The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, a Palestinian man succumbs to wounds sustained from Israeli forces in Nur Shams refugee camp on 10/19/2023. An Israeli settler shoots and kill a Palestinian man after he shoots and kills 2 Israeli settlers at a gas station near the Eli settlement. Israeli settlers also throw stones at Palestinians at the Za’atra checkpoint, injuring a man. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers ram a Palestinian man in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, causing minor injuries. Israeli settlers also raid Arab al-Milehat, throwing stones at homes. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers disassemble and steal 2 agricultural structures in Kisan. Israeli forces shoot and kill 2 Palestinians and injure another while they are picking gundelia flowers near Bayt Awa. Israeli forces also shoot and kill a Palestinian child during a raid in Beit Furik. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian man during a raid in Jalazone refugee camp. Israeli forces also shoot and injure a Palestinian man in Jenin. Meanwhile, Israeli forces demolish a home and 2 agricultural structures during a raid in Ein ad-Duyuk al-Tahta. Israeli forces also arrest 20 Palestinians during raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, and Bethlehem. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Nuseirat refugee camp, al-Bureij refugee camp, Khan Yunis, Jabalia refugee camp, and Beit Hanun, killing at least 81 people. Israeli forces also open fire at an aid convoy where thousands of Palestinians are seeking to gather aid. Eyewitnesses report that Israel used live ammunition, tank shells, and drone-fired missiles to attack the crowd, at least 112 people are killed and 760 are injured. Israeli tanks also run over the bodies of the dead and injured. The attack is dubbed the Flour Massacre. 4 children die of starvation at the Kamal Adwan Hospital. Israeli settlers storm the Beit Hanun (Erez) crossing, attempting to create a settlement in Gaza. In Lebanon, Hezbollah fires 2 rockets at Goren. In Yemen, U.S. forces attack a missile launch site and shoot down a drone. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/29; AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 3/1)

More than 30,147 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 13,230 children and 8,860 women, and around 71,217 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 409 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 103 children. More than 4,606 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 240 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,431 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. The Red Crescent says its medical clinic in Jabalia is receiving 100-150 cases of patients with Hepatitis A daily. (AJ, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, UNOCHA 2/29)

22-year-old Palestinian prisoner Assef al-Rifai dies in an Israeli prison, becoming the 11^th Palestinian to die in Israeli prison since 10/7. Al-Rifai, who had been imprisoned since 2022, suffered from cancer. (WAFA 2/29)

In response to the Flour Massacre (see above), Israel’s military first says Palestinians were killed in a stampede trying to get aid, blaming the aid truck drivers, then later said that Israeli soldiers had opened fire due to fear of the crowds but that most of the Palestinians had been killed in a human stampede and by the aid trucks. In its defense, Israel releases edited drone footage which appears to show hundreds of Palestinians taking cover from Israeli bullets. The PA calls the incident an “ugly massacre” and Hamas calls the attack an “unprecedented war crime.” UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres labels the incident appalling and calls for an independent investigation. EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borrell calls it “totally unacceptable,” Colombia denounces Israel’s genocide, suspending weapons purchases from Israel. French president Emmanuel Macron expresses “[d]eep indignation at the images coming from Gaza where civilians have been targeted by Israeli soldiers. I express my strongest condemnation of these shootings and call for truth, justice, and respect for international law.” Spain, Belgium, Turkey, Portugal, Italy, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, China, Canada, Yemen, Australia, and other countries express shock and contempt for the Israeli actions. The U.S. blocks an Algerian statement at the UN Security Council that assigns blame to Israel for the incident, saying it needs to be “thoroughly investigated.” The Israeli newspaper Haaretz for the first time calls on Israel to end its war, citing the incident. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 2/29; AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA 3/1) 

Representatives from Hamas, Fatah, and many other Palestinian parties meet in Moscow for reconciliation talks and about forming a technocratic consensus government that will lead the PA. Palestinian National Initiative secretary-general Mustafa Barghouti says, “I have never seen the atmosphere so close to unity as it is today.” Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov tells the Palestinian representatives at the meeting that if they can announce a unity position on the basis of the PLO those who use the lack of Palestine unity to prevent “the settlement in the Middle East, will lose their winning cards.” Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh meets with Chinese ambassador to Qatar Zhou Jian, discussing “ways to stop the war” in Gaza. President Mahmoud Abbas meets with UN senior coordinator for humanitarian aid and reconstruction in Gaza Sigrid Kaag and USAID administrator Samantha Power in Ramallah. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 2/29; AJ 3/1)

The Israeli Civil Administration declares 2,640 dunams (652 acres) of land in Abu Dis and al-Eizariya Israeli state land. 120 Palestinian families live on the land. The area declared state land connects the Ma’ale Adumim settlement and the Keidar settlement. (AJ, REU, WAFA 2/29; HA 3/1)

Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store says the PA has received $114 million from Israel as part of the tax revenue payments and that more money will be dispersed in “the coming days.” (REU 2/29)

UNRWA says it has not received $89 million from the European Commission that was due on 2/29. 17 rights and aid organizations, including Save the Children and Oxfam, call on the EU to disperse the funds. The UN says Israel has not provided evidence about its claims against 12 UNRWA staffers for the independent investigation by the UN. Germany says it will increase aid to Gaza by $21.6 million and that its military will start taking part in aid airdrops if enough aid cannot be dispersed by land. (AP, AP, REU 2/29)

