The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers in the Masafer Yatta area, leading to injuries. Israeli forces violently dispersed anti-settlement protests in Kafr Qaddum, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during raids in Zabbuba, Hebron, and Bayt Fajjar; 1 was arrested at a checkpoint near Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, PA security forces entered Kafr ‘Aqab to respond to a triple homicide after getting permission by Israeli authorities; Kafr ‘Aqab is part of the Israeli-occupied Jerusalem municipality but lies on the West Bank side of the separation barrier. 1 Palestinian self-demolished his house under construction in Jabal Mukabir. 1 Palestinian child was arrested by Israeli forces. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/2; PCHR 1/7)

The PA extended the strict COVID-19 restrictions by 2 weeks, 1st instituted on 12/17 including curfew on evenings and nights on weekdays and all day and night during weekends. In Gaza, similar measures have been instituted. The extension was announced on a day when the PA recorded 25 new COVID-19-related deaths and 1,064 new cases in the West Bank and Gaza; East Jerusalem was not part of the tally. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 1/2)

The PA said it received a letter from Hamas’ Ismail Haniyeh conveying the party’s desire to move forward with reconciliation. In a statement, the PA thanked Egypt, Qatar, Russia, Turkey, and Jordan for their help in facilitating reconciliation. (WAFA 1/2)

Israeli settlers from East Jerusalem and the West Bank demonstrated against the Israeli police in East Jerusalem and Israel over the death of 1 Israeli settler who was killed in police pursuit after throwing stones at Palestinians. 14 people were arrested, 7 Israeli police officers were injured, and 2 police vehicles were damaged. (HA 1/2)

Israeli protesters demonstrated against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the 28th Saturday in a row in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The protesters are demanding that Prime Minister Netanyahu resigns due to his COVID-19 response, the Israeli economy, and the corruption cases against him. (HA 1/2)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian minor and his father in Hebron. Israeli settlers also set up tents in Battir near Bethlehem. Israeli forces delivered demolition orders for 1 residential structure and 1 garden in Sabastiyya, 1 pool used for irrigation in Bayt Dajan, and a number of structures east of Yatta. Israeli forces also demolished 1 residential structure near Tubas and dismantled and seized 1 wooden shed in Umm al-Jamal. Israeli forces also shot and injured 6 Palestinians using rubber-coated bullets during raids in Qalandia refugee camp; 1 Israeli soldier was also injured during the clashes, which lasted some 2 hours; 9 Palestinian-owned vehicles were damaged. 12 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Nablus, Birzeit, Bayt Umar, Qalandia, Hebron, and Jenin. 7 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City and Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and razed farmland east of Khan Yunis. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/17, PCHR 11/19)

The PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh announced that the PA would resume coordination with Israel, including security coordination, after suspending ties in May. Civil Affairs Minister al-Sheikh said that Israel had promised to respect its agreements with the PA during “international negotiations conducted by the president [Mahmoud Abbas].” Hamas and Islamic Jihad condemned the PA’s move, saying it undermines reconciliation efforts. PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said during a Zoom conference organized by the Council of Foreign Relations that the COVID-19 pandemic played a part in the decision as the PA have struggled to find the resources to fight it. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, TOI, WAFA 11/17; HA, TOI 11/18; HA 11/19)

Israeli said it defused explosive devices in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights near the de facto border of Syria. Israel later attacked Syria, striking 8 targets. According to the Syrian state media SANA, 3 were killed, 1 wounded, and Syria intercepted Israeli missiles over Damascus. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 10 people were killed in the strikes. Israel acknowledged to have attacked Syria, saying it was responding to the explosive devices and claiming that it had hit Iranian and Syrian forces in Syria. (HA, REU 11/17; AJ, HA 11/18; BBC 11/19)

Both Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and president Reuven Rivlin congratulated U.S. president-elect Joe Biden via phone. (HA 11/17)

1 Jewish-Israeli was given a 7-year prison sentence for smuggling metals into Gaza and selling them to Hamas. He was also fined $60,000. (TOI, HA 11/17)

41 Democrats in congress cosigned a letter to U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo, expressing concern about Israel’s demolition of the village Khirbet Humsa on 11/3, demanding that Secretary Pompeo condemn Israel’s actions. (Mark Pocan’s Office 11/17; HA, WAFA 11/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces confiscated 2 diggers and 2 trucks working on a cancer treatment facility near Yatta. 22 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, Jenin, Nablus, Tubas, Bethlehem, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians erupted during a late-night raid in Issawiyya, leading to tear-gas related injuries. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 9/22; PCHR 9/24)

The health minister of the PA Mai al-Kaila said Israel had obstructed a shipment of 100,000 COVID-19 testing swabs via Jordan, causing them to be destroyed. (WAFA 9/22)

Senior officials from Fatah and Hamas met in Turkey to continue talks about reconciliation between the 2 parties. (AJ, HA, WAFA 9/22)

