebanon, Hezbollah said it had attacked several buildings in Metula and Ramot Naftali. 3 people were injured in attacks on Avivim and 2 in Dovev. Israel said it shelled several Hezbollah-linked sites. A Lebanese civilian was killed and her husband injured in an airstrike on Maroun al-Ras. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/21; AJ, HA, HA, NYT 12/22)

More than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 8,000 children and 6,200 women, and around 54,000 have been injured since 10/7. At least 8,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 296 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 75 children. More than 3,387 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7. 138 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 771 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 12/3, at least 52,000 housing units had been destroyed and 253,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. 78 trucks and 5 ambulances entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing, while 22 trucks entered via the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing. 23 UN and nongovernmental agencies released a joint report saying the entire population of Gaza was suffering a food crisis and 576,600 were experiencing catastrophic and starvation levels of food insecurity. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AX, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA 12/21; AP, HA 12/22)

Haaretz reported that 19 Israeli prison guards were under investigation in relation to the killing of a Palestinian prisoner, Tair Abu Asab, who died on 11/17 in the Ketziot Prison. Abu Asab’s body showed signs of beatings, but the official autopsy did not determine a cause of death. (AP, HA, WAFA 12/21)

The Israeli military claimed it has killed 2,000 members of Hamas since the beginning of the ground invasion of Gaza and 8,000 since 10/7. War cabinet member Benny Gantz said he expected reduced military activity in Gaza, but that Israel had no intention of stopping its assault. Hamas said 3 Israeli captives had been killed in Israeli bombings in Gaza, releasing a picture of the men holding papers showing their names and ID numbers. (AJ, HA 12/21)

PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh met with UAE foreign minister Abdullah bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi, discussing the situation in Gaza. (HA, REU, WAFA 12/21)

The UN Security Council discussed a resolution on Gaza for the fourth day in a row without calling a vote. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT 12/21)

Canada announced that it will provide temporary visas to Palestinians with relatives in Canada starting from 1/9. If granted, the visas will be valid for 3 years. Separately, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Canadian TV that he and other Israeli allies are worried that “the short-term actions being taken by Israel are actually putting at risk the long-term safety [of] and even support for a Jewish state into the future.” (AJ, HA 12/21)

Iraq sent 2.6 million gallons of fuel to Egypt intended for dispersal as aid in Gaza. (AJ 12/21)

The New York Times reported that Israel had used 2,000-pound bombs in Gaza 208 times and that the bombs had been dropped on areas Israel had declared safe zones. (NYT, NYT 12/21; AJ, HA, HA 12/22)

A Washington Post analysis of Israeli claims that al-Shifa Hospital was a Hamas base before Israel attacked and besieged it said the Israeli claims were unsubstantiated. The Post said it had found that the rooms connected to the tunnel network Israel had shown in video material did not show “immediate evidence of military use by Hamas,” that the 5 buildings Israel said were involved with Hamas did not appear to be connected to the tunnel network, and that there was no evidence that the tunnels could be accessed directly from the hospital. (AJ 12/21; HA 12/22)

In the West Bank, an Israeli settler stabbed and injured a Palestinian and rammed his livestock with a car, killing 2 goats in Khirbet al-Farisiyya. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Rawabi. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinians with pepper spray at the Ibrahimi Mosque. Israeli forces shot and killed 4 Palestinians, including 2 children, during a raid in al-Fara’a refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3, including a journalist near Jaffna and 2 others in Tell. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished a home under construction in Majdal Bani Fadel and electricity networks connecting Majdal Bani Fadel and Aqraba. An Israeli settler was shot and injured near the Ateret settlement. 35 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm, Jericho, Ramallah, Hebron, Qalqilya, and Bethlehem. In Gaza, Israeli forces bombed Nuseirat refugee camp, Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Jabalia refugee camp, Dayr al-Balah, and Rafah; it was unclear how many casualties there were. Israeli forces also raided al-Ahli Arab Hospital, causing injuries and arresting dozens. 2 Israeli soldiers were killed in combat. In Lebanon, Hezbollah fired missiles at Kiryat Shmona and Israeli forces attacked a funeral in Aita al-Shaab. In Syria, Israeli forces fired tank shells at a Syrian army position, saying missiles had been launched at Israel. In the Red Sea, Houthi forces attacked 2 ships with drones, saying they failed to respond to calls. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/18; AJ, UNOCHA 12/19)

