The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Qaryut. Israeli settlers also vandalized Palestinian property, including water tanks, solar panels, and a vehicle in al-Rakiz and al-Mafqara in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces shot and killed 6 Palestinians during raids in Halhul, Beit Fajjar, and Tulkarm. Israeli forces also shot and injured 8 Palestinian during raids in al-Khader, Tulkarm, Ya’bad, Beit Fajjar, and Halhul. Elsewhere, Israeli forces assaulted 1 Palestinian in ‘Azzun. 70 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Dura, Nabi Salih, Qalqilya, Shu’fat refugee camp, ‘Anata, Hebron, and Nablus, including prominent activist Ahed Tamimi and senior Fatah member Marouf Rifai. The Palestinian Prisoners Commission said 2,150 Palestinians have been arrested since 10/7. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor after he allegedly stabbed 2 Israeli soldiers in the Old City. 1 of the soldiers later died of her wounds. In Gaza, telecommunications were gradually restored in the morning after Israel cut the internet and phone connection on 11/5. 252 Palestinians were killed and 1,200 injured in Israeli airstrikes. Israel said it had attacked 450 sites overnight and assassinated Hamas member Jamal Musa. Israeli airstrikes targeted al-Shifa Hospital, killing 1 and injuring 170 others, and the Nasser Medical Complex, killing at least 8. Bombardments also caused mass casualties in az-Zawaidah and Tel as-Sultan. In Lebanon, Hamas claimed responsibility for firing 16 rockets near Haifa. Israel said it attacked the launch sites. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/6; AJ, AJ, REU 11/7)

The Ministry of Health in Gaza said at least 10,022 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,100 children and 2,550 women, and 25,408 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 2,260 people were buried in rubble, including 1,270 children. 151 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 44 children. More than 2,386 people have been injured. Around 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 injured since 10/7. 30 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began. Over 1.61 million Palestinians, around 70% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israel blockade. At least 40,000 housing units have been destroyed and 220,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. 4 ambulances carrying 17 injured Palestinians entered Egypt through the Rafah crossing. 50 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. PA health minister Mai al-Kaila said 175 medical personnel and 34 civil defense workers have been killed by Israel in Gaza since 10/7. The UN said 89 UNRWA staff members have been killed. The Committee to Protect Journalists said 36 journalists have been killed since 10/7. (AJ, AJ. HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/6; AJ 11/7)

A Palestinian man held in Israeli prison, Majad Ahmed Zaqoul, died in Israeli custody at the Ofer prison, being the third Palestinian to die in Israeli prison since 10/7. Zaqoul was working in Israel on 10/7 and was arrested by Israel shortly after. Israel has not investigated the death of the 2 other Palestinians who died while in Israeli custody since 10/7. (AJ, HA, WAFA 11/6; WAFA 11/7)

The PA refused to accept the partial transfer of its tax revenue collected by Israel after Israel decided to withhold sums earmarked for administration expenses in Gaza, in addition to the funds withheld that Israel says the PA pays to the families of Palestinian detainees and Palestinians killed by Israeli forces. The amount Israel earmarked for Gaza was $140 million a month. PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Austrian chancellor Karl Nehammer, calling for an immediate ceasefire. (HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 11/6)

The Knesset approved a temporary bill banning consumption of “words of praise, sympathy or encouragement for acts of terrorism” by Hamas or ISIS. Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, demanding that the Israeli military creates “security zones around the settlements and roads” and prevents Palestinians from approaching them. (AJ, HA, REU 11/6)

Qatar condemned Israel for claiming that there was a tunnel system under the Qatar-funded Sheikh Hamad Hospital in Gaza. Israel had released a photo to back up its claims, but engineers have pointed out that the purported tunnel is for water storage. An Al Jazeera investigation later disproved the Israeli claim. (AJ, HA 11/6; AJ 11/8)

South Africa recalled its ambassador to Israel, calling Israeli actions in Gaza “genocide.” The deputy speaker of the Bahraini parliament said the parliament wants to cancel the country’s normalization deal with Israel. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU 11/6; HA 11/7; NYT 11/8)