Israel claims it has killed more than 13,000 militants in Gaza since its ground invasion. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls Hamas’s demands for a ceasefire “delusional,” saying he will not accept them and that he rejects international calls for a ceasefire. The Israeli negotiators who had been in Qatar this week return to Israel. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calls for a “massive” settlement expansion in response to the killing of 2 Israeli settlers near the Eli settlement. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir says aid to Gaza must stop as it endangers Israeli soldiers, citing the Flour Massacre where no Israeli soldiers were injured while more than a 100 Palestinians were killed. The Israeli government says it is still reviewing whether it will severely limit the number of Muslim worshippers it will allow to enter the Haram al-Sharif compound during Ramadan. (AJ, REU 2/29; AJ 3/1)

U.S. president Joe Biden walks back his comment that a ceasefire will happen by 3/4 but says that he is still hopeful. Biden also issues a statement calling on Republicans to pass a bill providing aid to Israel to “help ensure Israel can defend itself against Hamas and other threats.” Biden speaks with Qatar emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, discussing the need for aid and a ceasefire in Gaza. Secretary of State Blinken speaks with Qatari prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, discussing the same issues. White House deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton says the U.S. is deeply concerned that it has not received an Israeli plan for how it will provide security for Palestinians in Rafah if the Israeli military invades the city. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) calls on Israel to end its military operations in Gaza, citing the Flour Massacre. (AJ, AX, HA, NYT, REU, REU 2/29; AJ, HA 3/1)

UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Turk condemns Israel’s war on Gaza, calling it “carnage” at the UN Human Rights Council and says that war crimes have been committed by both Israel and Hamas, calling for accountability for the perpetrators. (AJ, HA, REU, WAFA 2/29)

New Zealand says it will impose travel bans on “a number” of violent Israeli settlers. New Zealand also designates the entirety of Hamas as a “terrorist group.” (AJ, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 2/29)

British politician George Galloway of the Workers Party of Britain wins a seat in the UK parliament in the by-election in Rochdale, telling Labour Party leader “Kier Starmer, this is for Gaza.” The Labour Party held the seat in Rochdale until last month when MP Tony Lloyd died. (NYT, NYT 2/29; AJ, AJ, HA 3/1)

Haaretz reports that AIPAC has spent $4.5 million in attack ads against Dave Min in the Democratic primary for a congressional seat in California. (HA 2/29)

The heads of 36 international news outlets sign a letter in support of journalists in Gaza, calling for their protection. (AJ, AP 2/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shoot and injure 2 Palestinians, including a child, and set a vehicle and a home on fire during a raid in ‘Asira al-Qibliya. Israeli settlers also assault 2 Palestinians and damage their vehicles after raiding their home in Kisan. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian homes and set a car on fire in Madama. Israeli settlers also demolish 3 structures in Susiya. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers set fire to a vehicle in Huwwara. Israeli forces shoot and injure 4 Palestinians during raid in Tell, al-Ram, Tammun, and Ramallah. Israeli forces also violently disperse a funeral procession in Biddu, injuring 2 people with baton rounds. Elsewhere, Israeli forces arrest 27 Palestinians during raids in and around Hebron, Tubas, Tell, Deir Ghassana, ‘Azzun, and Arrabah. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian child succumbs to injuries sustained from Israeli forces on 2/11 in the Old City. Israeli settlers tour the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Rafah, Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis, and Gaza City, killing at least 164 people, including at least 74 people in Rafah. Israeli forces also shoot and kill 7 and injure at least 14 others at the Nasser Hospital. 3 Israelis soldiers are killed in combat. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb several places, killing 5 members of Hezbollah, including in a home in Chihine. Islamic Jihad says 2 of its fighters were killed by Israel near the Blue Line. In the Red Sea, Houthi fighters attack a cargo ship with naval missiles, saying it is U.S. owned. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/12; AJ, AP, HA, HA 2/13; AJ, AP, HA 2/14)

More than 28,340 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 11,500 children and 7,200 women, and around 67,984 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 387 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 99 children. More than 4,426 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 227 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,326 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 9 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. UNRWA Gaza chief Thomas White says there is an outbreak of hepatitis A and a very high number of Palestinians experiencing diarrhea. (AJ, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 2/12; UNOCHA 2/13)

Israel says it forces rescued 2 Israeli captives from a building in Rafah. Israel says the large-scale airstrikes on Rafah that killed at least 74 Palestinians were a diversion for the rescue mission. (HA, NYT 2/11; AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, UNOCHA, REU, REU 2/12; NYT 2/13)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas meets with Qatari emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha, discussing the possibility of a unity government in Palestine. (HA, WAFA 2/12)

Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah meets with Islamic Jihad secretary-general Ziad al-Nakhalah. (AJ, HA 2/12)

Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich says, “the Egyptians bear considerable responsibility for October 7.” A spokesperson for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry says Smotrich is trying to divert attention from Israel’s own shortcomings. Foreign Minister Israel Katz and Interior Minister Moshe Arbel say UN special rapporteur on the Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese will be banned from Israel, citing her comments that the “victims of 7/10 were not killed because of their Judaism, but in response to Israel’s oppression.” U.S. representative to the UN Human Rights Council Michele Taylor accuses Albanese of having a “history of using anti-Semitic tropes.” (AJ, HA 2/12; AJ 2/13)

U.S. president Joe Biden meets with Jordanian king Abdullah II at the White House. Biden tells the press that Palestinians in Rafah need to be protected. Abdullah II says a lasting ceasefire is needed to protect Palestinians and an Israeli invasion of Rafah would be a catastrophe. (AJ, AX, HA, NYT 2/12; NYT, WAFA 2/13)

