The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles in Hebron, causing damage. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man after he allegedly rammed his car into an Israeli soldier at the Beit Sira checkpoint, injuring the soldier. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian man driving near Kharas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 2 Palestinian homes in Jalbun and 2 Palestinian homes in al-Walaja. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ramallah, Aida refugee camp, Kafl Haris, Beita, Nablus, Nur Shams, ‘Azzun, and Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested in Isawiya. In the Naqab, Israeli police shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor who was a bystander to a car chase in Ar‘arat an-Naqab. (AJ, HA, HA, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/2; PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 11/3; MDW 11/4; UNOCHA 11/13)

In the final communique from the 1st Arab Summit in 3 years, Arab state leaders pledged their continued to support for Palestine, said Jerusalem must be protected, condemned Israeli use of violence against Palestinians, and urged Israel to lift the blockade of Gaza. The 31st Arab Summit, held in Algeria, was the 1st since the UAE, Morocco, Bahrain, and Sudan normalized relations with Israel. At the summit PA president Mahmoud Abbas asked the participating countries to form 2 ministerial committees to support Palestine in international diplomacy. (AJ, HA, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/2; MEMO, MEMO 11/3)

A spokesperson for the newly appointed UK prime minister Rishi Sunak said that his government does not intend to move the British embassy to Israel to Jerusalem, walking back statements made by Prime Minister Sunak’s predecessor Liz Truss who resigned last month. Truss, who like Sunak had been appointed by the Conservative Party, had told Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid that her government would review moving the British embassy to Israel to Jerusalem last month. Truss served as prime minister for 45 days before resigning due to dissatisfaction with her policies and popularity among Conservative Party members. (MEE, WAFA 11/2; AJ, GDN, HA, JP, MEMO, REU, TOI 11/3; NA 11/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Burin, injuring 2 Palestinians. Video footage of the incident released by Yesh Din shows Israeli soldiers directly aiding the settlers in the attack by handing them smoke grenades. The settlers also threw stones at homes nearby, smashing solar panels. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Duma, causing damage. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers raided Huwwara, injuring 2 by physical assault and others with pepper spray and by throwing stones at vehicles, causing damage. Israeli settlers also razed Palestinian land and an agricultural road in al-Farisiyya. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Hebron, causing injuries. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 3 others with live ammunition during a late-night raid in Jenin refugee camp. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians harvesting olives in Qaffin, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Aida refugee camp, injuring 1 minor with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Qalqilya, injuring 1 minor with live ammunition. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at the Huwwara checkpoint, causing tear-gas related injuries. Separately, Israeli forces raided the funeral house where family and friends were mourning their relative shot by Israeli forces on 10/19. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron and al-Arroub refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the siege of Nablus at the Beit Furik checkpoint, injuring 2 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. (AP 10/20; AJ, HA, MEE, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/21; HA 10/22; ALM 10/24; PCHR 10/27; UNOCHA 11/1)

Haaretz reported that there had been more than 100 incidents of Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians in the past 10 days. (HA, MEE, TOI 10/21)

In Syria, Israeli forces conducted air strikes near Damascus, causing damage at Dimas military airport. (HA 10/21; HA 10/23)

In the West Bank, PA forces arrested 3 Palestinians in Jenin, leading to gunmen opening fire at a PA office in the city; the 3 Palestinians were released shortly after by the PA. Armed Israeli settlers raided Susiya, chanting racist slogans and throwing stones, injuring 1 Palestinian man. Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest in al-Bireh, injuring 1 journalist with a rubber-coated bullet; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 12 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 5 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 4 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in Qalqilya, injuring 5 with rubber-coated bullets. Separately, Israeli forces confiscated 1 excavator in Kuseis near Dura. 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Beita and Aida refugee camp and 3 at a checkpoint near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished parts of their own home in Ras al-Amud. 1 Palestinian was arrested at the Damascus Gate plaza. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen northwest of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian agricultural lands east of al-Fukhari, Dayr al-Balah, and al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/7; HA, JP, TOI 1/8; PCHR 1/13)

The Directorate of the Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem said Israel is preventing the implementation of a Waqf decision to increase the number of Waqf guards at the Haram al-Sharif compound. The Waqf said it needs to increase the number of guards due to the increase in Israeli settlers touring the compound. (MEMO 1/8; WAFA 1/10)

Norwegian representative to the UN Mona Juul said that she will use her time as president of the Security Council to prioritize the Palestinian-Israeli conflict by elevating a meeting on the issue on 1/19 to the ministerial level. (WAFA 1/7)

Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 6 with rubber-coated bullets, including 2 minors, while others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed protesters in Bayt Dajan, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 1 journalist with a rubber-coated bullet and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Aida refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Arroub refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Dheisheh refugee camp, Husan, and Kafr al-Labad, and 3 at checkpoints near Salfit and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest in Sheikh Jarrah, physically assaulting protesters and confiscating Palestinian flags; 2 were arrested. 1 other was arrested during a late-night raid in Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen and seized 1 boat after detaining 5 on the same boat, claiming it was sailing beyond the Israeli-imposed fishing area; the 2 were released on 11/27. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/26; MEMO 11/27; PCHR 12/2)

In Jordan, thousands of Jordanians protested the Jordan-Israel deal to swap energy for water in Amman. The agreement was signed on 11/22 in the UAE and witnessed by U.S. climate envoy John Kerry. (AJ, HA, MEMO 11/26; TOI 11/27)

Israel’s transportation minister Merav Michaeli of Labor said she opposes the Jerusalem Cable Car project in East Jerusalem. The project has been condemned by Palestinians and Israelis and is set to have its final hearing of petitions against it at the Israeli high court of justice on 11/28. Transportation Minister Michaeli said the project does more scenic and political harm than it does good. (HA 11/26)

A bipartisan group of members of the House of Representatives led by Ritchie Torres (D-NY) sent a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission chairperson Gary Gensler asking him to review if Unilever is complying with US regulation after its subsidiary Ben & Jerry’s chose not to sell its products in West Bank settlements. (NYP 11/27; FOX 11/28)