As of 12/17 more than 19,453 Palestinians had been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 7,729 children and 5,153 women, and around 54,000 had been injured since 10/7. At least 8,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 294 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 74 children. More than 3,387 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7. 132 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 719 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 12/3, at least 52,000 housing units had been destroyed and 253,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. 60 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing and 64 entered via the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing. 55 injured people, accompanied by 56 others, and 548 dual nationals were evacuated to Egypt. (AJ, UNOCHA 12/18; UNOCHA 12/19)

Human Rights Watch issued a report saying Israel was using starvation as a weapon of war by deliberately denying civilians access to food and water. The report pointed out that 3 Israeli ministers have made statements confirming the policy. (AJ, HA, HRW, WAFA 12/18)

Hamas released a video of 3 elderly Israeli captives. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, REU 12/18)

U.S. secretary of defense Lloyd Austin arrived in Israel for meetings with Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the meetings, Austin said the U.S. support for Israel was unshakeable but that the U.S. urged Israel to protect civilians and increase the flow of aid. Israeli and U.S. sources told Axios that Gallant and Netanyahu told Austin they want Hezbollah to move its forces 6 miles north of the Blue Line. CIA director William Burns met with Qatari prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Mossad director David Barnea in Warsaw. (AJ, AJ, AX, AX, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU 12/18; REU 12/19; AJ 12/20)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas congratulated Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on his re-election. Egypt’s National Election Authority said el-Sisi won with 89.6% of the vote and the voter turnout was 66.8%. (AP, NYT, WAFA 12/18; HA 12/19)

The U.S. launched a new patrol mission in the Red Sea to counter Yemeni attacks on commercial ships. The UK, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the Seychelles, and Spain joined the U.S.-led mission. A Houthi spokesperson called the mission unnecessary, saying waters around Yemen are safe, except for Israel-linked ships or vessels traveling to Israel. The Taiwanese shipping company Evergreen said it has stopped accepting Israeli cargo. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, REU 12/18; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU 12/19)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian minor, shot by Israeli forces on 5/12, succumbed to his wounds. Israeli settlers shot and injured 1 Palestinian while raiding Bani Na‘im. Israeli settlers with military escort also raided Silat al-Harithiyya, leading to confrontations; no injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers also blocked a main road to al-Bireh and threw stones at Palestinian vehicles, causing damage. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Bayt Jala and al-Walaja. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian using live ammunition during a Nakba Day protest in Zeita, near Tulkarm. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Aida refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Tura, injuring 1 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at a checkpoint near Huwwara, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 1 with live ammunition and 1 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Umar, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during house raids in al-Khadir and Dura, and 5 during protests near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers with military escort raided Bayt Hanina and Shu‘fat refugee camp, leading to confrontations; 2 Palestinians were injured by the Israeli forces in Bayt Hanina. Israeli settlers later raided Shu‘fat refugee camp again, injuring 2 Palestinians with live ammunition. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian, saying he had intentionally rammed 7 officers, who were lightly injured, in Shaykh Jarrah; 1 journalist was physically assaulted at the scene and others had stun grenades thrown at them. 25 Palestinians were arrested. In Gaza, 50 Palestinians were killed, including 19 children, and dozens were injured, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 153 to 203, including 60 children and 2 pregnant women. The casualties included: 43, including 19 children, and dozens wounded in air strikes hitting residential buildings in Gaza City; 1, and 2 wounded in a drone strike in Jabaliya; 1, and 11 injured in air strikes on a residential buildings in Nuseirat; 3 in air strikes on Bayt Hanun; 2 in a drone strike on a house in Rafah. Israel also attacked and demolished the homes of Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar and his brother in Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported in the air strikes. In Israel, rockets from Gaza hit 1 house in Ashdod and damaged 5 vehicles in Ashkelon; no injuries were reported. Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz extended the state of emergency in Lydda for 48 hours. Israel arrested 1 Palestinian-Israeli imam Shaykh Kamal Khatib, the deputy leader of the northern faction of the Islamic Movement in Israel, saying he had made incendiary remarks about Israel’s attacks on al-Aqsa Mosque. 28 people were wounded in a subsequent protest in Kafr Kana where he was arrested, including many by Israeli live ammunition. 8 Palestinian-Israelis were arrested in Taiba and Qalansawe. 2 Jordanian citizens were arrested in Gilboa after having crossed from Jordan into Israel. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, CNN, HA, HA, NPR, NYT, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/16; PCHR 5/17; ALM 5/19; HA, PCHR 5/20; MEE 5/21; HA 5/25; NYT 5/26; AP 6/2; NYT 6/24)