The PA announced it would no longer chair Arab League meetings, citing the UAE and Bahrain’s normalization with Israel. The PA had 6 months left of its chairmanship preceding over Arab League meetings. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 9/22)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz met with senior advisor to president Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, in Washington D.C. to discuss Israel’s qualitative military edge and normalization with Arab and Muslim nations. Gantz also met with U.S. secretary of defense Mark Esper. (HA 9/22)

In a video speech to the UN General Assembly (UNGA) the emir of Qatar Shaykh Tamim Hamad al-Thani castigated the international community’s inaction over the Israeli occupation of “Palestinian and Arab land.” Emir al-Thani also said that the Arab Peace Initiative is the only way for peace. French president Emmanuel Macron, also via video link to the UNGA, called for decisive negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. (AJ 9/22; WAFA 9/23)

Germany contributed $65.5 million to different public sector programs in the occupied Palestinian territories, including $31.6 million for the water sector in Gaza. (WAFA 9/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces injured 1 Palestinian, hitting him in the face with a tear gas canister in Qiffin. Israeli forces also violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 4, including 1 who was hit with live ammunition to his neck. 2 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 during a late-night raid in Yatta and 1 at the entrance to Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested during a house raid in Issawiyya, including 2 minors; they were all later released to house arrest for 5 days. (WAFA 9/11; PCHR 9/17)

According to Syrian state media, Israel fired missiles at several locations southeast of Aleppo, causing damage. (HA 9/10; TOI 9/11)

U.S. president Donald Trump announced that Bahrain had joined the normalization deal between Israel and the UAE and would be part of the signing ceremony in Washington D.C. on 9/15. Oman welcomed Bahrain’s decision and said, “this new strategic path taken by some Arab countries will contribute to bringing about a peace based on an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands and on establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as capital.” After the announcement, the PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki recalled the PA ambassador to Bahrain, calling Bahrain’s decision a “dangerous violation of the Arab Peace Initiative” and a “threat to Palestinian rights.” (AJ, BBC, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/11; HA, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA 9/12; AJ, AJ, HA, REU 9/13)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian woman was shot dead by Israeli forces in her house during a late-night raid in Jenin. According to her friend, she was shot while closing a window to prevent tear gas from entering the home. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly protest in Kafr Qaddum using rubber-coated bullets and tear gas; 1 Palestinian was injured by a rubber-coated bullet, others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest in Turmus ‘Ayya; 5 were injured by rubber-coated bullets, 1 by a tear gas canister to his head, and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces ordered a halt to the construction of 2 buildings near Bethlehem. Israeli settlers blocked 1 road south of Nablus, causing traffic jams. 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Tulkarm, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian 4-year-old girl was killed by what appears to be a stray bullet in Silwan; it is unclear who fired the bullet. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis and al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/7; HA, HA, WAFA 8/8; PCHR 8/9; PCHR 8/13)

Israel said it had shot down a drone flying over the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. (REU, TOI 8/7)

The president of Lebanon Michel Aoun said that the country had not ruled out “external interference” in the explosion in Beirut that killed at least 154 on 8/4. The possibility of external interference will be part of Lebanon’s probe into the incident. (AJ, HA, REU 8/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Jenin, leading to clashes with Palestinian residents; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces also handed stop-work orders for 9 structures, 7 of them residential, in Kafr al-Dik. 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ya‘bad and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Ras al-Amud and the Old City. In Gaza, 1 rocket was fired at Israel; shrapnel from the rocket, which was intercepted, damaged 1 car in Sderot. Israeli forces subsequently fired rockets at a cement production facility and underground infrastructure near Khan Yunis and Rafah; no injuries were reported. Hamas called the Israeli rockets a “clear message of escalation.” Israeli forces also fired live ammunition at agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (HA 8/2; AJ, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 8/3; PCHR 8/13)

3 Israeli border police officers were arrested on suspicion of assaulting Palestinians and armed robbery on 8 different occasions over a number of months at the Meitar checkpoint south of Hebron. (HA 8/3)

Israeli army officials said Israel had struck targets and probably killed 4 people in Syria after suspecting a group planted explosives near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. (REU 8/2; AJ, HA, HA 8/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque and wrote racist graffiti on walls in al-Bireh. Israeli forces razed Palestinian farmland to expand an Israeli settlement near Burqin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 4 animal barns in Nahalin. 11 Palestinians were arrested, including 9 during late-night raids in and around Anata, Hebron, Shu‘fat, and Jenin; 2 were arrested at a military checkpoint near Nablus. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land east of Rafah. (HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/27; PCHR 7/29)

In the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants were said to have exchanged fire near the Lebanese border; no casualties were reported. Israel claimed that Hezbollah operatives had entered Israel, leading to an exchange of fire. Hezbollah, however, said that it had not opened fire on Israeli forces and that the Israeli claims were a publicity stunt. The Lebanese prime minister Hassan Diab later said that Israel’s conduct was a dangerous military escalation in violation of Lebanese sovereignty. (REU, REU 7/27; AJ, HA, HA, HA, REU 7/28)