The UK parliament approved UK home secretary Priti Patel’s decision to designate Hamas, in its entirety, as a terrorist organization. The UK said the designation was part of the country’s fight against anti-Semitism. The inclusion of Hamas in the Terrorism Act means that people expressing support for Hamas could face 10 years in prison. Both Hamas and the PA condemned Home Secretary Patel’s decision. (HA, MEMO, TOI 11/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers planted olive saplings on Palestinian-owned land in Tuqu‘. Israeli soldiers shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a late-night raid in Burqin; 2 others were injured. It was later revealed that the man was a member of Islamic Jihad. Israel claimed that the man was shooting at the Israeli troops with an improvised Carl Gustaf rifle. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during late-night raids in al-Azza refugee camp and Aida refugee camp, 1 on a street in the Old City in Hebron and 1 at Checkpoint 300. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian woman in the Old City, claiming she had tried to stab Israeli soldiers. Israel said Israeli soldiers had asked her to identify herself and started inspecting her belongings when she pulled a knife. 2 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian bird hunter east of Gaza City. Israeli forces also opened fire east of Beit Hanun; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/30; PCHR 10/1; PCHR 10/7)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas extended the COVID-19-related state of emergency by 30 days. The state of emergency has been in place since March 2020, when the pandemic hit Palestine. (WAFA 9/30)

In Lebanon, Hezbollah said it had shot down an Israeli drone in south Lebanon near Yater. Israel confirmed that 1 of its drones had “fell within Lebanese territory.” (HA 9/30)

Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid visited Bahrain, meeting with king Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and prime minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. During the trip, Foreign Minister Lapid inaugurated the new Israeli embassy in Manama. (AJ, AJ, ALM, HA, HA 9/30; ALM, HA 10/1)

The EU contributed $5.8 million to the UNRWA in support of vulnerable families in Gaza. (WAFA 9/30)

In the West Bank, an Israeli private security guard shot and killed 1 Palestinian woman at the Qalandia checkpoint, claiming she carried a knife and charged toward the checkpoint; it was reported that the Israeli forces let the woman bleed out. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 minors in Aida refugee camp, 1 at a checkpoint near Qalqilya, and 2 during late-night raids in Heron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers sprayed pepper spray at 2 Palestinian minors by the Jaffa Gate. 3 Palestinians were arrested by Israeli undercover forces in al-Tur. (AP, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/12; PCHR, WAFA 6/13; PCHR 6/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up sheds in Dayr Istya. Israeli settlers with military escort vandalized property in Burqin and Israeli forces attacked Palestinians when they tried to fend off the settlers, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian child and wounded dozens of others during a protest at a checkpoint in Bil‘in; Israel said that 2 Israeli soldiers were lightly injured. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian in Hebron, saying he was going to attack the soldiers. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Ramallah, killing 2 and injuring 64. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Qalqilya, injuring 12 with live ammunition and 20 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Ijza, injuring 3 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Nablus, injuring 11 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Atuf, injuring 11 with live ammunition. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Huwwara, injuring 1 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Nabi Salih, injuring 13 Palestinians with live ammunition. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Qiffin, injuring 1 Palestinian with live ammunition; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Anabta, injuring 2 with live ammunition and 3 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Fajjar, injuring 1 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Aida refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Dayr Sharaf, injuring 2 with live ammunition and 2 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Naqura, injuring 1 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries and a tear gas canister ignited a fire in a field. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Luban al-Sharqiyya, injuring 5 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Burqa, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Furik, injuring 3 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 1 with rubber-coated bullets; others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Qarawat Bani Hassan, injuring 1 with live ammunition. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at a checkpoint near Jenin, injuring 7 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Tuqu‘, leading to tear-gas related injuries. A total of 202 were reported injured during the protests in the West Bank. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Shaykh Jarrah and Bab al-Amud, injuring 41. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor in her back, fracturing her spine with a rubber-coated bullet, and injured her father with a rubber-coated bullet and stun grenade while they were inside their home in Shaykh Jarrah; a video shows the incident. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Silwan. In Gaza, 3 Palestinians were killed, including 1 child, and many were injured, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 216 to 219, including 63 children and 2 pregnant women. The casualties included: 1 in an air strike a house south of Gaza City; 1 of a heart attack during heavy bombardment of Rafah; and 1 Palestinian infant succumbed to her wounds sustained on 5/11 during an air strike on Gaza City that killed her father, mother, and sister. In Israel, Israeli police shot and seriously injured 1 Palestinian-Israeli minor who was sitting in a car with friends in Umm al-Fahm. Rockets fired from Gaza killed 2 Thai citizens working at a factory in Moshav Ohad, raising the Israeli death toll to 12. Israel also said it had destroyed 7.5 miles of Gaza tunnels overnight. 1 drone of unknown origin was shot down by Israeli forces near the northern part of the Israeli-Jordanian border. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/18; AX, CNN, HA, HA, HA, PCHR, PCHR, WAFA 5/19; PCHR 5/20; MEE 5/21; HA, NYT 5/26; HA 5/27)

Palestinians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza, and Israel observed a general strike in protest over evictions of Palestinians in East Jerusalem and the Israeli attacks on Gaza. (WAFA 5/18; HA 5/19)

A spokesperson for the health ministry in Gaza said that no more COVID-19 tests were being processed in Gaza due to an Israeli air strike destroying the sole COVID-19 test processing center. (AJ 5/18)

Israel opened the Kerem Shalom crossing and then closed it shortly after, citing Hamas’s shelling of the area. (AJ, AJ 5/18)

The Israeli high court of justice ruled that 1 Israeli settler must stop cultivating 170 dunams (42 acres) of land near Turmus ‘Ayya, saying the cultivation is illegal. The court, however, refused to rule on the ownership of the land, stating that the 8 Palestinian petitioners must obtain permission to farm the land from a different body as the court does not consider itself the proper venue for the question. (HA 5/23)

Israel’s Channel 12 said that an Egyptian truce proposal calling for an end to violence from 6 a.m. on 5/20 had been agreed to by Hamas. (AJ 5/19)

The Israeli police commissioner Kobi Shabtai was criticized by the public security minister Amir Ohana for saying that there “were terrorists from both sides [Jewish-Israeli and Palestinian-Israeli] and we will bring every one of them to justice.” (HA 5/18)

After saying that his committee would review a sale of arms to Israel on 5/17, chairman of the house of foreign affairs committee Gregory Meeks was said to have reversed course and that he is looking at discussing the arm sales with the Biden administration. The Biden administration had informed Congress on 5/4 that it would be selling Israel $735 million’s worth of precision-guided missiles. It was reported that Chairman Meeks had come under significant pressure after saying he would review the sale. Several other Democrats in the House have called for conditioning or ending military aid to Israel. (AJ, REU 5/17; ALM, HA, HA, MEE 5/18)

U.S. president Joe Biden joked, when asked by a journalist if he would answer a question about Israel, that she could ask a question if she let him run her over with the Ford F-150 he was sitting in. President Biden was visiting a Ford plant in Dearborn, Michigan. (FOX 5/18)