The UAE said it would establish a field hospital in Gaza and that 5 aircraft carrying the necessary equipment were en route to Egypt. France said it was in talks with Egypt to set up a field hospital in the Sinai to treated wounded Palestinians from Gaza. (AJ, HA 11/6)

The 15 UN Security Council members failed to agree to a resolution on Israel’s attacks on Gaza. The U.S. insisted the council call for “humanitarian pauses” while other states demanded a call for a “humanitarian ceasefire.” UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres launched a $1.2 billion humanitarian appeal to help 2.7 million Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and said Gaza was becoming “a graveyard for children.” (AJ, AP, AX, HA, NYT, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 11/6; AJ, HA 11/7)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken met with Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara. U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu had discussed “tactical pauses.” Axios later reported that Biden asked Netanyahu for a 3-day ceasefire to allow sufficient aid to enter Gaza. In return, Hamas would release 10-15 captives and verify the identities of the remaining captives, a proposal Netanyahu reportedly rejected. Netanyahu told ABC News that a ceasefire depended on the release of the Hamas-held captives, but that Israel could allow “tactical pauses.” Netanyahu also said Israel will maintain the “overall security responsibility” for Gaza for “an indefinite period” when Israel has finished its campaign. U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patal said in response to Netanyahu’s comments that Gaza will remain Palestinian land and that the U.S. does not support reoccupation. (AJ, AP, AP, AX, HA, REU 11/6; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU 11/7; HA, NYT 11/8)

The U.S. military said a nuclear submarine had arrived in the eastern Mediterranean. The submarine was said to have not been carrying nuclear weapons but Tomahawk missiles. It was also reported that the U.S. planned to send Israel $320 million worth of Spice Family Gliding Bomb Assemblies, a precision guided munition for fighter jets. The State Department approved the shipment. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU 11/6; AJ, HA 11/7)

EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen presented 5 principles for after Israel’s war on Gaza; 1) Gaza cannot be a haven for terrorists; 2) Hamas cannot rule Gaza; 3) there cannot be a long-term Israeli security presence in Gaza; 4) no forced displacement of Palestinians; 5) no continuous siege on Gaza. Von der Leyen also announced that the EU will allocate another $27 million in aid to Gaza. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA 11/6)

Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian spoke with Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan about the situation in Gaza, agreeing to convene an extraordinary summit of the OIC in Saudi Arabia on 11/12. (HA 11/6)

The New York Times reported that the U.S. had told Hezbollah and Iran that it will intervene militarily if they attack Israel. (HA, NYT 11/6)

Haaretz reported that U.S. officials told the newspaper that Secretary Blinken got the impression that Israel does not have a strategy for what to do when its war on Gaza ends. Blinken reportedly broached the question in meetings with Israeli officials on 11/3, receiving the impression that the matter has barely been discussed. (HA 11/6; HA 11/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers opened fire at a Palestinian car traveling near Marda, causing damage. Israeli settlers also vandalized 40 olive trees in Kafr ad-Dik and stole an olive harvest in Awarta. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians and injured 14 others during a raid in Jalazone refugee camp. Israeli forces also prevented Palestinians from harvesting olives in Iskaka. More than 120 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Jalazone refugee camp, Bayt Rima, Jericho, Bethlehem, Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound, preventing Palestinian students from attending classes. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 400 Palestinians. Israel said it had attacked 320 targets in Gaza overnight, including 2 mosques. Rockets were fired at Israel, causing damage. In Lebanon, Israeli forces attacked 2 Hezbollah positions, killing 1 person near Aitaroun. Israel shot down 2 drones that entered Israeli airspace from Lebanon. (AP 10/20; AJ, AJ, HA 10/22; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/23; WAFA 10/24)

The Gaza Ministry of Health said as of 5 p.m. at least 5,087 Palestinians had been killed, including at least 3,100 women and children, and 15,273 had been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. It is estimated that 1,500 were trapped in rubble. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 94 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 27 children. More than 1,738 have been injured, including at least 360 with live ammunition. Israeli officials recorded no new fatalities, leaving the Israeli death toll at around 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals; 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. The UN reported that over 1.4 million Palestinians, more than half the population in Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7 and that since 11 p.m. on 10/12 there has been a complete electricity blackout due to the Israeli blockade. At least 26,756 housing units have been destroyed and 139,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. At least 42% of all housing units have been either destroyed or damaged in Israeli airstrikes. Israel said it allowed 14 trucks of aid to enter Gaza after having its forces inspect the contents. A total of 20 trucks carrying food, water, and medicine entered Gaza. The International Organization for Migration said 19,646 people in Lebanon have been displaced due to fighting near the Blue Line. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/23)