The U.S. Democratic Party finalized its platform for the 2020 elections. While the platform states opposition to Israeli annexation of West Bank settlements and calls for a 2-state solution, it also dismissed progressive amendments to dealing with Israel, such as conditioning military aid and calling for an end to the occupation of the West Bank. The amendments were voted down 117-34. The platform also recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Jewish Voice for Peace called the platform “wildly out of touch with the Democratic base.” (HA 7/27; JVP Action 7/28; WAFA 7/29)

The EU said it was “deeply concerned” about the detention of PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Gheith and called for “full respect of bilateral agreements between Israel and the PLO” with regard to East Jerusalem. Governor Gheith was arrested on 7/19 during a house raid; it was the 18th time he has been arrested since becoming governor 2 years ago. (WAFA 7/28)

The EU contributed with $27 million to the PA to help pay for the June salaries for PA civil servants. The PA has only paid civil servants half their salaries, citing the refusal to receive tax revenue payments collected by Israel because it would include coordination between the PA and Israel. (WAFA, WAFA 7/27)

In the West Bank, PA governors imposed lockdowns of several governates and cities, including Hebron city, Abu Falah village, and Nablus governate for 5 days, and several towns and villages in the Bethlehem governate for 7 days, to curb the spread of COVID-19. Later, the PA said it would impose a 5-day lockdown in the West Bank starting 7/3. Palestinians protested in Ramallah against Israel’s plans to annex parts of the West Bank. Israeli settlers razed land in ‘Ayn Bus and southeast of Qalqilya. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Jalazun refugee camp, Birzeit, Kafr al-Dik, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 house in Jabal Mukabir and 1 residential shack in Issawiyya. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around al-Tur, Silwan and Bayt Hanina. In Gaza, Palestinians in Gaza City protested the planned Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank. (AJ, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/1)

According to Haaretz sources in Gaza, Hamas’s military wing tested long-range missiles. (HA 7/1)

Israel’s foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi told Israel’s Army Radio that, “[i]t seems unlikely to me that this [announcement of plans for annexation of parts of the West Bank] will happen today . . . I reckon there will be nothing today.” Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously announced that annexation of parts of the West Bank would begin on 7/1. (AJ, HA, REU 7/1)

The Syrian, Russian, and Turkish president issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s attacks on Syria and U.S. president Donald Trump’s decision to recognize the occupied Golan Heights as part of Israel. (AJ, HA 7/1)

In an op-ed in the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, UK prime minister Boris Johnson warned Israel against annexation of parts of the West Bank, saying that it would be a violation of international law and that the “UK will not recognize any changes to the 1967 lines, except those agreed between both parties.” (HA, YNET, REU, WAFA 7/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 13 buildings in 2 settlement outposts; 6 settlers were arrested. Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian property in Aqraba, damaging animal barns and solar panels and stealing goods. 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 at a military checkpoint west of Salfit, and 6 during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Salfit, Nablus, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 2 apartments and 4 storage units in Shu‘fat refugee camp. 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during raids in al-Tur; 2 others were arrested while visiting a brother at the Russian Compound detention center. In Israel, Israeli authorities reported that 1 rocket was launched from Gaza; no injuries or damage were reported. Israel subsequently fired 3 missiles from a drone at open land east of Juhur al-Dik; no injuries or damage were reported. (HA, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/15; WAFA 6/16; PCHR 6/18)

Israel’s high court of justice ordered the Israeli government to explain why there has not been an investigation into the construction of unauthorized settlement units in the Hayovel settlement outpost. Peace Now petitioned the high court of justice in 2018 and no construction has resumed in the settlement outpost since the petition. (HA 6/16)

In a press conference, senior Hamas official Salah al-Bardawil called for united Palestinian resistance against Israel as plans for annexation of parts of the West Bank intensify. Al-Bardawil also called for meetings between Hamas and the PLO. (AJ 6/15)

Reuters reported that sources had told the news agency about plans to build a 5-mile settler bypass road in East Jerusalem to connect settlements in the south, central, and north West Bank. (AJ, REU 6/15)

According to reporting by Al Akhbar, Israel approved a $50 million transfer from Qatar to Gaza. (HA 6/15)

The Israeli cabinet approved a $2.3 million budget for an Israeli settlement in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights named after U.S. president Donald Trump. The plans for Trump Heights were announced in 2019 but had not yet been funded. Israel is planning to build 120 settlement units there. (AJ, HA 6/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted some 40 olive trees in Yatma. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Yatta, and Bethlehem; 1 was arrested at a checkpoint between Nablus and Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israel’s outgoing public security minister Gilad Erdan ordered 1 nonprofit organization helping Palestinian children from single-family homes with schoolwork to close because of alleged ties to the PA. The institution in charge of the organization, Volunteer for Hope, denies that the organization received any funds from the PA. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of al-Bureij and al-Maghazi; no injuries were reported. In the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 person crossing from Lebanon. (HA, WAFA 5/17; PCHR 5/21; HA 5/22)