France called for the UN security council to agree on a resolution calling for a ceasefire. Prime minister Emmanuel Macron made the call after a meeting with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordanian king Abdullah II. (AJ, REU 5/18; AP, HA 5/19)

The EU foreign ministers met to discuss how to help facilitate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Hungary was said to have prevented consensus on a meaningful engagement. Separately, Germany said it would donate $48.9 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA 5/18; ALM 5/19)

The Egyptian presidency said it would give $500 million to help rebuild Gaza. (AJ 5/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians and critically injured a 3d after claiming that the 3 had opened fire at Israeli soldiers at an Israeli military installation near Jenin; no Israeli was reported injured. Israeli forces also assaulted Palestinian journalists trying to cover the incident and smashed 1 camera. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 1 with live ammunition; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also raided the home of an alleged attacker in Turmus ‘Ayya and took measurements for a punitive demolition. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during late-night raids in and around Aida refugee camp and al-‘Arub refugee camp, and 4 at checkpoints in Qalandia and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces attacked Palestinians at the Haram al-Sharif compound, wounding 205 Palestinians, including 88 who were hospitalized and 3 who lost eyes; 17 Israeli police officers were also reported injured. Israeli forces threw stun grenades inside of al-Aqsa Mosque. 17 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City and Shaykh Jarrah. In Gaza, Israel said incendiary balloons from Gaza had started 7 fires in Israel. (AA, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, MEE, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/7; AJ, MEE, PCHR 5/8; HA 5/10; PCHR 5/11; MEE 5/21; HA 5/31)

The High Follow-up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel called on Palestinians in Israel to support Palestinians in East Jerusalem after the Israeli attacks on worshipers at the Haram al-Sharif compound and on protesters in Shaykh Jarrah. (MEMO, WAFA 5/8)

The Kahanist lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir from the Otzma Jehudit (Jewish Power) party closed his makeshift office on the opposite side of the street from where Palestinians have been eating iftar meals in protest over Israeli threats of evicting Palestinian families in Shaykh Jarrah. Ben-Gvir said he closed the office after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had requested he do so. (HA 5/7)

Palestinians reported that information shared about Shaykh Jarrah had been censored by social media companies like Instagram and Twitter and in some instances, Palestinian accounts sharing information about Shaykh Jarrah had been closed by the companies. Instagram and Twitter later blamed technical errors for the problem. (AJ, MEE 5/7; HA 5/10; AJ 5/11; HUFF 5/12)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas condemned the Israeli aggression in Jerusalem, saying he has called on the PA ambassador to the UN to request an emergency session at the UN security council. (WAFA 5/7)

A Saudi official confirmed that Iran and Saudi Arabia are in direct talks to resolve the issues between the 2 countries. (HA 5/7; MEMO 5/8)

The U.S. issued a statement saying that the country “is extremely concerned about ongoing confrontations in Jerusalem, including the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount and in Sheikh Jarrah, which have reportedly resulted in scores of injured people . . . It is absolutely critical that all sides exercise restraint, refrain from provocative actions and rhetoric, and preserve the historic status quo on the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount—in word and in practice.” The UN also warned Israel that forced evictions of Palestinians in East Jerusalem could amount to war crimes. (AJ 5/7; HA, WAFA 5/8)

U.S. senators Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) and representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Andy Levin (D-MI), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) called on Israel not to evict Palestinians from their homes in Shaykh Jarrah. Representatives Marie Newman (D-IL) and Mark Pocan (D-WI) circulated a letter in congress calling on secretary of state Antony Blinken to pressure Israel not to move forward with the eviction and to stop home demolitions in al-Bustan. (HA, MEE 5/7; HA 5/8; WAFA 5/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces claimed that it had stopped 2 stabbing attempts, including 1 in Tubas where 1 Palestinian man was shot after allegedly trying to stab a soldier. WAFA reported that the man was shot during a late-night raid and was in serious condition; and in a settlement outpost where 1 Palestinian woman allegedly tried to stab 1 settler before being arrested. Israeli forces also shot with live ammunition and injured 2 Palestinian minors during a raid in al-Khadir; 1 was reported in serious condition and the other in moderate condition. Israeli forces claimed the 2 had thrown Molotov cocktails at the forces. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided the offices of the Palestinian Health Work Committees in Ramallah, seizing computers; 2 were arrested. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest against settlement expansion south of Hebron, injuring 1 with a tear gas canister while others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces demolished 1 house under construction and a water well in Bani Na‘im and delivered a stop-work order for 3 houses under construction in Zawata. 13 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, al-‘Arub refugee camp, Hebron, Tuqu‘, Aida refugee camp, Tubas, and Bayt Duqqu. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian man died in a fire in Kafr Aqab after Israeli forces held up Israeli fire trucks at the Qalandia checkpoint, saying they had to wait for military escort; Kafr Aqab is located in the Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem municipality, but on the West Bank side of the separation wall. Israeli police prevented Palestinians from holding an event celebrating International Women’s Day in al-Tur, arresting 2 women and seizing clothes and other material on display; Israeli police said the event was arranged by the PA. Israel considers PA activity in East Jerusalem illegal. 4 Palestinians were also arrested in Shu‘fat refugee camp. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (ALM, HA, HA, HA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/8; HA 3/9; PCHR 3/11)

Israel began vaccinating Palestinians in the West Bank who hold Israeli work permits against the COVID-19 virus. Israel has allocated enough doses for 120,000 Palestinian workers. (HA, WAPO 3/8)

Hezbollah said that it and Lebanese forces in 2 separate incidents had intercepted Israeli drones flying over Lebanese air space. (HA 3/9)

In Lebanon, protests continued for the 7th day in a row as the Lebanese financial crisis continued to worsen and the country’s political crisis remained unresolved. (AJ, HA, REU 3/8)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian woman was killed by Israeli forces using live ammunition by a checkpoint in Qalandia after allegedly trying to stab an Israeli soldier. Israeli forces also chopped down more than 100 olive trees in Burqin, delivered stop-work orders for a number of houses under construction in Barta‘a, razed 145 dunams (35.8 acres) of agricultural land for expansion of the Karni Shomron settlement near Qalqilya, and demolished 2 agricultural structures in Atuf in the Jordan Valley. 2 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 during a late-night raid in Aida refugee camp and 1 at a checkpoint near Jaba‘. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces handed demolition orders for several homes in Issawiyya. In Gaza, 7 Palestinians were injured after rockets fired from Gaza landed inside the territory. Separately, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural land east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (AJ, HA, HA, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/18; PCHR 9/19)