Palestinian prisoner and Hamas member, Omar Daraghmeh, died in the Megiddo Prison. Hamas called the 58-year-old’s death an assassination. Daraghmeh was arrested in his home in Tubas and placed in administrative detention on 10/9. (AJ 10/22; WAFA 10/23)

2 elderly Israeli Hamas-held captives were released to the Red Cross and transferred to Israel via Egypt’s Rafah crossing. 1 of the captives was filmed shaking the hand of 1 of the Hamas members handing them over to the Red Cross. 4 captives have been released since 10/20. Hamas said the 2 were released for humanitarian reasons. Later 1 of the released Israelis said she was treated with care while being kept but was beaten when she was taken to Gaza. (AJ 10/22; AJ, AJ, HA, HA 10/23; AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU 10/24)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte in Ramallah. Rutte had met Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel before traveling to Ramallah. Abbas also spoke with EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. (WAFA, WAFA 10/23)

EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borell called for a temporary ceasefire to allow more aid to reach Gaza. (AP 10/20; AJ 10/22; AJ, HA, REU 10/23)

Amnesty International said UK prime minister Rishi Sunak and Labor shadow secretary for international development Lisa Nandy “are diminishing the gravity of Israel’s actions” by refusing to condemn clear breaches of international law. Sunak said the UK will donate $25 million in aid to Gaza and said the UK believed it was a misfired rocket from Gaza that hit al-Ahli Arab Hospital on 10/17. (AJ 10/22; HA 10/23)

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said it is still not time for the U.S. to call for a ceasefire. The U.S. also sent 3-star general James Glynn to advise Israel. Glynn is reported to be an expert in urban warfare. (AJ 10/22; AP 10/24)

China’s special envoy on the Middle East Zhai Jun said China is willing to do “whatever is conducive” to promote a ceasefire and retore peace, calling the situation in Gaza “very serious.” (AJ, REU 10/23)

The ICC announced that it would begin hearings on the request for an advisory opinion on the legal consequences of the Israeli occupation on 2/19/2024. (HA 10/23; WAFA 10/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort raided Duma, setting cars on fire and attacking Palestinians. Israeli forces shot and injured a Palestinian with live ammunition who was trying to fend off the settlers. Israeli settlers also set fire to a tent near Kisan; the Palestinian couple who owned the tent were later reported missing. Elsewhere, an Israeli settler attempted to ram Palestinians on a street in Tuqu’. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling west of Jericho, causing damage. Israeli forces also shot and killed a Palestinian who allegedly attempted to ram soldiers at a checkpoint in Hebron using a tractor. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Arroub refugee camp, killing a Palestinian and injuring 1 other with live ammunition. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed a funeral procession in Beit Umar, killing 1 person and injuring 5 with live ammunition and others with baton rounds and tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and injured 2 people with live ammunition and injured 12 others with tear gas in ‘Ayn Bus. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Huwwara, injuring 3 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at the Jalamah checkpoint, injuring 2 with live ammunition. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Bireh, injuring 1 with live ammunition and 3 with baton rounds. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at a checkpoint near Beit Furik, causing tear-gas related injuries. 40 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, Tulkarm, Nablus, Salfit, Tubas, Qalqilya, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in Isawiya, injuring 1 with live ammunition. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed nearly 200 Palestinians and caused widespread destruction. Near Gaza, Palestinian militants attacked Kibbutz Sa’ad and Kibbutz Be’eri; no injuries were reported. Hamas fired rockets at Jerusalem, hitting targets around the city and in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc, saying it was retaliation for Israeli attacks on civilian targets. Near the Blue Line, mortar shells were fired from Lebanon toward Israel; no injuries were reported. Israel also said it had 3 killed gunmen entering Israel from Lebanon; Hezbollah denied having an active operation into Israel. Islamic Jihad later claimed responsibility. Israel later fired artillery shells at Marwahin and used combat helicopters to attack South Lebanon, killing 5 members of Hezbollah. 3 Israeli soldiers were killed and 5 injured by forces in Lebanon. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AP, HA, HA, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/9; AP, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 10/10; HA 10/11)