The new Israeli government was sworn in. The new government is headed by Benjamin Netanyahu and has 36 ministers and 16 deputy ministers from 9 different parties. Benny Gantz will be deputy prime minister and defense minister for 18 months, when the coalition deal stipulates that Gantz will become the prime minister for the 2d half of the government term. During his speech to the Knesset, Netanyahu said of annexing Israeli settlements in the West Bank, “[i]t’s time to apply the Israeli law and write another glorious chapter in the history of Zionism.” (AJ, HA, REU 5/17; NPR 5/18)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on a group of Palestinian minors congregating near al-Bureij refugee camp; 1 Palestinian is injured. The Israeli press reports that the Palestinians were launching incendiary balloons into southern Israel. Later in the day, an Israeli tank shells a Hamas post in southern Gaza, injuring 7 Palestinians. The IDF says that the strike was retaliation for the launching of incendiary balloons into Gaza earlier in the day. In the West Bank, an Israeli settler driver rams and moderately injures a Palestinian in central Hebron. The settler then flees the scene. Separately, settlers throw stones at Palestinian homes in Urif near Nablus, causing damage and sparking a minor confrontation with residents of the village. Unidentified assailants throw a firebomb at an Israeli vehicle near Nablus, lightly injuring the 2 settler occupants and damaging the vehicle. Meanwhile, IDF troops patrol near Nablus, Hebron, and Ramallah. Israeli forces shut down a number of streets in central Hebron to make room for Israeli settlers to celebrate Purim. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces disperse an event at the French Cultural Center on the grounds that it was co-sponsored by the PA. They also arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in Ras al-Amud. (HA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 3/21; MNA 3/22; PCHR 3/28)

U.S. president Donald Trump tweets, “After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and Regional Stability!” His tweet reverses decades of U.S. policy and runs counter to several UN Security Council resolutions and international law. It comes in response to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call for the international community to recognize Israeli control over the Golan Heights, and it is widely seen as a boon for Netanyahu’s chances the upcoming Israeli election on 4/9. Trump later says, in an interview with Fox Business Network, that his tweet was not an effort to support Netanyahu’s re-election campaign. “I hear [Netanyahu] is doing okay,” he says. “Whoever’s against him is also in favor of what I just did.” In response to Trump’s tweet, an EU spokesperson says that the EU has no plans to change its position on the Golan Heights. “The EU, in line with international law, does not recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967, including the Golan Heights, and does not consider them to be part of Israel’s territory.” (HA, JP, MNA, NYT, TOI, YA 3/21; HA 3/22)

Hundreds of right-wing Jewish activists visit Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus overnight, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and Palestinians in the area; 2 Palestinians are killed and 12 more are injured. The IDF later says that an explosive device was thrown at a patrol, prompting the fatal shooting. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops open fire on Palestinians in a vehicle outside al-Khadir near Bethlehem; 1 Palestinian is killed and another is injured. The IDF later says that the men were throwing stones at Israeli vehicles. The local authorities in Bethlehem declare a general strike in protest of the killing. Meanwhile, IDF troops also shoot and injure a Palestinian youth in Bayt Sira village near Ramallah; arrest 3 Palestinians during late-night raids near Jenin; patrol in and around Tulkarm and Hebron; and violently disperse Palestinian students gathering in al-Bireh to protest the Israeli occupation (there are no serious injuries reported). Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home and dismantle 3 Palestinian makeshift residential structures south of Hebron. Unidentified assailants open fire on an Israeli settler bus near Salfit, causing minor damage. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Nablus, damaging several. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest a Muslim worshipper and an Islamic Waqf guard at Haram al-Sharif. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries (2 fishermen are detained). Along Gaza’s border, hundreds of Gazans gather near al-Bureij refugee camp to set tires on fire, throw stones, and otherwise continue the Great March of Return late at night. After unidentified Gazans fly an incendiary balloon into southern Israel, the Israeli Air Force conducts an air strike near the protesters near al-Bureij refugee camp, causing damage. Meanwhile, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Gaza City and open fire on Palestinian farmlands near Khan Yunis, causing no major damage. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. (EI, HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/20; MNA, MNA, WAFA 3/21; PCHR 3/28)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo meets with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. They discuss a range of issues, and in a press conference after the meeting Netanyahu calls on the international community to recognize Israel’s control over the Golan Heights. (HA, JP, TOI 3/20)

For the 2d day in a row, hundreds of Palestinians gather in Gaza City to protest the high cost of living and the restrictions on imports to Gaza. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel near Bayt Hanun. In East Jerusalem, Muslim worshippers tear the doors off a building in the al-Rahma Gate prayer area at Haram al-Sharif, protesting the recent Israeli restrictions at the sanctuary. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya and Bi‘lin near Ramallah; 1 Palestinian is injured. IDF troops also shoot and injure 5 Palestinians during clashes sparked by an IDF patrol in Jalazun refugee camp near Ramallah. IDF troops also patrol near Hebron, Nablus, and Qalqilya. (MNA, MNA, WAFA 3/15; TOI 3/16; MNA 3/17)