Egypt opened the Rafah crossing 1 day earlier than planned to allow the passage of students and medical patients. 95 Palestinians were reported to have been evacuated to Egypt for treatment of injuries before the border officially reopened. (HA, REU 5/16)

2 Israeli settlers were killed and 150 were injured when a structurally unsound seating area collapsed in a synagogue in Givat Ze’ev. (AJ, AP, CNN, HA, REU 5/16)

The High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel announced a general strike on 5/18 to protest attacks on members of its community. (HA 5/16)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke to Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte about the Israeli escalation of violence in the Palestinian territories. (WAFA 5/16)

Haaretz reported that Israeli senior officials did not consider a ceasefire option at its latest security cabinet meeting. (HA 5/16)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz met with U.S. deputy assistant secretary for Israel and Palestinian affairs Hady Amr. U.S. president Joe Biden said in an Eid holiday speech that his “administration is going to continue to engage Palestinians and Israelis and other regional partners to work toward sustained calm.” Later, secretary of state Antony Blinken said that “the violence must end immediately.” Earlier in the day, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had reiterated that his government has no plans for a ceasefire, saying the attacks on Gaza “will take time.” (AJ, HA 5/16; HA 5/17)

Jordanian king Abdullah II said that Jordan has been involved in intense diplomacy with its allies in Europe and the U.S. to put pressure on Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza. (HA, REU 5/16)

28 U.S. Democratic senators, led by Jon Ossoff (D-GA), called for an immediate ceasefire “[t]o prevent any further loss of civilian life and to prevent further escalation of conflict in Israel and the Palestinian territories.” (HA, NYT 5/17)

At a UN security council (UNSC) meeting on Israel-Palestine, UN secretary-general António Guterres said that the situation was “utterly appalling,” calling for an immediate ceasefire. He said the UN is actively involved in facilitating a ceasefire. This was the 3d time in a week that the UNSC met about the situation and the 3d time the U.S. stalled any joint statement. PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki said that “[e]ach time Israel hears a foreign leader speak of its right to defend itself it is further emboldened to continue murdering entire families in their sleep.” (AJ, AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA 5/16; TOI 5/17)

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation called for an immediate halt of Israeli attacks on Gaza and “systematic crimes” against Palestinians. Saudi Arabia also condemned Israel’s “fragrant violations” of Palestinian rights. PA foreign minister al-Maliki criticized the countries that had normalized relations with Israel, saying, “running towards this colonial Israeli system without achieving peace and ending the Israeli occupation of Arab and Palestinian lands represents support for the apartheid regime and participation in its crimes.” (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 5/16)

Pope Francis, for the 2d Sunday in a row, denounced the escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine, saying that the death of children was a “sign that they don’t want to build the future but want to destroy it.” (HA 5/16; WAFA 5/17)