The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that as of 9:30 p.m. at least 687 Palestinians had been killed and 3,800 injured in Gaza, while 17 Palestinians, including 4 children, had been killed and 295 injured in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7. Israeli media reported more than 900 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 2,616 injured. Israel said it had hit 500 targets in Gaza overnight and 1,100 since 10/7. Hamas said Israeli airstrikes have killed 4 Israeli captives in Gaza. The UN reported that more than 187,518 Palestinians were displaced, including 137,427 sheltering in UNRWA facilities. 790 housing units were destroyed and 5,330 were damaged since 10/7. (AJ, ALM, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/9; ALM, AP 10/10)

The Israeli emergency rescue organization Zaka said that the bodies of 108 Israelis were found in Kibbutz Be’eri as were the bodies of Palestinian militants. Military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the bodies of 70 militants were found in the town. (HA 10/10; AP 10/11)

Hamas’ Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades spokesperson Abu Obaida said the Qassem Brigades would not negotiate the release of captives while Gaza was being bombarded. Earlier in the day Abu Obaida said Qassam Brigades would begin executing 1 Israeli captive each time Israel bombs a civilian target. There was no indication that the threat was carried out as civilian buildings were being bombed by Israel. Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk told Al Jazeera that Hamas is open to discussing a truce and all political dialogue. Hamas leader Ali Barakeh said only half a dozen members of Hamas planned the attack on Israel on 10/7 and none of its allies were informed but Hezbollah and Iran would join the battle if “Gaza is subject to a war of annihilation.” (AJ, REU, REU, REU 10/9; AJ, AP, HA 10/10)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres, and Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman about the Hamas-Israel war. In a statement, bin Salman’s office said Saudi Arabia “continues to stand with the Palestinian people in their pursuit for their legitimate rights, striving for a dignified life, realizing their hopes and aspirations, and achieving a just and lasting peace.” (AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/9)

Israeli military spokesperson Hagari said Israel had regained control in all communities surrounding Gaza but that Palestinian militants still could be in the area. (HA 10/9)

Reuters reported that Qatar was mediating a prisoner exchange that will see Israeli women and children released by Hamas in exchange for the release of 36 Palestinian women and children from Israeli prisons. Egyptian sources also said that Egypt was in close contact with Israel and Hamas to prevent further escalation, calling on Israel to exercise restraint and Hamas to keep the captives in good condition. (HA, REU, REU 10/9; HA, HA 10/10; HA 10/11)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant said that he had ordered that no power, water, food, or gas enters Gaza, saying “[w]e are fighting human animals and we act accordingly.” His office later said Gallant had ordered the intensity of the Gaza bombings to increase. Several Israeli politicians called for the formation of an emergency unity government, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who said the emergency government should “bring about the complete elimination of Hamas and the terrorist organizations in Gaza.” Benny Gantz’s National Unity party demanded that Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir not be part of the war cabinet and that no legislation unrelated to the war would be promoted. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU, WAFA 10/9; AP 10/10)

Axios reported that Israeli prime minister Netanyahu told U.S. president Joe Biden that Israel will invade Gaza. The Washington Post reported that the U.S. is preparing for a prolonged war in Gaza and is assessing Israeli diplomatic, political, and military needs. The White House briefed members of Congress that Israel will need replenishment for the Iron Dome, ammunition rounds, precision-guided missiles, and small-diameter bombs. Biden said in a briefing that 11 U.S. citizens have been killed by Hamas and that there likely are U.S. captives being held in Gaza. The U.S. also said Iran was complicit in the Hamas attack and warned Iran about getting involved in the fighting. Iran denied any involvement or knowledge. (ALM, HA, HA, REU, REU 10/9; HA, REU, REU 10/10)

Egyptian officials said they had warned Israel about an imminent attack from Gaza. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office denied having received warnings. (HA 10/9)