The organizing committee behind the Great March of Return announces that today’s planned demonstrations along Gaza’s border have been cancelled in light of the extensive Israeli air strikes in Gaza last night. Meanwhile, Egyptian officials say that they and their colleagues with the UN have brokered a cease-fire to end the cross-border violence.  (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, TOI 3/15)

Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them near Rafah, Khan Yunis, Gaza City, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Jabaliya refugee camp; 1 Palestinian is killed and at least 48 are injured. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 207. Late at night, after a projectile is fired from Gaza into southern Israel, causing no damage or injuries, the Israeli Air Force conducts air strikes on several Hamas sites across Gaza, causing extensive damage. Also along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians armed with knives and attempting to cross into Israel near Rafah. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Dayr al-Balah and Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries (4 fishermen are arrested and their boat is confiscated). In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya and Bayt Sira near Ramallah; 8 Palestinians are injured. They also patrol near Hebron, Tulkarm, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, after the Israeli authorities decided to re-seal al-Rahma Gate at Haram al-Sharif, approximately 40,000 Palestinians gather to pray and protest at the sanctuary. Separately, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in Jabal Mukabir. A Palestinian demolishes his own home in Silwan to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. (MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/8; HA, MNA, MNA 3/9; PCHR 3/14)

Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border fence to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them near Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Rafah, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Jabaliya refugee camp; 1 Palestinian minor is killed and at least 23 are injured. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 205. Also along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land along the border fence near al-Bureij refugee camp. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians gathering in central Hebron to mark the 25th anniversary of the 2/25/94 massacre at al-Ibrahimi Mosque; 1 Palestinian is injured. The also disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in al-Mughayyir near Ramallah (3 Palestinians are injured); arrest 4 Palestinians during late-night raids near Qalqilya, Tulkarm, Jenin, and Jericho; and patrol near Jenin, Nablus, and Hebron. Israeli settlers uproot 200 olive tree seedlings from a Palestinian grove near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, hundreds of Palestinians gather at Haram al-Sharif to protest the recent Israeli incursions at the sanctuary. Ahead of the mid-day prayer, Muslim leaders lead the protesters into the al-Rahma Gate area of the sanctuary for the first time since 2003. Separately, Israeli forces arrest 38 Palestinians in raids across the city. (AP, HA, HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/22; MNA 2/23; PCHR 2/28)

Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them near Rafah, Khan Yunis, al-Bureij refugee camp, Gaza City, and Jabaliya refugee camp; at least 20 Palestinians are injured. One Israeli soldier is injured when a Palestinian protester throws an explosive across the border fence. In the West Bank, Israeli forces return to Urif near Nablus after clashes in the area on 2/14. They raze a swath of Palestinian-owned farmland outside the village and construct barriers on a road leading from the village to the newly razed farmland. Later, IDF troops violently disperse hundreds of Palestinians gathering in Urif to protest the Israeli incursions and remove the new barriers; 2 Palestinians are injured. IDF troops also violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in Bil‘in near Ramallah (there are no serious injuries); arrest 2 Palestinians during a late-night raid near Hebron; and patrol near Jenin, Hebron, and Tulkarm. (HA, MNA, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/15; MNA, MNA 2/16; PCHR 2/21)

Approximately 10,000 Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them near Rafah, Jabaliya refugee camp, Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and al-Bureij refugee camp; at least 32 Palestinians are injured. Also along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in 2 villages near Ramallah (Bil‘in and al-Mughayyir) and Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya; 21 Palestinians are injured. They also patrol near Hebron and Qalqilya. Israeli settlers assault a group of Palestinian minors walking near Ramallah, lightly injuring 1. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian demolishes parts of his own Jabal Mukabir home to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. (AP, HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 2/1; MNA, TOI 2/2; PCHR 2/7)

In a meeting with Egyptian intelligence officials and UN special coordinator Nickolay Mladenov, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh reportedly agrees to put a stop to the recent cross-border violence in Gaza in exchange for the Egyptian authorities permanently re-opening the Rafah border crossing in both directions. Haniyeh does not comment on the report, but later calls the meeting “unprecedented.” (TOI, YA 2/2)

A U.S. official confirms that USAID has ended all its aid programs in the West Bank and Gaza as of today. U.S. support for the PA security forces (PASF) also ends today, following the PA’s decision not to accept the new conditions on U.S. aid, which were codified in the Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act of 2018 (see *S. 2946 of 5/24/18 at congressionalmonitor.org). That law would have required that the Palestinians open themselves up to lawsuits from individual U.S. citizens in exchange for continued support for the PASF, which has in recent years amounted to approximately $60 million annually. Both Israeli and PA officials have indicated that they expect PASF-IDF security coordination to continue in some form despite the cut in U.S. aid. (JP, MNA, MNA 2/1)