A day after the general elections in Israel, it remained unclear which of the 2 top contenders, Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz, would be able to form a government coalition. (AJ, HA 9/18)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian approaching them at a checkpoint nr. Tulkarm. They also conduct raids in Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents; there are no serious injuries. The IDF arrests 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Qalqilya, and patrols nr. Qalqilya, Hebron, Salfit, and Ramallah during the day. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian cars driving between Ramallah and Nablus, damaging 10 and injuring 1 driver. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct raids in Hizma, arresting 1 Palestinian and sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents; there are no serious injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel nr. Dayr al-Balah. (MNA, PNN 1/30; PCHR 2/2)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 3d day in a row. (MNA 1/31)

Israel’s ruling coalition postpones until 2/6 a Knesset vote on the new draft of the so-called regulations bill, which would retroactively authorize illegal settlement outposts in the West Bank. (HA, JP 1/30; TOI, YA 1/31)

The White House announces that U.S. pres. Trump and Israeli PM Netanyahu have arranged to hold their first official meeting on 2/15. Netanyahu later says that he plans to coordinate policy on Iran’s ballistic missile program with Trump, responding to reports of Iran conducting a missile test on 1/29. (HA, JP, TOI 1/30)

In the West Bank IDF troops arrest a Palestinian youth at Qalandia checkpoint nr. Jerusalem after he allegedly attempts to stab an Israeli soldier (no one is injured). Israeli settlers chase down and detain a Palestinian youth at a gas station outside the Givat Ze’ev settlement nr. Jerusalem after he allegedly stabs and seriously injures a settler. Meanwhile, IDF troops conduct late-night raids and house searches in 2 villages nr. Hebron, 2 nr. Ramallah, Aida r.c. and 1 village nr. Bethlehem, and Tulkarm, arresting 9 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 1. Also, the IDF maintains its lockdown on Bayt ‘Ur al-Tahta village where 1 of the Palestinians allegedly responsible for the 1/25 stabbing attack was from. Off Gaza’s n. coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on and arrest 4 fishermen and confiscate their boat (there are no injuries). In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a home under construction in Jabal Mukabir and another one in Shu‘fat. They also arrest 10 Palestinians during late-night raids in the Old City, Shu‘fat, and Issawiyya. (HA, JP, MNA, YA 1/27; HA, MNA, PCHR 1/28; PCHR 2/4)

Israel’s High Court of Justice rejects a Palestinian Prisoners’ Society petition calling for the immediate release of administrative detainee al-Qiq, who has been on hunger strike for more than 60 days. (SAM 1/28; ADM 2/23)

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Hebron and 2 villages nearby, 2 villages nr. Jenin, 2 nr. Tulkarm, and Aida r.c. and 1 village nr. Bethlehem, arresting 9 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 5; patrol in 6 villages nr. Hebron. PASF troops block Palestinian protesters from reaching an Israeli checkpoint outside a settlement nr. Ramallah. Some of the protesters march to a nearby settlement, sparking minor clashes with the IDF; there are no serious injuries. (MNA 12/30; PCHR 12/31, 1/7)

Several family mbrs. of Palestinians killed in recent confrontations with the IDF publish an open letter on social media stating their refusal to the Israeli authorities’ offered terms for returning their relatives’ bodies. The Israeli authorities have reportedly demanded that the families agree to bury their relatives at night, immediately after they receive their bodies, to prevent mass funerals and further violence. (MNA 12/30)

The Israeli cabinet unanimously approves a NIS 15 b. (around $3.85 b.) plan for the social and economic development of the so-called Arab minority municipalities in Israel, specifically focusing on housing, transportation, education, and health. Arab members of Knesset (MKs) criticize the plan for being inadequate. (JP 12/30; HA, YA 12/31)

A total of 3 Palestinians are killed across the oPt today. First, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian driver in Silwad after she allegedly attempts to ram them. During Friday demonstrations in Gaza, 1 Palestinian is killed by live fire in Shuja‘iya when IDF troops violently disperse protesters, marking the 3d Friday in a row a Gaza protester has been killed. Friday demonstrations also take place in 5 areas nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih, Jalazun r.c. and outside Ofer Prison), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem, at a checkpoint nr. Nablus, in 3 villages nr. Hebron, and in 3 other areas along Gaza’s border; 36 are injured (a 3d Palestinian will succumb to his injuries on 12/28). IDF troops conduct latenight house searches and raids in 1 village each nr. Bethlehem and Hebron, issuing arrest summons to 3 Palestinians; patrol in 6 villages nr. Salfit and 1 nr. Hebron. Palestinian youths throw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed outside Qalandia r.c. nr. Ramallah and outside a village nr. Jerusalem, sparking minor clashes wherein 3 Palestinians are injured. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion e. of Bayt Hanun to level land. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI 12/ 25; JP 12/26; MNA, TOI 12/28; MNA 12/29; PCHR 12/31; EI 1/1)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian nr. al-Ibrahimi Mosque in c. Hebron on suspicion that she was planning a stabbing attack. The IDF violently disperses Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters in 2 areas nr. Qalqilya, injuring 2 Palestinians. Israeli forces raid 2 printing offices in Hebron late at night, confiscating equipment on the grounds that it was used to publish inciting materials. The IDF has also closed 3 Hebron radio stations in the last mo. (11/3, 11/21, 11/28) for alleged incitement. The IDF conducts late-night raids and house searches in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, a suburb of Tulkarm, Hebron and 1 village nearby, 1 village nr. Jenin, 2 nr. Bethlehem, and in Aida r.c, arresting 12 Palestinians, issuing arrest summons to 3, and confiscating personal property; patrols in 8 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron. IDF troops assault a Palestinian at a checkpoint nr. Tulkarm for returning from Israel without a work permit. Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian bus driver s. of Jerusalem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 6 Palestinian pedestrians in al-Tur and the Old City. (JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 12/5; TOI, WAFA 12/6; PCHR 12/10)

The wave of small-scale violence and stabbing attacks continues in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. An Israeli security guard shoots and kills a Palestinian after he allegedly attempts to stab him nr. the Old City. A 2d Palestinian is lightly injured by errant fire. Israeli forces then raid the Palestinian’s home in Issawiyya, arresting his father and 3 brothers. Around the same time, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian youth after he and a 2d Palestinian youth stab and injure an Israeli security guard on the Jerusalem Light Rail nr. Shu‘fat r.c.; both youths are arrested. Nr. Bethlehem, Israeli soldiers shoot and kill 2 Palestinians at a checkpoint and 2 others in an Israeli settlement nr. Bethlehem after they allegedly attempt to stab Israeli soldiers and settlers. (HA, MNA, WAFA 11/10; PCHR 11/12)