President Erdoğan spoke to Israeli president Isaac Herzog, urging him to end indiscriminate attacks on Gaza. (AJ, ALM 10/9)

The UN Security Council convened a meeting on the situation in Gaza without releasing a statement. Secretary-General Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire and said 137,000 Palestinians were sheltering in UNRWA facilities. Guterres also said he was deeply distressed by Israel’s decision to prevent all power, food, and gas from entering Gaza. (AJ, AP, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 10/9; AJ, HA 10/10)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken deleted a tweet on X in which he said he “encouraged Turkey’s advocacy for a cease-fire.” The tweet was replaced by language that supported Israel’s “right to defend itself.” (HA 10/9)

Hungary, Bulgaria, and Poland evacuated hundreds of their own citizens and European and Israeli nationals from Israel. (HA, HA 10/9)

The U.S., Germany, the UK, France, and Italy issued a joint statement of support for Israel, saying the countries are coordinating to “ensure Israel is able to defend itself, and to ultimately set the conditions for a peaceful and integrated Middle East region.” (AP, REU 10/9; HA, HA 10/10)

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov condemned violence against Palestinians and Israelis and criticized the U.S. for its “destructive policy” of undermining the Quartet by monopolizing Israeli-Palestinian dialogue during a press conference with Arab League secretary-general Ahmed Aboul Gheit. (REU, WAFA 10/9)

The EU, Germany, and Austria said they suspended all aid to Palestinians in response to Hamas’ operation in Israel. None of the aid in question is delivered to Hamas. Later EU countries, including Ireland, France, Spain, and Luxembourg, objected to the EU Commission's decision and EU Crisis Management commissioner Janez Lanercic said the EU aid would continue. (AJ, HA, REU, REU, REU 10/9; AJ 10/10)

The Bank of Israel said it will sell $30 billion of foreign currency to maintain the shekel’s stability in light of the war with Hamas. The shekel had lost 10% of its value compared to the dollar in 2023 before the war. (AJ, ALM, HA, REU 10/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers re-erected a settlement outpost near al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya; the settlement outpost was dismantled by Israeli forces on 6/7. 18 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ni‘lin, al-Mughayyir, Bayt Rima, Balata refugee camp, Rujeib, Bayt Dajan, Ya‘bad, Jenin, Tulkarm, Tubas, Fawwar refugee camp, and Beit Fajjar. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities took measurements for the demolition of a 4-story apartment building in Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen and seized their boat within the fishing zone. (PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/8; PCHR 6/9; UNOCHA 6/17)

The Israeli supreme court rejected a petition for a retrial in a case where the Israeli settler group Ateret Cohanim allegedly purchased 3 buildings in the Old City from the Greek Orthodox church, allowing the settler organization to evict the Palestinian tenants. The Greek Orthodox church called the ruling “unfair” and without “any legal logical basis.” The EU voiced concern about the supreme court ruling. (HA, YNET 6/9; MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/10; MEMO, WAFA 6/11)

Israel extended its antiquities authority to the West Bank. The Israel Antiquities Authority will replace the Coordinator on Government Activities in the Territories in managing archeological sites in the West Bank. (HA 6/8)

Speaking, via phone link at a conference on the holy sites in Jerusalem, dubbed “Property Documentation and the Historical Status of the Holy al-Aqsa Mosque,” PA president Mahmoud Abbas said that the PA would not accept any changes to the status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem, saying all Islamic and Christian holy sites are Palestinian. (WAFA, WAFA 6/8; WAFA 6/9)

Israeli media reported that members of a Liberian delegation in Israel headed by minister of state for presidential affairs Nathaniel McGill told Israeli journalists that Liberia will open a trade office in Jerusalem that eventually will become Liberia’s embassy to Israel. The delegation was meeting Israeli officials, including president Isaac Herzog. (ALM 6/9)

Axios reported that last week, Israel refused a proposal for a White House summit with the PA, U.S., Egypt, and Jordan to create a political horizon for ending the occupation. (AX 6/8)

Axios also reported that the White House is sending the newly appointed assistant secretary of state for Near East affairs, Barbara Leaf, to Israel and Ramallah for meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials. (AX 6/8)