The UN Security Council meets to discuss the situation in Rafah and an Algerian draft resolution calling for a ceasefire. Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, says the UN will not play a part in Israel’s plans for evacuation of Rafah, saying “there is no place that is currently safe in Gaza.” ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan says he is deeply concerned about Israel’s plans in Rafah, adding “[a]ll wars have rules and the laws applicable to armed conflict cannot be interpreted so as to render them hollow or devoid of meaning.” Khan also says Israel has not changed its conduct in Gaza and “those who do not comply with the law should not complain later when my Office takes action pursuant to its mandate.” (AJ, HA, NYT 2/12; AJ, HA 2/13)

The U.S. Senate votes 70-29 to approve a bill which if approved by the House and President Biden would provide $95 billion in military aid to Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel, including $14 billion to Israel, ban funding of UNRWA, and provide $9.15 billion in humanitarian assistance to civilians in conflict zones, including in Gaza and the West Bank. Biden calls on the House to immediately approve the Senate bill, which he says, “provides Israel with what it needs to protect its people against the terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah and others.” Before voting in favor of the bill, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) says Israel is committing “textbook” war crimes in Gaza. (HA 2/12; AJ, AP, HA, HA, INT 2/13)

EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borell calls on the U.S. to suspend military aid to Israel saying, “if you believe that too many people are being killed, maybe you should provide less arms in order to prevent so many people being killed.” (AJ, AJ, HA, HA 2/12)

The UK government sanctions 4 Israeli settlers. The PA foreign ministry welcomes the measure but calls it insufficient. (AJ, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 2/12)

A Dutch court orders the Dutch government to halt exports of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel. The Dutch government says it will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 2/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered demolition notices for 4 houses, 8 water wells, and 1 agricultural structure in a-Tabban in the Masafer Yatta area and stop-work notices for 2 water wells and 1 agricultural structure in Zif. Israeli forces also sealed a well in Beit Lid. Elsewhere, Israeli forces prevented Palestinians from working their land in Qusra. Israeli forces also fired tear gas at Palestinians trying to enter Israel for work at the separation wall near Jenin. 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, representatives from the EU and UN visited Palestinians in Silwan who are threatened by Israeli demolitions and displacement. Israeli forces shot and injured 3 minors with baton rounds on the Jerusalem-Ramallah street. 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids. In the Naqab, Israeli forces demolished al-Araqib for the 202d time since 2000. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/7; PCHR 6/9; UNOCHA 6/17)

The PA finance ministry said it would pay PA employees 80% of their wages as it continues to be unable to pay its employees in full due to Israel’s withholding of parts of the PA tax revenue. (REU 6/7)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with German vice chancellor and economy and energy minister Robert Habeck in Ramallah. The 2 discussed German support for energy projects in Palestine. Prime Minister Shtayyeh briefed Vice Chancellor Habeck on Israeli violations against Palestinians. Shtayyeh also called on the international community to create a political horizon for ending the Israeli occupation and for Germany to exert pressure on Israel to allow the PA to hold elections in East Jerusalem. (WAFA 6/7)

UN human rights council’s commission of inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, released its 1st report since receiving its mandate on 5/27/2021. In its report, it pointed to Israel’s continued occupation of Palestinian territory and discrimination against Palestinians as a key factor in recurrent tensions between Israelis and Palestinians. 2d, the report noted Palestinian resentment is fueled by lack of consequences for Israeli human rights violations. A commissioner working on the report said that “Israel clearly has no intentions of ending the occupation. In fact, it has established clear policies to ensure complete permanent control over the Occupied Palestinian Territory.” The report also criticized the PA and Hamas for using the occupation as justification for human rights violations against their own people. (AJ, AP, HA, REU, UNOCHR, WAFA 6/7; MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 6/8)

Israeli ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan was elected vice president of the 77th session of the UN general assembly (UNGA), along with 20 others. The appointment will see Ambassador Erdan chair UNGA meetings and being part of agenda selection. Erdan will serve for 1 year, starting in September. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said that the PA leadership was “surprised by and deplore the election of Israel's ambassador to the United Nations for the position of Vice President of the United Nations General Assembly, which we consider an attempt to promote and legitimize the colonial occupation regime on the land of the State of Palestine.” (JP 6/7; TOI 6/8; MEE 6/9; WAFA 6/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers wrote racist graffiti on walls and vandalized vehicles in Turmus ‘Ayya. Israeli settlers also set fire to 5 Palestinian-owned vehicles in Jalud. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 3/28; PCHR 3/31; HA 4/1; UNOCHA 4/10)

King Abdullah II and crown prince Hussein of Jordan met with PA president Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. Israel’s Channel 13 reported that Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz wanted to join the meeting but was not allowed to by Israel’s prime minister Naftali Bennett, who reportedly feared that their meeting would overshadow the normalization summit (see below). (TOI 3/26; JP 3/27; HA, NAT, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 3/28; WAFA 3/29; ALM 4/1)

The foreign ministers of the U.S., UAE, Morocco, Egypt, Bahrain, and Israel met in Sde Boker for the 2d day of a 2-day summit comprised of countries that have normalized ties with Israel with U.S. support. At the summit, U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken praised Israel’s normalization deals but said they were not a substitute for peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh called the normalization summit a “free reward for Israel,” given the lack of pressure on Israel to end its occupation. Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid said after the summit that Israel supports Morocco’s proposal to offer the Sahrawi people limited autonomy as part of Morocco. Foreign Minister Lapid further stated that Israel will work with Morocco against countries trying to “weaken Moroccan sovereignty and territorial integrity.” (ABC, AJ, ALM, ALM, AX, HA, JP, MEMO, NBC, NYT, REU, REU, REU, WAFA 3/28; F24 3/29; CNN 3/30; NEWYORKER 4/1; HA, JP 4/3; HA 4/4)