Meanwhile in the oPt, Israeli forces assault and arrest 4 Palestinian youths in Issawiyya. IDF troops patrol in c. Hebron, sparking clashes with stone-throwers (several Palestinians are lightly injured); surround a school in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, fire tear gas onto the grounds, and open fire on a number of Palestinian youths (2 are injured). IDF troops clash with and disperse Palestinians protesting in c. Hebron, w. of Tulkarm, and in Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem (2 Palestinians are seriously injured); conduct late-night house searches and raids in 1 neighborhood in East Jerusalem, 3 villages nr. Hebron, arresting 11 Palestinians. Israeli forces demolish 3 wells, a shed, and a water tank in a village nr. Jenin. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 11/10; AP, JP, MNA 11/11; PCHR 11/12)

PA pres. Abbas instructs the PA’s Foreign Ministry to prepare a file of evidence on Israel’s 10/12 arrest and subsequent treatment of a Palestinian youth for submission to the ICC. A video depicting Israeli interrogators verbally abusing the youth was published on 11/9, prompting criticism. (TOI, WAFA 11/11; HA 11/12)

Off the coast of Gaza nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces fire warning shots at Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries. Earlier, Israeli authorities return 19 confiscated fishing boats to Palestinian fishermen. IDF troops on the border e. of Khuza‘a open fire on 4 Palestinian children approaching the border fence, injuring 2. In the West Bank, IDF troops fire percussion grenades and tear gas canisters at a Palestinian funeral procession nr. Hebron, causing no serious injuries; conduct late-night raids in Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem and 1 village nr. Ramallah, assaulting several Palestinians, arresting 6, and confiscating property; patrol in 2 villages nr. Hebron. Israeli forces confiscate property and demolish Palestinian fruit stands along bypass road Route 60 nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces set up a mobile checkpoint in al-Suwana, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; 3 Palestinians are arrested. In the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, more than 100 Druze protesters block and attack an ambulance with stones, then assault the 2 injured Syrian rebels and 2 Israeli soldiers who were transferring them to hospital; 1 of the Syrian men is killed. Druze protesters stop another ambulance carrying wounded Syrians to hospital earlier in the day, but there are no injuries. (MNA, NYT 6/22; AFP, HA, MNA 6/23; PCHR 6/25)

The UNHRC’s commission of inquiry into alleged war crimes committed during OPE publishes its report, finding “substantial information pointing to the possible commission of war crimes by both Israel and Palestinian armed groups”. The report is set to be officially filed with the UNHRC on 6/29. (AFP, HA, NYT, TOI, UNHRC, WAFA, YA 6/22; YA 6/23; HA 6/24)

The Israeli atty. gen.’s office announces that the state will amend the proposed bill allowing the force-feeding of hunger-striking prisoners that was approved by the Israeli cabinet on 6/14. In response to complaints from civil society organizations, the softer version of the bill only allows force-feeding if “there is a real possibility that within a short time the prisoner is at risk of death or irreversible disability.” (HA 6/23)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian teenager dies on her way to hospital after being delayed by a closed Israeli checkpoint en route to Bethlehem. Separately, Palestinians and Israeli soldiers clash at the entrance to Aida r.c. in Bethlehem, with 3 Palestinians injured, including 1 by live ammunition. An Israeli toddleris injured when unknown attackers stone the car she was traveling in, nr. Sur al-Bahir. Meanwhile, around 150 Jewish settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles nr. Bethlehem, causing damage but no injuries. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Ramallah at night; patrols in Hebron and nearby al-‘Arub r.c. and 2 villages (clashes in all of the above), and 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in 1 village each nr. Hebron, Jenin and Tulkarm at night. (HA, MNA 11/28; PCHR 12/5)

Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics publishes data revealing that the number of West Bank settler housing starts grew by 132% in the 1st 9 mos. of 2013, compared with the same time period in 2012. (JP 11/28)

Yukiya Amano, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), says that Iran has invited the agency to inspect the Arak heavy-water production plan on 12/8, as part of the new 6-mo. interim deal. Amano also says that the IAEA will need more money to verify the implementation of the deal. (AP, REU 11/28)

An Islamic Jihad suicide bomber fr. Kefar Rai (btwn. Jenin and Tulkarm) detonates a device outside a shopping mall in Netanya, killing 5 Israelis, wounding 31 (4 seriously). Islamic Jihad says the attack is retaliation for the IDF’s 10/24 assassination of 2 of its leaders. The IDF immediately imposes closures on the West Bank and shuts pedestrian crossings in Gaza (keeping the Qarni crossing open for goods); announces that it is preparing for a wide-scale retaliation operation in northern Gaza and will step up assassinations and arrest campaigns in the West Bank, with DM Mofaz stating that the IDF had “decided to operate in a much broader, much deeper and more intensive manner against the Islamic Jihad infrastructure” and would make an effort to keep fr. drawing Hamas into the fighting. Later in the evening, the Israeli security cabinet authorizes the IDF to “adopt a harsher response” to rocket fire fr. Gaza, targeting built-up areas of Gaza as well as launch sites in uninhabited areas. During the day, the IDF also shells uninhabited areas in n. Gaza and in s. Gaza nr. Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries; makes 5 mock air raids over Gaza, breaking the sound barrier; fires on residential areas of Aida r.c., wounding 2 Palestinians; conducts arrest raids in and around Hebron and in Bethlehem, Jenin (targeting Hamas, including detaining 2 candidates in the 12/15 municipal elections, 1 candidate in the 1/25 parliamentary elections), Ramallah; bulldozes 5 d. of Palestinian land in Silwan for construction of a parking lot for Jewish settlers. Palestinians throw 2 pipe bombs at an IDF patrol nr. Bethlehem and fire on an IDF checkpoint nr. Nablus, causing no damage or injuries. PA police fire at Palestinians in Jenin rallying in support of the Netanya bombing. Israeli police round up another 500 Palestinians working in Israel without permits (see 12/4). (BBC, HA, IDF Radio, IMEMC, XIN, YA 12/5; CSM, DS, HA, IMEMC, JAZ, NYT, REU, WP, WT, YA 12/6; AFP, PCHR 12/8)