Haaretz reported that the EU commission’s anti-fraud office will not open an investigation into the 6 Palestinian rights organizations Israel deemed terrorist organizations in October 2021, saying that it had not seen sufficient evidence from Israel against the 6 organizations. EU diplomats told Haaretz that the evidence handed to EU countries by Israel was not compelling and did not meet the threshold of proof. (HA 6/8)

In a visit to the Buraq Wall/Western Wall, Bosnia and Herzegovina parliament speaker Dragan Čović told reporters that the Old City is part of Israel. (JP 6/10)

The World Bank approved a grant of $30 million for PA reforms in transparency, inclusion, and green economy and a $7 million grant for social services and online employment oppounities for Palestinians in Gaza. (WAFA 6/8)

In the most high-profile incident of the day, undercover Israeli soldiers raid a hospital in Hebron and arrest a Palestinian patient—an alleged suspect in the stabbing of an Israeli settler on 25 October—and shoot and kill the man’s cousin. Meanwhile, Palestinians across the West Bank demonstrate in commemoration of the 11-year anniversary of former PLO chair Yasir Arafat’s death. IDF troops violently disperse them in al-‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron, w. of Tulkarm, 2 areas nr. Ramallah (al-Bireh and Jalazun r.c.), and Bethlehem; at least 70 Palestinians are injured. Elsewhere, IDF troops conduct a series of raids in Qalandia r.c. nr. Ramallah, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians youths; 13 Palestinians are injured. Palestinian youths throw stones at Israeli settlers’ vehicles nr. Nablus, causing no damage. The IDF then raids stores in a nearby village, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; there are no serious injuries. The IDF also conducts raids in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, Nablus and 2 nearby villages, 1 village nr. Tulkarm, Jalazun r.c. and 1 village nr. Ramallah, 2 villages nr. Jenin, as well as 3 villages, Aida r.c. and al-Azza r.c. nr. Bethlehem, arresting 44 Palestinians and issuing an arrest summons to 1. Off Gaza’s coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raid a school in Silwan, arresting a Palestinian youth and issuing the school’s principal an arrest summons. They arrest 4 other Palestinians on raids in the Old City and Issawiyya. (MNA, WAFA 11/11; HA, JP, MNA, PCHR, WAFA, YA 11/12; PCHR 11/19)

The Jerusalem Municipality approves the construction of 891 new units in a settlement nr. Bayt Jala. (WAFA 11/11)

Israel’s Knesset approves, 55–31, the 1st reading of a bill that will allow the govt. to bar anyone who calls for a boycott of Israel from entering the country. (HA, JP 11/11)

The EU Commission adopts an interpretive notice “on indication of origin of goods from the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967,” including guidelines requiring products imported from Israel’s West Bank settlements to be labeled as such. (HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 11/11; YA 11/12)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian man dies from injuries sustained during clashes with IDF troops in Jalazun r.c. on 3/18. Another Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained when he fell off the separation wall nr. Jerusalem last week while trying to cross into Israel for work. IDF troops raid a school nr. Ramallah, blocking entrances and exits for 2 hours; patrol in 3 villages nr. Hebron, 1 nr. Tulkarm, and Jenin. They also conduct raids and house searches in al-‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron, as well as 2 villages nr. Jenin, arresting 5 Palestinians. Off the coast of Gaza nr. Gaza City, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing damage but no injuries. In East Jerusalem, 78 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif. Meanwhile,Israeli forces raid Shu‘fat r.c. to detain several youths, sparking clashes with local residents and injuring 3 Palestinians; conduct raids in the Old City, arresting 3 Palestinians. (JP, MNA, REU, TOI, WAFA 3/25; MNA, PCHR 3/26; PCHR 4/2)

Israeli pres. Reuven Rivlin meets with PM Netanyahu and asks him to form the next govt., after the CEC delivers Rivlin the official results from the 3/17 election. The Israeli govt. has temporarily frozen the construction of 1,500 settler residences in Har Homa, East Jerusalem. The PM’s office denies a report that the freeze was motivated by U.S. diplomatic concerns. (AFP, HA, JP, TOI, YA 3/25; TOI 3/26)