An EU spokesperson criticizes the recent Israeli decision not to renew the mandate of the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH), saying that it “risks further deteriorating the already fragile situation on the ground.” Separately, the five countries who contributed members to the TIPH—Norway, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, and Turkey—release a joint statement criticizing Israel’s decision, “strongly object[ing] to any claims that TIPH acted against Israel.” A UN spokesperson says that UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres “hopes that an agreement can be found by the parties to preserve the TIPH’s long-standing and valuable contribution to conflict prevention and the protection of Palestinians in Hebron.” (HA, TOI, WAFA 2/2; AP, MNA, TOI 2/3)

Approximately 10,000 Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them near Rafah, Khan Yunis, al-Bureij refugee camp, Gaza City, and Jabaliya refugee camp; 1 Palestinian is killed and 146 are injured. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 199. Also along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians who crossed the border fence into Israel. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian minor accused of throwing stones at vehicles driving outside Silwad village near Ramallah. They also violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in 2 villages near Ramallah (al-Mughayyir and Ras Karkar); 3 Palestinians are injured. Israeli troops shoot and injure 2 more Palestinians during clashes in Tuqu‘ near Bethlehem; and patrol near Tulkarm and Hebron. Late at night, Israeli settlers smash the windows of 3 Palestinian vehicles in Turmus ‘Ayya village near Ramallah. Settlers also throw stones at a Palestinian home on the outskirts of Hebron, lightly injuring 2 Palestinians. (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 1/25; HA, MNA, MNA, MNA 1/26; PCHR 1/31)

After Hamas refused to allow the next tranche of $15 million from Qatar into Gaza on 1/24, a senior Qatari official says that Doha plans to transfer money to families in urgent need and humanitarian and infrastructure projects in Gaza. “The main goal of the Qatari grant is to ease the suffering of the Palestinian people,” he says. “Some parties have interpreted the humanitarian aid as ‘calm in return for dollars’ and this is not true.” He also criticizes Israel: “There are other parties that are exploiting the humanitarian aid for the internal elections and to score political points.” The official says that Doha is working with the UN to distribute as much as $20 million. The original $15 million was planned to help pay the salaries of the civil servants of the Hamas-run government and to support families in urgent need in Gaza. Later, a senior Hamas official welcomes the Qatari plan to maintain humanitarian aid to Gaza. (JP, TOI 1/25; REU, YA 1/26)

In East Jerusalem, undercover Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian minor during a raid in Shu‘fat refugee camp. In the West Bank, Palestinian minors throw stones at an Israeli settler near Hebron, lightly injuring him. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians gathering to protest the Israeli occupation in 2 villages near Ramallah (Ras Karkar and al-Mughayyir); 2 Palestinians are injured. They also arrest 2 Palestinians during raids near Jenin and Tubas; and patrol near Nablus, Tulkarm, Salfit, Hebron, and Bethlehem. Israeli settlers smash the windows and windshields of 3 Palestinian vehicles in Turmus ‘Ayya village near Ramallah late at night. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp; there are no reported injuries. (MNA 1/24; MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 1/25; PCHR 1/31)

One day after Israel’s security cabinet agreed to allow the next tranche of $15 million from Qatar into Gaza, senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya tells reporters in Gaza that Hamas will not accept the money. “Gaza will not be subject to extortion by Israeli election theater,” he adds. After the press conference, the IDF deploys additional troops to the Gaza border area in preparation for planned protests on 1/25. (HA, TOI, TOI, YA 1/24)

Three senior U.S. officials say that the Trump administration is currently planning to release its long-awaited plan for Palestinian-Israeli peace as soon as possible after the Israeli election on 4/9. They reportedly believe that they have a limited window between the Israeli elections and the start of President Trump’s re-election campaign. “It is hard for us to imagine a set of circumstances where the plan is never released.” One official says. “We have every intention of releasing it.” (JP, JP 1/24)

The Egyptian authorities shut down the Rafah border crossing to passage in both directions, marking the anniversary of the 2011 Egyptian revolution. They plan to resume operations at the crossing on 1/27. They have opened the crossing for passage only in one direction since 1/7, when the PA withdrew its staff from the Palestinian side of the crossing. (MNA 1/24)

Three days after violent raids sparked a hunger strike at Ofer Prison, lawyers representing Palestinians imprisoned at Ofer decide to stop appearing at the prison in protest of increasing restrictions imposed on their work by the Israeli authorities. (WAFA 1/24)

Approximately 10,000 Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them near Gaza City, Rafah, Jabaliya refugee camp, Khan Yunis, and al-Bureij refugee camp; at least 14 Palestinians are injured, including 3 journalists. Also along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Rafah. They also arrest a Palestinian who crossed the border fence near Jabaliya refugee camp. The IDF later states that the man claims to be a member of Hamas’s military wing. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp and Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya; 3 Palestinians are injured, including 1 photojournalist, and 1 is arrested. Meanwhile, IDF troops conduct raids in Tuqu‘ village near Bethlehem, arresting 5 Palestinians and sparking clashes; there are no reported injuries. IDF troops also patrol near Hebron and Jenin. Israeli settlers chop down 23 olive trees in a Palestinian grove outside al-Mughayyir village near Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Silwan. (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/18; MNA 1/19; PCHR 1/24)