An IDF soldier, who deserted 2 mos. ago to protest disengagement and moved to the right-wing West Bank settlement of Tapuach, boards a Haifa–Shafa‘ Amr bus, still dressed in fatigues and carrying his military issue weapon; when the bus enters the Israeli Palestinian town of Shafa ‘Amr, the driver asks him whether he’s on the right bus; the soldier then shoots the Israeli Palestinian driver dead and opens fire on the passengers, killing another 3 Israeli Palestinians, wounding 20 before a mob beats him to death. Sharon denounces the “reprehensible act by a bloodthirsty Jewish terrorist”; YESHA settlers council also condemns the attack; the U.S. terms it a “terrible act of terrorism.” In Gaza City, the PA opens (symbolically on Arafat’s birthday) a 2-wk. “victory festival” to celebrate the pending disengagement and a wk.-long UNDP-funded publicity campaign called “Gaza—Reclaiming our Gem”; 10,000s of Palestinians, predominantly Fatah supporters, rally outside Gaza’s PC headquarters to hear speeches by Abbas, Qurai‘, Dahlan, who emphasize national unity, call on Palestinians not to take any actions that would jeopardize the national image, emphasize that the world is watching how Palestinians react to disengagement and assume responsibility for Gaza. The IDF raids Ramallah, arrests Islamic Jihad spokesman Shaykh Khadir ‘Adnan; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Aida r.c. (arresting a PA security officer), Bayt Fajjar, Hebron (occupying 2 houses as observation posts), al-Til, Yatta; patrols in Bethlehem; arrests a PA security officer at a checkpoint outside Jerusalem. A Jewish settler fr. Neve Dekalim throws a Molotov cocktail at a Palestinian home in al-Mawasi, causing damage but no injuries. Israel announces plans to build 72 new housing units in Beitar Ilit settlement nr. Jerusalem. A Palestinian dies of injures received on 8/2 in Bayt Hanun. (IMEMC, HA, REU, YA 8/4; AFP, BBC, JAZ, MA, NYT, WP, WT, YA 8/5; VOP 8/5 in WNC 8/5; NYT, WP, WT 8/6; OCHA, PR 8/10; PCHR 8/11)

The BBC reports that papers in the British National Archives show that in 1958, Britain secretly sold Israel 20 tons of heavy water vital for production of plutonium and the manufacture of nuclear weapons at its Dimona reactor. No “peaceful use only” condition was placed on the sale. (BBC 8/4) The World Bank releases a report showing Israel to be 2d only to Italy as the most corrupt, least efficient of developed countries. The report states that “Israel is considered one of the riskiest places in the Western world, with an unstable, inefficient regime, low accountability, a relative high rate of state corruption, and poor law enforcement.” (HA 8/4)

The IDF declares Gaza settlements closed military zones so that they may bar and remove from them any nonresident Israelis protesting disengagement, then evicts 150 right-wing Israeli disengagement protesters (mostly West Bank settlers, many aligned with the outlawed Kach movement) fr. an abandoned hotel in s. Gaza that they have been occupying for 1 mo.; detains, handcuffs for several hrs. 2 Israeli journalists covering the evictions. The IDF sends troops into Balata r.c., Nablus after Palestinians stating they are mbrs. of the AMB–Ayman Juda Brigade falsely claim to have captured 2 IDF undercover soldiers who entered the city; troops clash with stone-throwing Palestinians who confront them (leaving 7 Palestinians, 1 IDF soldier injured), detain and beat 2 Palestinian journalists covering the incursion; the AMB, Islamic Jihad deny involvement. The IDF fires on residential areas of Dura; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Hebron, 3 in Yatta, all bordering Jewish settlements; occupies 2 Palestinian homes nr. Tulkarm, 1 in Jenin as observation posts; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Aida r.c., Bayt Fajjar, Hebron. An Israeli naval vessel fires on a Palestinian fishing boat off Gaza, wounding 1 fisherman. Jewish settlers fr. Gush Katif attack Palestinian traders, farmers waiting nr. the Tuffah checkpoint n. of Gaza City; the IDF intervenes, disperses the settlers. Nr. Nablus, 5 Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar throw stones at a Palestinian taxi. Hamas fires a Qassam rocket at Neve Dekalim, causing no damage or injuries. (BBC, WAFA, XIN 6/30; VOI, VOP 6 /30 in WNC 7/2; IMEMC, NYT, WP, WT 7/1; HA 7/3; OCHA, PR 7/6; PCHR 7/7)

The IDF uncovers, demolishes a tunnel leading fr. Khan Yunis to Neve Dekalim settlement, passing under an IDF checkpoint; fires on residential areas of Aida r.c.; raids, occupies 5 houses outside Hebron, 4 outside Tulkarm as observation posts. Islamic Jihad fires 4 mortars at Gaza’s Morag settlement, causing no damage or injuries. Hamas fires 3 Qassam rockets at Sederot; 2 hit inside Gaza, causing no damage or injuries; the 3d does not fire. Jewish settlers occupy a 3-story Palestinian building nr. the site of beachfront buildings demolished by the IDF on 6/26, declare establishment of a new unauthorized settlement outpost, Tal Yam. Jewish settlers fr. Efrat occupy a Palestinian home nr. the s. entrance to Bethlehem, are evicted by the IDF. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba throw stones, Molotov cocktails at a house and farm, causing damage, burning several trees. As many as 40,000 Israeli motorists protesting the government’s disengagement plans pull over to the side of the road and pause for 15 mins. during rush hour, creating traffic tie-ups. (HA, REU, XIN 6/27; PCHR, WT 6/28; OCHA 6/29; PHRC 6/30)

The IDF tightens roadblocks btwn. Jerusalem, Ramallah; imposes a curfew on Silwad nr. Ramallah; shoots, wounds a mentally handicapped Palestinian who strays into a closed military zone nr. Morag; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron, and in Aida r.c., Balata r.c., Bayt Rima and Dayr Ghassana nr. Ramallah, Madama nr. Nablus, Salfit; begins work on new segments of the separation wall running s. of Hebron and btwn. East Jerusalem and the Qalandia checkpoint s. of Ramallah, bulldozing 500 d.; reportedly bulldozes large areas in Wadi al-Malih in the n. Jordan Valley. Palestinians in Nablus report that the IDF is digging a trench 3 m deep and 4 m wide to encircle Salim, Azmut, Dayr Hatab, Bayt Dajan, and Bayt Furik villages (combined population 30,000); 3 km have been completed. Armed Palestinians calling themselves the Fatah Fighters kidnap the PA’s security dir. for the Rafah checkpoint Saad al-Sayfan, accusing him of corruption. 15 armed Palestinians occupy the Khan Yunis governate building for 2 hrs., demand that the PA compensate local Palestinians who have lost their homes to IDF bulldozing. Palestinians fire 5 mortars at Gush Katif, causing no damage or injuries. A PA court in Gaza opens a trial against 7 alleged collaborators, including Muhammad and Rami Abu Qaynas, accused of providing Israel with information used to assassinate Hamas leader ‘Abd al-‘Aziz Rantisi on 4/17/04. ( JAZ 9/5; MENA 9/5 in WNC 9/7; VOI 9/6 in WNC 9/8; PR 9/8; PCHR 9/9; PR 9/15)