Hours before leaving office, IDF Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon signs orders that will apply Israel’s penal code to Palestinians in the West Bank, except for a key amendment exempting people from criminal charges if they take action “urgently required to ward off someone who breaks into his home, business or farm.” The key amendment would have provided additional protections for Palestinians in confrontations with Israeli settlers. (HA 3/26)

A PA unity govt. delegation led by PM Hamdallah arrives in Gaza for a planned 3-day visit. Hamdallah meets with local Fatah officials as well as senior Hamas officials to discuss the reconstruction of Gaza and national reconciliation. They agree to form a joint comm. to cooperate on several issues relating to Gaza. (AFP, JP, MNA, WAFA 3/25)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of al-Maghazi fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers nr. the border fence, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and raids targeting Hamas in Nur Shams r.c. and Tulkarm r.c., arresting 7 Palestinians; also conducts house searches and raids in and around Nablus, in Balata r.c., and Hebron, arresting 6 Palestinians, including a PA security officer; patrols in and around Jenin; confiscates a garbage truck and a tractor nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers uproot over 500 olive trees outside Hebron. In Abu Dis, Israeli soldiers enter the rebuilt “Gate of Jerusalem” protest tent camp (see 2/16) to take pictures and prepare for another round of raids, demolitions, and evacuations. The PA security forces (PASF) raid the office of 2 Palestinian Legislative Council mbrs. in Ramallah, arresting the office manager. In East Jerusalem, 58 Israeli settlers escorted by 20 Israeli soldiers tour Haram al-Sharif. (AFP, MNA, WAFA 2/18; MNA, PCHR, WAFA 2/19; PCHR 2/26)

Israel’s Supreme Court overturns the Central Election Comm.’s (CEC) 2/12 decision to bar MK Haneen Zoabi (Balad) from participating in the 3/17 election. (AFP, HA, TOI, YA 2/18; WAFA 2/19)

White House and State Dept. spokespersons confirm that the U.S. is not passing complete information to Israel about the contents of the negotiations between Iran and the P5+1, saying Israel is inaccurately “characterizing our negotiating position.” Meanwhile, over 20 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives sign on to a letter to Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) asking him to postpone Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress until after the Israeli elections on 3/17. (POL 1/28; AP, HA, YA 2/18; AFP, HI 2/19)

In the Gaza Strip, unknown assailants throw a grenade into the home of Fatah Asst. Dep. of the Palestinian Civil Affairs Ministry Nasser al-Sarraj. The grenade does not explode and no one is injured. In 2 separate incidents off the coast nr. Gaza City and Jabaliya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing damage to 1 boat. IDF troops e. of Rafah detain 2 armed Palestinians as they attempt to cross the border fence into Israel. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a water distribution network that services the n. Jordan Valley, as well as a house and a barn nr. Hebron. Sparked by an IDF raid in c. Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, Palestinian residents clash with the Israeli troops, lightly injuring 1 soldier. Nearby, IDF troops shoot tear gas canisters at Palestinian youth as they leave an UNRWA school. The IDF also conducts arrest raids and house searches nr. Hebron and Ramallah; patrols nr. Hebron, Jenin, Qalqilya, Ramallah, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, an Israeli settler attempts to kidnap a Palestinian child in Jabal Mukabir. The IDF conducts arrest raids and house searches in al-Tur, Ras al-Amud, and Ras Khamis. (MNA, WAFA 1/29; JTA 1/30; PCHR 2/5)

UN Special Coordinator Serry’s office (UNSCO) releases a statement announcing that the UN is going to review its operations in Gaza after the violent, Hamas-organized protest outside its headquarters on 1/28. The statement also blames Hamas for not adequately providing security for the protest. The UNSCO has been principally in charge of facilitating the UNadministered reconstruction procedure and mediating between the Israeli authorities, Hamas, and Palestinians in need of support after OPE. (HA 1/30)

The Israel Electric Corporation announces that it will begin intermittently cutting power to the West Bank at the end of the mo. due to the PA’s outstanding debts, which total around NIS 1.8 m. (around $458 m.). (MEMO, YA 1/29) 

Yisrael Beytenu delivers a petition to the Central Elections Comm. (CEC) calling for the disqualification of MK Haneen Zoabi from the 3/17 elections on the basis of her support for boycott and armed resistance against Israel. (HA, JP 1/29)