68 Democratic and Republican members of the U.S. Senate signed a letter to Secretary Blinken urging him to lead an effort to end the UN Human Rights Council’s commission of inquiry into alleged Israeli war crimes committed during the May 2021 Israeli attack on Gaza. The effort was led by Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Rob Portman (R-OH). (MEE 3/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling south of Jenin on the Jenin-Nablus road. Israeli settlers with military escort also attacked Palestinian herders east of Yatta, leading to a confrontation between Israeli forces and Palestinian herders; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers with military escort attacked Palestinians in al-Lubban al-Sharqiya, leading to a confrontation between Palestinians and Israeli forces; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians and injured 1 other during a raid in Jenin refugee camp; 1 of the victims was described as unarmed and the other a member of Islamic Jihad, who resisted the Israeli raid; 1 Palestinian was arrested during the raid. 4 other Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during late-night raids in Beit Umar and Hebron, 1 was arrested at a flying checkpoint in Jannatah; Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the raid in Beit Umar, causing tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians celebrating al-Israa wa al-Miraj in the Old City, injuring 36, including 1 11-year-old girl who was hit in the head with a stun grenade, fracturing her jaw; there were several videos circulating showing Israeli forces assaulting Palestinian minors; 20 were arrested. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of Khuza‘a. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (HA, JP, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/28; AJ, AP, HA, JP, MEE, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, REU, WAFA 3/1; HA 3/2; PCHR 3/3; UNOCHA 3/11)

The Israeli high court of justice denied a petition by Palestinians in Hebron to end Israeli forces’ use of a building on Palestinian-owned land in Hebron, saying that returning the land to its Palestinian owners would be a security risk. Israel has expressed its desire to expand Israeli settlements in Hebron on parts of the Palestinian-owned land that the Israeli forces use. (HA 3/2)

The Israeli Jerusalem district planning and construction committee rejected a petition by the committee of Muslim cemeteries and Palestinian landowners to block plans to construct a promenade at al-Yusufiya cemetery at the Old City walls in East Jerusalem. The Israel nature and park authority said that Israel does not intend to “expropriate the area in question.” (HA 3/1)

At the UN human rights council, PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki called out the international community’s double standard in its sanctioning of Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine while shielding Israel from similar sanctions. (WAFA 2/28; MEMO 3/1; HA 3/4; HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/5; WAFA 3/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles at a checkpoint near Burqa; 1 Israeli settler was arrested by the Israeli forces, but Israeli police released him shortly after he was handed to them. Israeli settlers also threw stones at 2 Palestinian sisters herding sheep in Kisan. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers raided Sabastia, using pepper spray on Palestinians. Israeli forces demolished parts of 1 Palestinian home and razed 7 dunams (1.7 acres) of land in al-Ramadin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians, throwing stones and snowballs at Israeli forces in al-Tur; 22 Palestinians were arrested. Israeli forces also shot 1 Palestinian minor with a rubber-coated bullet and arrested him after he allegedly threw a stone at a police car. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Deir al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (TOI, WAFA, WAFA 1/26; HA, PCHR, TOI 1/27)

1 64-year-old Palestinian prisoner suffering from schizophrenia was found dead in his cell at Nitzan prison. (PCHR 1/27)

1 million doses of Russian-made Sputnik COVID-19 vaccines entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing. The 1 million doses of the Sputnik vaccine were donated by the UAE. The PA health ministry said that about 30% of Gaza’s population is vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. Almost 2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been delivered to Gaza since the start of the pandemic in early 2020. (HA 1/27)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas extended the COVID-19-related state of emergency by 30 days. The state of emergency was 1st declared in March 2020. (WAFA 1/26; MEMO 1/27)

The autopsy performed after the death of an 80-year-old Palestinian American man in Jiljilyya on 1/12 found that the man died of a heart attack caused by “external violence.” The man had been detained by Israeli forces who gagged, blindfolded, and cuffed him. The Israeli soldiers uncuffed him before leaving him in a cold room, where he was found dead later in the night. (ALM, MEE, NYT 1/26; AP, HA 1/27)

Director of the Crisis and Conflict division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) Lama Fakih said that Amnesty International’s security lab had verified that her phone was infected with the NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware 5 times between April and August 2021. Director Fakih was 1st alerted to the spyware infection by the company Apple on 23 and 24 November. NSO Group told HRW that it is “not aware of any active customer using [its] technology against Human Rights Watch staff member.” Fakih’s work includes monitoring human rights abuses in Syria, Myanmar, Israel, Palestine, Afghanistan, and the U.S. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HRW, MEE, MEMO 1/26; WP 1/27)

Axios reported that a cable sent from the Israeli foreign ministry to Israeli embassies told its employees that it was a top priority to delegitimize the UN human rights council’s inquiry into human rights violations in Israel, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, set up after the Israeli attacks on Gaza in May 2021. (AX 1/26; JP, MDW, TOI 1/27; MEMO 1/28; HA 2/2)

Lebanon signed a deal to purchase electricity from Jordan via Syria. The deal is expected to give Lebanon 2 hours of additional electricity a day within 2 months. It is expected that the World Bank will finance the deal. (AP, MEMO, REU 1/26)

UK secretary of education Nadhim Zahawi said that protesters chanting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” could face prosecution in the UK, as he views the chant as related to Hamas. Secretary Zahawi’s comment was made during a conference on anti-Semitism hosted by his ministry. (MEE 1/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted some 80 olive trees in al-Mughayyir. 1 Palestinian man hit 1 Israeli soldier with his car at the Qalandia checkpoint, injuring the soldier. According to Israeli authorities, the man intentionally rammed the soldier. Both were admitted to hospitals. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor and injured 1 other, claiming the 2 were throwing Molotov cocktails at cars driving near Bayt Jala. Israeli forces also delivered notifications to Palestinians in Yasuf that Israel will seize 40 dunams (9.9 acres) of land from residents to expand the Taffouh settlement. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized and demolished structures used for agricultural and residential purposes in the Bedouin community of Qabbon. 17 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beit Kahel, Beit ‘Anin, Biddu, Beit Sahour, and al-Arroub refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 3 were arrested during house raids in the Old City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza. (AP, HA, HA, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/14; MEE 10/15; AJ 10/17; PCHR 10/21)