Approximately 13,000 Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. There are some reports of protesters flying incendiary balloons and kites into Israel, but no reports of fires or any damage. IDF troops violently disperse the demonstrations near Rafah, Khan Yunis, Jabaliya refugee camp, Gaza City, and al-Bureij refugee camp; 1 Palestinian is killed and at least 25 are injured (1 Israeli soldier is injured as well). This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 196. Hours after the protests, the Israeli Air Force conducts air strikes on 2 Hamas sites east of Gaza City, completely destroying them, according to Palestinians in the area. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya; 1 Palestinian photojournalist covering the protests is injured. They also shoot and injure a Palestinian as he allegedly attempts to stab an Israeli settler outside the Kiryat Arba settlement near Hebron; arrest 4 Palestinians during raids near Jenin; and patrol near Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. Israeli settlers throw stones at a Palestinian taxi northwest of Nablus, causing minor damage. (EI, HA, JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, YA, YA 1/11; HA, WAFA 1/12; PCHR 1/17)

Late at night, the Israeli Air Force conducts air strikes on more than 8 allegedly Iranian and Hezbollah-affiliated targets in and around Damascus, causing extensive damage. According to the Syrian press, Syrian air defenses intercept a number of Israeli missiles targeting additional sites. (JP, TOI, YA 1/12; JP, YA 1/13)

Approximately 10,000 Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse the demonstrations near Gaza City, Rafah, Khan Yunis, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Jabaliya refugee camp; at least 15 Palestinians are injured. Also along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Rafah. Five unidentified assailants raid the Gaza City office of the PA-run Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation and destroy much of the technical equipment on site. The assailants flee before the police arrive on the scene. Later, a PA official says, “We hold the Hamas authorities fully responsible for this crime.” In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians during a raid near Ramallah; and patrol near Nablus, Jenin, Hebron, Salfit, and Qalqilya. They also violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in al-Mughayyir near Ramallah; 2 Palestinians are injured. Israeli settlers throw stones at a Palestinian school in Urif village near Nablus, sparking minor clashes between their IDF escort and Palestinians in the area; 1 Palestinians is injured and another is arrested (AFP, MNA, TOI, TOI, WAFA 1/4; MNA 1/5; PCHR 1/10)

Following a complaint from Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the IDF formally censures Colonel Avi Bluth for failing to pass along the Netanyahu’s order to postpone the evacuation and dismantlement of 2 makeshift residential structures at the site of the former illegal settlement outpost Amona on 1/3. In the context of a disciplinary hearing, IDF Chief of Staff Eisenkot reportedly “made it clear to Colonel Bluth that he had erred in handling the incident and that it would have been expected that he would have conducted himself more professionally.” (HA, JP, TOI, YA 1/4)

Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops stationed along the border fence violently disperse the demonstrations near Gaza City, Jabaliya refugee camp, Khan Yunis, and Rafah; 1 Palestinian is killed and at least 6 are injured. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 195. In the evening, unidentified Gazans launch a rocket into southern Israel, where it lands in an open area, causing no damage or injuries. Hours later, the Israeli Air Force responds with an air strike on a Hamas site in Dayr al-Balah, causing moderate damage to the site and several surrounding buildings. Separately, Israeli police find and dismantle several balloons and kites lashed with incendiary devices in Sdot Negev Regional Council, marking the first attack of its kind since Hamas cracked down on the incendiary balloon and kite attacks weeks ago; no damage or injuries are reported. Around the same time, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian shepherds working near Rafah, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in Bil‘in near Ramallah; there are no injuries reported. IDF troops also arrest 3 Palestinians during late-night raids near Dayr al-Balah, Hebron, and Jenin; and patrol near Hebron throughout the day. Israeli settlers assault and injure a Palestinian in central Hebron. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 12/28; HA, JP, JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, WAFA 12/29; PCHR 1/3)

Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse the demonstrations near Gaza City, al-Bureij refugee camp, Jabaliya refugee camp, Khan Yunis, and Rafah; 3 Palestinians are killed and at least 47 are injured (1 of the injured Palestinians will succumb to his injuries the following day). This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 193. Earlier in the day, IDF troops stationed along the border fence near Bayt Lahiya open fire on Palestinian fishermen working near the coast; there are no injuries or damage reported. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international solidarity activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in Bil‘in near Ramallah and Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya; 4 Palestinians are injured, including 1 photojournalist. The IDF also arrests 1 Palestinian and issues 1 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Hebron; and patrols near Tulkarm and Hebron. Israeli settlers raze a swath of Palestinian farmland outside Battir village near Bethlehem. They are reportedly clearing the way for construction of a new road to a nearby settlement. (AFP, EI, HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 12/21; TOI 12/22; PCHR 12/27)