The U.S. Senate Banking Comm. votes, 18–4, to pass the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015, which Sens. Menendez (D-NJ) and Kirk (R-IL) introduced on 1/27. A White House spokesperson consequently reaffirms Pres. Obama’s pledge to veto the bill. (AFP, REU 1/28; AP, YA 1/29)

Seventy-five U.S. sens. sign on to a letter, initiated by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), to U.S. Secy. of State Kerry calling for a suspension of aid to the PA while the Obama admin. reviews the Palestinians’ accession to the ICC. (JTA 1/30)

Hamas’s acting PM in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh authorizes a senior CEC team to begin updating Gaza’s voter rolls, in keeping with agreements reached in Cairo on 5/20/12. The CEC estimates that since the rolls were last updated for the 1/2006 elections, the number of eligible but unregistered Gaza voters has grown to as many as 250,000. (NYT 5/29)

In Hamza village, just n. of Jerusalem, Israeli security forces demolish a gas station, car wash, 2 auto body shops, and 2 cafeterias, confiscating several motorcycles, fuel pumps, gasoline, and equipment. Deeper in the West Bank, IDF soldiers nr. Qalqilya fire tear gas, stun grenades at a group of Palestinian laborers attempting to cross into Israel without permits to find work, causing no injuries but starting a small fire that burns a grove of 20 Palestinian olive trees. The IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Jenin in the morning; in 1 village nr. Jericho in the afternoon; and in 2 villages each nr. Ramallah, Salfit, and Tulkarm and 1 nr. Jenin late at night. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Kafr Qaddum and nr. Hebron, Qalqilya, and Salfit. (PCHR 5/31; OCHA 6/1)

A Turkish court indicts 4 fmr. senior IDF commanders (fmr. IDF chief of staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi and those who headed the Israeli navy, air force, and military intelligence) who were in authority when Israel killed 9 Turks aboard the Mavi Marmara aid flotilla ship to Gaza in 2012 (see QU in JPS 157). The 4 officials are unlikely to appear for trial but may be tried in absentia. (NYT, WP 5/29; NYT 6/5)

The Washington Post runs (5/28) a special report alleging proof of an elaborate plan orchestrated either by Iranback Hizballah elements or operatives based in Iran to assassinate U.S. embassy officials and their families in Azerbaijan. The U.S., however, refrains at this stage from accusing Iran or Hizballah of direct involvement. (WP 5/28)

In Cairo, Fatah and Hamas sign an agreement laying out a timetable for implementing the 5/2010 national unity accord: (1) the Palestinian Central Election Commission (CEC) is to begin updating voter registrations in Gaza on 5/22 (previously blocked by Hamas); (2) PA pres. and Fatah head Mahmud Abbas and Hamas leader Khalid Mishal are to form an interim government within 10 days; and (3) elections are to be held and a new permanent government installed within 6 mos. (NYT, WP 5/21; HA 5/22)

The New York Times confirms that Hamas is in the midst of its secret politburo elections that are expected to take several months. (NYT 5/21)

IDF troops on the s. Gaza border fire on Palestinian agricultural areas in al-Qarara, wounding 1 unarmed civilian more than 600 meters (m) fr. the border (well outside the 300-m IDF-imposed no-go zone). In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Tulkarm and 2 nearby villages, 3 villages nr. Jenin, and 1 nr. Ramallah in the morning; in 2 villages nr. Qalqilya and 1 nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon (firing tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinian youths who confront them, causing no serious injuries); in Jericho and 1 village each nr. Jenin and Ramallah in the evening; and in 1 village each nr. Jericho, Qalqilya, and Ramallah late at night. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ refugee camp (r.c.) and Hebron. (PCHR 5/23; OCHA 5/25)

Some 30,000 Israeli Jews march through East Jerusalem and the Old City to mark Israel’s 45th Jerusalem ‘‘reunification’’ day, celebrating Israel’s seizure of East Jerusalem in the 1967 war. In commemoration, Israel’s cabinet allocates $91 m. for the creation of ‘‘public spaces’’ (not identified) in Jerusalem over the next 6 yrs. to develop tourism and infrastructure. (JTA 5/20; WT 5/21)