The PA wrote a letter to the African Union’s Executive Council urging it to revoke Israel’s observer status, which it was given on 7/22 to the dismay of many of the Union’s members. (ALM, MEE, MEMO, WAFA 10/14)

In Lebanon, 6 protesters were killed and dozens injured in clashes during a demonstration against the judge presiding over the probe into the blast that killed more than 200 people on 8/7/2020. The demonstration was supported by Hezbollah; Amal movement supporters clashed with the Christian Lebanese Forces after being shot at during the protest. The Christian Lebanese Forces said Hezbollah had incited the violence. Videos showed heavily armed people in civilian clothes firing weapons and 1 man in civilian clothes firing an RPG. The U.S. subsequently offered the Lebanese army $67 million in military aid. (AP 10/13; AJ, AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, REU, REU, REU 10/14; AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, REU 10/15; HA, REU, REU 10/16; REU 10/17; AJ, REU 10/18)

Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz called on the Israeli military to “systematically, aggressively and uncompromisingly” act against settlers who are violent toward Palestinians or Israeli forces, as an uptick in Israeli settler violence had been recorded. (AP 10/15; AJ 10/17)

The U.S. Biden administration formally rejoined the UN Human Rights Council after the Trump administration left the council in 2018, citing anti-Israel bias. U.S. state department spokesperson Ned Price said that the U.S. would “vigorously oppose the council’s disproportionate attention on Israel.” (NYT 10/14; WAFA 10/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to more than 100 hay bales south of Hebron. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian using live ammunition during a raid in Ya‘bad; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces demolished 1 residential tent and 2 agricultural tents, and seized solar panels in al-Samou. Israeli forces also razed a tract of land near Khirbet Umm al-Khawas in the Masafer Yatta area for settlement expansion. 21 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, Tulkarm, Jenin, Tubas, Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Qatanna. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a house raid in Silwan. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/1; WAFA 6/2; PCHR 6/3)

The Israeli Jerusalem affairs ministry told a Jerusalem court that it had frozen plans by settler organization Ateret Cohanim to open a Yemeni Jewish heritage center in Silwan as part of its plans to Judaize East Jerusalem. (HA 6/2)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas extended the COVID-19-related state of emergency by 30 days. (WAFA 6/1)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with Omani officials in Muscat and the Kuwaiti prime minister Sabah al-Khalid al-Sabah in Kuwait. (WAFA, WAFA 6/1)

The PA summoned representatives from Austria, the Czech Republic, the UK, and Bulgaria to express dissatisfaction with the countries’ votes in favor of protecting Israel from investigations at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on 5/27. (WAFA 6/1)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, during the ceremony for Mossad’s new chief David Barneam that if he had to choose between “[f]riction with the United States and eliminating the Iranian threat—eliminating the existential threat wins.” (AP, HA 6/1)

Israel summoned the ambassador of Argentina to Israel because of the country’s vote at the UNHRC on 5/27 to investigate potential Israeli war crimes. In the past couple of days, Israel has also summoned the ambassadors of Mexico and the Philippines over their votes at the UNHRC. (JP 6/1)

During a trip to Israel, senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) told Fox News that Israel is planning to ask the U.S. for $1 billion in military aid to “replenish the Iron Dome batteries” after the 11 days of escalation of violence last month, which Israel dubbed “Operation Guardian of the Walls.” (HA, HILL, REU 6/1; AJ 6/2)

17 Democratic U.S. senators led by Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) signed a letter to secretary of state Antony Blinken urging him to pressure Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. Israel is conditioning the allowance of much of the humanitarian aid into Gaza on a number of demands to Hamas, including releasing 2 Israeli citizens and the bodies of 2 soldiers. The senators also called on Secretary Blinken to see that aid to Palestinians be raised to the same amount as before former president Donald Trump slashed it. (AX 6/1; HA 6/2)

According to the Financial Times, almost 200 Facebook employees have asked the company to set up a task force to investigate claims that the company suppresses pro-Palestinian voices on its social media platforms. (AJ 6/2; WAFA 6/4)

EU representative to Palestine Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff said, during a press conference held in front of the ruins of the al-Jala high-rise in Gaza City, that reconstruction of Gaza required Israel lifting its blockade of the area. (WAFA 6/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered a demolition order for a health clinic in Birin near Yatta. Israeli forces injured 1 Palestinian using live ammunition during a raid in Sa‘ir; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 7 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ya‘bad, ‘Araba, Bayt Fajjar, Hebron, and ‘Ayn Qiniya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers led by Israel’s housing minister Yaakov Litzman raided the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces rammed with a car and lightly injured 1 Palestinian minor who was riding a bike with a Palestinian flag in Ras al-Amud; the child was briefly detained before being allowed medical treatment. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a house raid in the Old City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 1 Palestinian from Gaza was shot and injured after he allegedly stabbed and lightly injured 1 Israeli security guard in Sdei Avraham after entering Israel through the Gaza fence. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/30; HA, MEMO, MEMO 5/31; PCHR 6/3)

Head of Egyptian general intelligence Abbas Kamel met with PA leadership in Ramallah, including PA president Mahmoud Abbas, to discuss a long-term ceasefire between Hamas and Israel and reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas. Intelligence Chief Kamel also met with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel. (HA 5/29; AJ, HA, MEMO, WAFA 5/30)