The IDF catches a 16-yr.-old Palestinian boy wearing a suicide bomb at a checkpoint s. of Nablus, defuses the bomb, detains the boy; the Balata r.c. AMB takes responsibility, angering many Palestinians. The IDF also sends 25 tanks, bulldozers into Khan Yunis to raze 5 farms, 7 Palestinian homes that allegedly “provided cover” for Palestinian gunmen, also demolishing a main road and effectively dividing the town in half; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Hebron (wounding 8), residential areas nr. Qalqilya; conducts arrest raids in Aida r.c., ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’a r.c., Balata r.c., Dahaysha r.c., Jayyus, Nablus, Tubas nr. Jenin; temporarily occupies a Palestinian home nr. Nablus as an observation post. Palestinian gunmen fire on an IDF patrol outside Gaza’s Gadid settlement, lightly injuring 1 soldier; also fire on IDF soldiers nr. Ramallah, nr. Netzarim settlement, causing no damage or injuries. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 2/11. (BBC, HA, REU, WT 3/24; VOP 3/24 in WNC 3/26; MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 3/25; AYM 3/26 in WNC 3/30; PR 3/31; PCHR 4/1; MEI 4/2; PR 4/7)

In Washington, Weisglass, Eiland present U.S. officials (including Rice) Sharon’s “preferred plan” for unilateral disengagement fr. Gaza plus 6 settlements in the West Bank (Ganim, Hermesh, Homesh, Mevo Dotan, Qadim, Sa-Nur). (MM 3/24; MM 3/26; HA 3/28)

The IDF fires on Palestinians waiting to cross an IDF checkpoint w. of Nablus, killing 1  Palestinian; conducts house-to-house searches, arrests in Aida r.c., Bayt Umar, Bethlehem, Jit, Tal, Tubas, Tulkarm; raids, fires on residential areas of Rafah, Nablus, Nur al-Shams r.c., Tulkarm; bulldozes 14 dunams of land s. of Dayr al-Balah; raids the al-Ihsan charitable society, Hebron University dean’s offices in Hebron, confiscating computers, files; forces at gunpoint a 24-yr.-old Palestinian to undress in the main street of Nablus, bark like a dog. Late in the evening, the IDF sends 10s of tanks, armored person-nel carriers (APCs) into Qalqilya, imposes a curfew, raids Waqf offices, conducts arrest raids targeting Popular Front for the Lib-eration of Palestine (PFLP) mbrs. The UN sends an envoy to the West Bank to investigate the 11/22 death of a UNRWA official, new charges (11/23) by Israel that Palestinian gunmen were firing from inside the UNRWA’s Jenin r.c. compound, prompting the IDF gunfire. (NYT, WT 11/25; WT 11//26; LAW, PCHR 11/27)

Before dawn, the IDF reoccupies Askar r.c., Balata r.c., Camp No. 1, Nablus, Tulkarm town and r.c.; reinforces troops around Hebron; imposes 24-hr. curfews on Aida r.c., Awarta, Bayt Furik, Bayt Jala, Dayr al-Ghusun, Hawara, Jarushiyya, al-Khadir, Sayta, Shuwayka, al-Til. In Jenin, troops blow up a building, also collapsing a house next door, killing 1 Palestinian boy. Later, an IDF tank opens fire with shells, machine guns on a crowded market in Jenin, killing 4 Palestinians, injuring 26 among 100s who had gathered to shop, believing that the IDF had eased the curfew; 20 cars, 30 stores are also destroyed. (In another neighborhood, 2 children playing in front of their home are killed when the IDF fires a tank round to break up a crowd "violating the curfew," which residents thought had been lifted.) In Shaykh Ajlin, the IDF opens fire on a group of Palestinian children and an AP reporter, killing 1 Palestinian boy. In Gaza, Palestinians fire an anti-tank rocket at an IDF post, seriously injuring 1 soldier; the IDF demolishes a naval police post, bulldozes 4.5 dunams of Palestinian land in response. Nr. Erez crossing, a Palestinian throws a grenade at an IDF checkpoint, causing no damage or injuries; the IDF fatally shoots him, also killing 2 Palestinian laborers waiting to cross the checkpoint. Following a funeral settlers killed on 6/20, Jewish settlers attack the Palestinian village of Hawara (see 6/17), killing 1 Palestinian, firing on and throwing rocks at buildings, setting a car and shop ablaze, attacking journalists. (AP, LAW, WP 6/21; XIN 6/21, MA 6/23 in WNC 6/24; NYT, UPMRC, WP, WT 6/22; HP 6/23; PRCS press release 6/24; LAW 6/26; PCHR 6/27; MEI 6/28; HA 7/2; BBC, HA 7/5)

The Israeli inner cabinet agrees in principle to expel the families of Palestinian suicide bombers fr. the West Bank to Gaza as a "disincentive for attackers." (NYT, WP, WT 6/22; HP, JPI, NYT 6/23; MM 6/24, 6/27; MEI 6/28)