Israel foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi met with Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo to discuss a long-term ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Foreign Minister Ashkenazi said that Israel “won't allow the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip let Hamas rebuild its terror capabilities, without resolving the issue of the return of Israeli MIAs and civilians” held by Hamas. (HA 5/29; AJ, AJ, AP, MEE, MEMO, REU 5/30; ALM 5/31)

Israel summoned the ambassador of the Philippines to Israel because of the country’s vote at the UN Human Rights Council on 5/27 to investigate potential Israeli war crimes. (MEMO 5/31; JP 6/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole some 100 Palestinian-owned hay bales in Burin. Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians while traveling in the same car near al-Bireh. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Kafr Na‘im, al-Bireh, Askar refugee camp, and Sa‘ir; 2 Palestinian children were injured by rubber-coated bullets during a confrontation with soldiers in Askar refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 10 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Jabal al-Mukabir and al-Tur. In Gaza, 1 Palestinian injured in Israeli air strikes in al-Bureij on 5/17 succumbed to his injuries, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 259 to 260, including 67 children and 3 pregnant women. In Israel, 1 Palestinian guard at a construction site was severally beaten by 10 Jewish-Israelis in Binyamina. 1 firebomb was thrown at a house occupied by Jewish-Israelis in Lydda; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/27; HA, WAFA 5/28; PCHR 6/3)

Israel approved 560 new settlement units in the Mtsad settlement near Kisan. (WAFA 5/27; MEMO 5/28)

According to Middle East Eye, the PA has been arresting at least 14 critics of the government in the West Bank since 5/1, with the largest arrest campaign on 5/22. (MEE 5/27; AJ 5/28)

At a meeting in the Knesset, it was revealed that 1,892 Israelis had been arrested in protests and in confrontations and clashes between Palestinian-Israelis and Jewish-Israelis, and that only 183 of them are Jewish-Israelis. Israeli police dubbed its arrest campaign “Operation Law and Order.” Palestinian-Israeli lawmakers called the operation racist, saying it only targets Palestinian-Israelis. (AJ, HA 5/28; MEMO 5/29; AJ 6/1)

1 Palestinian-Israeli imam Shaykh Kamal Khatib, the deputy leader of the northern faction of the Islamic Movement in Israel, was charged with incitement to terrorism and identification of a terrorist organization. Shaykh Khatib was arrested on 5/16. Khatib’s lawyer called the charges a political persecution. (HA, MEE 5/27)

An Egyptian official said that Egypt had invited Israeli, Hamas, and PA officials to Egypt for separate talks about reinforcing the ceasefire and accelerating the rebuilding of Gaza. A Hamas official said that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh would visit Cairo next week and that Hamas is ready to talk about a prisoner swap. The Israeli foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi is expected to meet the Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry as part of the talks. (ALM, AP, HA, HA 5/27)

Israel summoned the French ambassador to Israel after the French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on 5/23 said, about Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory, that the “risk of apartheid is strong if we continue to follow a logic of one state, or of status quo.” (HA, MEMO 5/26; ALM, HA, HA 5/27)

A public opinion poll released by the Arab American Institute said that 51% of Americans are for restricting U.S. military aid to Israel. 62% of Democrats supported restricting U.S. military aid to Israel. The poll was conducted on 5/20, the day the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was announced. (MEE 5/27)

The UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution to investigate the latest escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas and Israeli attacks on Palestinians in East Jerusalem. 9 countries voted against the resolution, including Austria, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Czech Republic, Germany, Malawi, the Marshall Islands, U.K., and Uruguay. 14 countries abstained. Israel said it would not cooperate with the investigation. Hamas said its actions during the 11 days of violence were “legitimate resistance.” The U.S. said it opposed the investigation. The UN high commissioner for human rights Michelle Bachelet stated that Israeli attacks on Gaza may be war crimes and that rockets fired from Gaza were a violation of international law. Separately, the UN appealed countries to raise $95 million in aid to Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. (AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, MEE, PCHR, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, VOA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/27; ALM, MEMO, MEMO 5/28)

Japan announced $10 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza. (WAFA 5/27)

More than 600 prominent international musicians signed a calling Israel a “settler-colonial project committed to the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian population” and calling for a boycott of Israel. (HA 5/28; MEMO 5/29; WAFA 5/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers cut 15 olive trees west of Salfit. Israeli forces ordered a Palestinian to stop working his land in al-Twana and handed a stop-work order for a retaining wall in Teqqua. 2 Palestinians were arrested near Jenin and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces notified PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Gheith that he was banned from entering the West Bank for another 6 months. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including a journalist and her interviewee, in the Old City and al-Tur. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of Dayr al-Balah. In Israel, Israeli police shot and killed 1 Palestinian-Israeli man suffering from a mental disability after being called by his mother to his family home in Haifa; the family criticized the Israeli police’s handling of the situation, saying that despite the man brandishing a knife, they could have subdued him with non-lethal means. (AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA 3/29; HA 3/30; PCHR 4/1)

The PA received 100,000 doses of the Chinese-made Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine, donated by China. (HA, WAFA 3/29; ALM 3/31)

The PA foreign ministry summoned the representatives from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and the UK because of the countries’ change of vote on Palestinian issues at the UN Human Rights Council. Bulgaria voted against Palestine and the UK and Czech Republic abstained. (WAFA 3/29)

The PA also approved its budget for 2021, stating that it expects a deficit of $1 billion. (WAFA 3/29)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, an Israeli settler driver rams an elderly Palestinian nr. Nablus, causing moderate injuries. The IDF delivers confiscation orders to the Palestinian owners of 169 dunams (42 acres) of farmland nr. Qalqilya and stop-work orders to 7 Palestinian homes under construction in Kafr al-Dik nr. Salfit. IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians and confiscate a tractor during raids nr. Ramallah, Jericho, and Tubas; and patrol nr. Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 2 residential buildings in Jabal Mukabir. (MNA, WAFA 3/ 20; MNA, WAFA 3/21; PCHR 3/23)

PA pres. Abbas meets with Egyptian pres. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo to discuss regional affairs and the prospect of holding a regional peace conference to kick off a new round of peace talks. Al-Sisi reportedly tells Abbas that the Palestinian question will remain a high priority in Cairo. (TOI, WAFA 3/ 20; MNA, WAFA 3/21)

The U.S. State Dept. announces that the U.S. will be boycotting the UNHRC’s discussion of Israel at its 34th session this week, also known as Agenda Item 7. “The U.S. strongly and unequivocally opposes the existence of the UNHRC’s Agenda Item 7,” the State Dept. statement reads. (JP, TOI, USSD 3/20)

A violent outburst in Hebron punctuates a period of relative calm in the West Bank. IDF troops shoot and kill 2 Palestinians in Hebron’s Old City after they allegedly stab and moderately injure an Israeli soldier. A video of the incident later shows that an IDF soldier killed 1 of the alleged assailants after he had been detained and disarmed. Meanwhile, the Israeli authorities keep the Erez border crossing closed for the 2d of 3 planned days, and maintain the closure of the West Bank, as decided on 3/22. IDF troops conduct late-night house searches and raids nr. Ramallah, Jenin, and Bethlehem, arresting 2 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to another 2; patrol nr. Tulkarm and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, over 50 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif while 4 Palestinians are detained outside the sanctuary. Palestinian men under 50 are still banned from entering. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 3/24; HA, TOI 3/25; HA 3/27; HA 3/29; PCHR 3/31; VN 4/28)

Jordan’s FM Nasser Judeh meets with PA pres. Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah to discuss the ongoing Jordanian-Israeli negotiations on new surveillance infrastructure at Haram al-Sharif. Judeh relays a message to Abbas that Jordan plans to go ahead with the 10/24/2015 agreement to do so. (JP, TOI 3/24)

The UN Human Rights Council approves a res., 32–0, with 15 abstentions, condemning Israel’s settlements and calling for the creation of a “blacklist” of all Israeli and international firms operating directly or indirectly in Gaza, the West Bank, and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. (HA, JP, TOI, YA 3/24; HA 3/25)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Khan Yunis fire on a group of Palestinians approaching the border fence, causing 3 to suffer from tear gas inhalation. Separately, IDF troops stationed e. of Rafah open fire on agricultural lands nr. the border fence, causing damage. In 2 incidents off the coast nr. Jabaliya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at demonstrations to commemorate Land Day, upcoming on 3/30, and protest Israel’s occupation in 6 areas nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih, Silwad, outside Ofer Prison, and Jalazun r.c.), and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; 10 Palestinians are moderately injured. The Israeli soldiers also cut off a main waterline into Kafr Qaddum, denying the village water for several hours. IDF troops also violently disperse Palestinian and international activists gathering in Abu Dis at the site of the “Gate of Jerusalem” protest tent camp. The IDF conducts house searches and raids in and around Hebron, arresting 1 Palestinian; conducts patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 each nr. Jenin and Jericho. (MNA 3/27; PCHR 4/2)

The Israeli PM’s office announces that it is unfreezing tax revenue transfers to the PA that it has held as a punitive response to the Palestinian accession to the ICC since 1/2015. A statement announcing the move says that the total will be reduced by an undisclosed amount to pay portions of the PA’s debts to Israeli utility providers, such as the IEC. The PA FM criticizes the announced deductions, saying in a statement that they are “an unjustified and illegal procedure that could cause complications.” (AP, HA, JP, NYT, TOI 3/27; AFP, WAFA 3/28; JP 3/29)

French FM Fabius announces that, now that the 3/17 Israeli election has passed, he plans to explore the prospect of introducing another United Nations Security Council (UNSC) res. laying out parameters for a new round of Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations. Meanwhile, an EU spokesperson announces that Hamas will remain a designated terrorist organization pending a decision on an appeal of the General Court’s 12/17/2014 removal of Hamas from the list. Similarly, the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, which the U.S. claims funneled money to Hamas, has been removed from the list since it was last published in 7/2014. (AFP, AP, HA, REU, TOI 3/27; AFP 3/28)

The PA unity govt. delegation led by PM Hamdallah meets with Fatah and Hamas officials in the Gaza Strip, concluding its 3-day trip. (MNA 3/26) The Egyptian attorney, Samir Sabri, who filed the original motion to designate Hamas a terrorist organization in Egypt withdraws his case, saying he hopes to remove “obstacles which Egypt’s political leadership might face in serving its role in the Palestinian reconciliation.” The Court of Urgent Matters, which designated Hamas a terrorist organization 2/28, is expected to reconsider its initial ruling, though it was only in part based on Sabri’s motion. (AHR, MNA 3/27)

The 28th regular session of the UNHRC concludes today after a mo. of meetings, with the council having agreed on 3 res. on the Palestinians. They reaffirm the Palestinians’ right to self-determination, confirm Palestinian rights to sovereignty over their natural resources, and condemn ongoing settlement growth in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. (TOI 3/27; MNA 3/28)