Early this morning, IDF helicopters, tanks attack the PSF West Bank headquarters in Beitunia, where some 200 PSF officers and staff have encamped since 3/30, setting the building ablaze. The CIA intervenes to secure the safe evacuation of the staff, surrender of 180 officers, but some refuse to leave. In Ramallah, the IDF continues house-to-house searches, stumbling upon 22 PSF officers hiding in an apartment, fatally shooting 2 though none resist arrest; raids, shuts Ramallah's al-Quds Educational TV, arresting 2 employees; revokes the credentials of 2 Abu Dhabi TV journalists, threatens legal action against CNN and NBC for broadcasting fr. Ramallah; confiscates 3 ambulances, detains 9 paramedics. PRCS suspends services in Ramallah, noting the IDF now has 15 medical workers in custody. This afternoon, the IDF lifts the Ramallah curfew for 3 hrs. so residents can buy food, bury those killed since 3/29 (bodies have been double-stacked in morgues, with no electricity). In Bethlehem, IDF troops order all men age 14-45 to surrender; fight their way to the doorway of the Church of the Nativity, where some 200 Palestinian gunmen, civilians have now sought refuge; fire on 20 journalists on the balcony of the Star Hotel, injuring 1; fire a warning shot at a clearly marked Reuters car. Palestinians also take refuge in Bethlehem's Omar Mosque, Santa Maria Church, the Russian Orthodox Church and hospice; the IDF surrounds those holy sites, occupies Bethlehem University as its main staging area. In Aida and Dahaysha, the IDF orders Palestinian women age 15-25, men age 14-45 to surrender. A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a device at an IDF checkpoint into Jerusalem, killing only himself, causing no injuries. At least 7 Palestinians are killed today, including 2 motorists ambushed by settler vigilante group Tears of the Orphans and Martyrs (see 3/5) nr. Tulkarm, a mother and son shot by the IDF and allowed bleed to death, a woman shot dead by an IDF sniper as she left a Ramallah hospital (troops fire on medical workers attempting to retrieve her body). 3 Israelis injured in the 3/27 Netanya attack die, bringing the toll of the bombing to 23; 1 Israeli injured in the 3/31 Haifa attack dies, bringing that toll to 16. Israel expands its list of "wanted" Palestinians to include some of Arafat's top aides, including intelligence chief Tawfiq Tirawi, PSF 2d in command in Gaza Rashid Abu Shabak, Fatah tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti, but not PSF heads Dahlan or Rajub. (AP, HA, PRCS press release, NYT, WP, WT 4/2; MENA 4/2 in WNC 4/3; NYT, WP, WT 4/3; WP 4/4; QA 4/4 in WNC 4/5; MEI 4/5)

Sharon tells envoys of EU, Russia, UN they may meet with Arafat if they agree to escort him into exile. Peres proposes that Arafat "voluntarily" leave the territories asylum in foreign country. (AP, HA, MM 4/2; AFP 4/2 in WNC 4/3; NYT, WP 4/3)

With Passover past and 20,000 reserves fully mobilized, the IDF reoccupies Bethlehem, setting up a cordon 500 yards fr. the Church of the Nativity, surrounding the PSF West Bank headquarters, declaring a 24-hr. curfew, firing warning shots at a BBC camera crew. The IDF also sends troops into Aida, Dahaysha, Tulkarm; reinforces troops in Qalqilya, beginning house-to-house searches. In Ramallah, the IDF continues rounding up Palestinian men, saying since 3/29, it has detained 700 (10 of them "wanted" men) and seized 19 rifles, 4 pipe bombs, 2 mortars, a "small number of assorted ordnance"; raids, vandalizes, confiscates files fr. more public, private offices; ejects a 6-person CBS news team fr. the city; fires on a clearly marked NBC TV vehicle. The PRCS says that the IDF has halted coordination efforts that guarantee the safe movement of ambulances, medical workers. In Bayt Jala, 100 Palestinians and foreign peace activists hold a nonviolent march to an IDF checkpoint, where troops open fire in front of them with live ammunition fr. tank-mounted machine guns, wounding 7 foreigners, 1 Palestinian TV cameraman. In total, 13 Palestinians are killed during the day, including an 11-yr.-old boy shot by the IDF in Gaza. A Palestinian sniper kills 1 Jewish settler in Har Homa. A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a car bomb at a checkpoint btwn. East and West Jerusalem, killing 1 Israeli police officer. Palestinian gunmen kill 11 Palestinian collaborators, taking most of them fr. PA jails. Palestinians across the territories hold solidarity rallies to protest Israeli actions. (JP [Internet], NYT, PRCS press release, WP 4/1; al-Quds 4/1, AFP 4/2 in WNC 4/3; AFP, AN, ATL, IRNA, MENA, SA 4/1 in WNC 4/1; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/2; MEI 4/5)

Israel-Palestinian clashes in the Bayt Jala-Gilo area continue to escalate, spread to neighboring Aida refugee camp, leaving 13 Palestinians wounded. European Union (EU) foreign policy dir. Javier Solana shuttles btwn. Arafat and Peres, discussing the idea of a limited cease-fire that would incorporate an IDF withdrawal fr. the area. (Arafat, Peres speak directly by phone; Powell phones Sharon, Arafat.) This afternoon, the PSF sets up new roadblocks around Bayt Jala to deter Palestinian gunmen fr. entering. After 5 hrs. without gunfire, the IDF begins to leave Bayt Jala. Solana urges Arafat, Peres to discuss expanding the Bayt Jala-Gilo understandings into a full cease-fire. (BDL, HP, MM 8/29; MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/30; WJW 9/6)

Meanwhile, the settler group, the Committee for Road Safety, fatally shoots a Palestinian in the West Bank. Nr. Tulkarm, tanzim mbrs. fatally shoot an Israeli civilian; the IDF fires on Palestinians, killing 1, wounding 4. The IDF also sends tanks into Rafah; bulldozes 2 Palestinian homes, agricultural land in Dayr al-Balah; reinforces tanks, bulldozers outside Khan Yunis; demolishes a PSF post, erects a new IDF checkpoint on the Rafah-Khan Yunis road. 15 Jewish settlers (mostly women and children) attack Palestinian vendors in the Hebron market; IDF soldiers watch but do not intervene. (HP 8/29; HP, NYT, WP, WT 8/30)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. In Nablus, IDF soldiers assassinate senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Anwar Mahmud Hamran. A 2d Palestinian dies of wounds received earlier. Jews settlers stone Palestinian cars outside Ofra settlement, destroy several Palestinian cars in Hawara, bulldoze 7 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Khan Yunis. Israel moves the Beitar Forest checkpoint marking the Green Line btwn. West Bank, Israel 300 m. to the east, effectively annexing a 5-dunam area to Israel. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas in Aida, Bayt Jala (damaging 8 homes), Bayt Jibrin, Dahaysha camp, al-Khadir, Khan Yunis (cutting off electricity), Rafah; bulldozes Palestinian land nr. Dugit and Gush Katif settlements, Nablus, Ramallah. (LAW 12/11; BDL, NYT, WT 12/12; PCHR 12/18; HA 12/19; JP 12/22; WJW 12/28)

Israeli FM Ben-Ami flies to Paris to meet with 1 or more senior Arab officials in advance of U.S. special envoy Ross's meeting with Arafat in Rabat tomorrow. (MA [Internet], MM, NYT, WT 12/12; MA [Internet] 12/13; JT [Internet] 12/14; NYT 12/15)