PA Pres. Abbas arrives in Sharm al-Shaykh, Egypt, to participate in an Arab League summit on 3/28 and 3/29. Ahead of the summit, the Arab League agrees to send a delegation to Washington to lobby the U.S. Congress and promote the Arab Peace Initiative. (WAFA 2/25; MNA 3/27; HA 3/28)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Dayr al-Balah and Jabaliya fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers and agricultural areas nr. the border fence, causing damage. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and raids in and around Qalqilya, 2 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 village nr. Jenin, and Tulkarm, arresting 4 Palestinians; patrols in 1 village each nr. Hebron, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and Salfit. IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians at a checkpoint nr. Jerusalem and 2 more at an entrance to the Gush Etzion settlement bloc. Israeli forces deliver stop-work orders to Palestinians in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Tubas; demolish a well, a wall, and 10 olive trees in a village nr. Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian woman as she is exiting Haram al-Sharif and 6 youth playing in the sanctuary. They also conduct house searches and raids in al-Jdayra, arresting 4 youth and sparking light clashes; arrest 2 Palestinian youths in Bayt Hanina. Israeli authorities issue demolition orders for 5 Palestinian-owned buildings in Silwan. (MNA, WAFA 3/23; MNA 3/24; PCHR 3/26)

Swiss amb. to the PA Paul Garnier visits Gaza to discuss a possible long-term cease-fire between Hamas and Israel. UN Special Coordinator Serry conducted similar meetings in Gaza on 3/2. (MNA 3/23; ALM 4/14)

Fearing that the continued tax revenue freeze could spark an uprising in the West Bank, Senior IDF officers say that the IDF has issued 10,000 permits for Palestinian laborers in the West Bank and has directed its troops to engage in clashes with Palestinian protesters less frequently. (TOI 3/23; YA 3/24)

White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough clarifies the Obama admin.’s response to Israeli PM Netanyahu’s campaign rhetoric and subsequent attempts to defend himself from international criticism in a speech at the annual J Street conference. “After the election,” McDonough says, “the PM said that he had not changed his position, but for many in Israel and in the international community, such contradictory comments call into question his commitment to a 2-state solution, as did his suggestion that the construction of settlements has a strategic purpose of dividing Palestinian communities and his claim that conditions in the larger Middle East must be more stable before a Palestinian state can be established.” (YA 3/23; HA, TOI 3/24)

In Geneva, the UNHRC holds its scheduled debate on Israeli violations of Palestinian rights in the oPt. Israel is absent, pursuant to its longtime boycott of the council, but so is the U.S. Israel’s FM denies a Reuters report claiming that the U.S. absence stems from the Obama admin.’s recently announced reassessment of its policy on defending Israel in international institutions. Later, U.S. amb to the UNHRC Keith Harper confirms that the U.S. has joined the Israeli boycott due to the UNHRC’s focus on Israel. (JP, REU, TOI 3/23; JP 3/24)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops e. of c. Gaza arrest 4 Palestinians as they attempt to cross the border fence into Israel. In 4 separate incidents off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing damage. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse with tear gas and rubbercoated metal bullets dozens of Palestinians protesting Israeli pres. Rivlin’s visit to c. Hebron, injuring 1. Rivlin gives an inauguration speech at a Jewish history museum. It is the 1st visit to Hebron for a sitting Israeli pres. since 1998. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Salfit, Hebron, Jenin, Jericho, and in ‘Aqabat Jabir r.c; patrols nr. Qalqilya and Hebron. They also arrest a Palestinian at a checkpoint nr. Bethlehem who is on his way to visit his brother in prison. An Israeli settler deliberately rams his car into a car full of PA security forces outside al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, injuring 7. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces patrol nr. a school in al-Tur, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youth; 4 of the Palestinians are arrested and dozens suffer from tear gas inhalation. An Israeli settler hits a Palestinian woman with his car nr. the Old City, moderately injuring her. (MNA, WAFA 2/2; AFP, WAFA 2/3; PCHR 2/5; EI 2/6)

The Jordanian govt. returns its amb. to Tel Aviv today after he was recalled on 11/5/2014 following serious clashes at the site that day and the Israeli govt.’s closing of Haram al-Sharif on 10/30. (AFP, HA, JP 2/2)

William Schabas resigns after 5 mos. as head of the 3-mbr. UNHRC’s commission investigating possible war crimes committed during OPE. In his resignation letter, Schabas cites Israeli allegations of bias and says he does not want to detract from the report’s findings. Israeli PM Netanyahu calls for the inquiry to be shelved, but UN officials say it will continue, as scheduled. (AJ, REU 2/2; AFP, WAFA 2/3)

Israel releases 9 administrative detainees, all arrested during the 6/24 sweep of Hebron, as a goodwill gesture to the PA. The IDF redeploys to the outskirts of Bethlehem, turning security control over to the PSF; the IDF will continue to patrol Bayt Jala, control the area around Rachel’s Tomb (an especially high separation fence around the tomb reportedly is planned), but otherwise vows not to enter the town unless the PA is unable to prevent an imminent attack on Israelis fr. the city. The IDF confiscates 283 dunams of land s. of Khan Yunis, for a new settler bypass road for Morag; enters the offices of the Hebron Rehabilitation Comm. (HRC), orders all HRC reconstruction projects to halt; demolishes a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem; moves the Ganei Tal settlement fence east, bringing 4 Palestinian homes within the settlement’s zone of control. Palestinian gunmen fire on Israeli construction workers building the separation wall nr. Tulkarm, lightly injuring 1 Israeli security guard; fire on an IDF patrol in Nablus, causing no injuries. A roadside bomb explodes along the separation wall nr. Qalqilya, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, REU 7/2; MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 7/3; al-Quds 7/7 in WNC 7/10; PCHR 7/10; MEI 7/11; HA 7/17)