After a day of violence and intense IDF activity across the Ramallah region on 12/13, tensions remain high in the West Bank. The Israeli authorities maintain the closure of all major roads in the area while they search for the perpetrator of the attack that left 2 Israeli soldiers dead. One Palestinian is killed during clashes sparked by an IDF raid in Jalazun refugee camp. Six Palestinians are injured during clashes sparked by a similar raid in nearby al-Bireh. Two more Palestinians are injured when IDF troops violently disperse a protest outside nearby al-Mughayyir. Separately, a Palestinian stabs and lightly injures an Israeli soldier at an IDF post outside the Beit El settlement; the soldier moderately injures the Palestinian in the ensuing confrontation (the Palestinian will turn himself in to the IDF on 12/15). Unidentified assailants throw rocks at Israeli troops outside al-Bireh, moderately injuring 1 soldier. The IDF then seals off the main Ramallah-Nablus road and conducts raids in the area searching for the assailants. IDF troops shoot and injure 5 Palestinians during clashes sparked by a raid in al-Laban near Nablus; violently disperse Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in central Hebron, Luban al-Sharqiyya near Nablus, and Bil‘in near Ramallah (4 Palestinians are injured); arrest 1 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during additional raids near Hebron; and patrol near Hebron, Bethlehem, Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarm, and Salfit. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Nablus and Qalqilya, and open fire on a Palestinian passersby in Jalazun refugee camp (1 Palestinian is injured and several vehicles are damaged). In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in Issawiyya. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse thousands of Palestinians gathering to continue the Great March of Return near Gaza City, Jabaliya refugee camp, Khan Yunis, and Rafah; at least 60 Palestinians are injured. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (EI, HA, JP, JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, YA 12/14; TOI 12/15; PCHR 12/20)

Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them near Rafah, Jalabiya refugee camp, Khan Yunis, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Gaza City; at least 33 Palestinians are injured. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya; several Palestinians are injured. IDF troops also patrol near Hebron, Salfit, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces issue an order banning the PA’s governor in Jerusalem, Adnan Ghaith, from the West Bank for 6 months. When he was released from detention on 12/2, he was banned from the West Bank for 2 weeks. (JP, MNA, WAFA 12/7; MNA 12/8; PCHR 12/13)

Unidentified assailants shoot and kill a West Bank Palestinian in Jaljulia, a small town in northern Israel. The Israeli police reportedly suspect he was killed by Palestinians who disagreed with his practice of selling land in the West Bank to Israeli settlers. In a video posted online before the man’s death, he can be heard saying, “You can say I’m an agent or a collaborator... whoever owns land over the fence [in the West Bank] and isn’t thinking of selling will experience the same thing that happened to [Palestinian] refugees who are still holding keys [for their old houses] and believe the UN and UNRWA.” (HA 12/8; TOI 12/9)

In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse dozens of Palestinians gathering in Nablus to protest the detention of several Fatah activists earlier this week; 5 Palestinians are reportedly injured. They violently disperse another protest in central Nablus against the Israeli occupation (1 Palestinian is injured); fire sound bombs and tear gas at Palestinian minors returning from school in central Hebron; arrest 17 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah, Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Hebron, Tulkarm, and Jenin; and patrol in and around Nablus, Jenin, Tulkarm, Salfit, and Hebron. Israeli forces seize a tractor from a Palestinian farm outside Bardala in the northern Jordan Valley. Israeli settlers puncture the tires of 4 Palestinian vehicles and spray racist graffiti on nearby walls in Odlah village near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians during a late-night raid in Hizma. In central Israel, right-wing Israeli activists puncture the tires of 32 Palestinian-owned vehicles and spray racist graffiti on nearby walls in Kafr Kassim. (HA, JP, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 12/2; PCHR 12/6)

The Israeli authorities release the PA’s governor in Jerusalem, Adnan Ghaith, from detention, but they also ban him from entering the West Bank for 2 weeks. Ghaith was arrested during a raid on his home on 11/24. The Israeli authorities also order the release of 32 other East Jerusalem Palestinians held on suspicion of supporting or serving in the PA security forces. (HA, JP, TOI, WAFA 12/2)

Israel’s cabinet approves NIS 700 million (approximately $187 million) in funding for a plan to “strengthen the civilian resilience” of communities in southern Israel surrounding Gaza. “They are steadfast and we support them,” Prime Minister Netanyahu says. (TOI 12/2)

The PA Ministry of Agriculture imposes a ban on purchases of lamb from Israel. The move comes amid a drop in lamb prices, and ministry officials say it is an effort to protect Palestinian lamb sellers. (TOI, TOI, WAFA 12/19; TOI 12/27)

Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border fence to continue the Great March of Return. Hamas reportedly orders the protesters to stay away from the fence so as not to provoke any escalation of violence. Nevertheless, IDF troops violently disperse the demonstrations near Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Jabaliya refugee camp; 60 Palestinians are injured. Also along Gaza’s border fence, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Khan Yunis and open fire on Palestinian youths approaching the border fence near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians at a Friday protest against the Israeli occupation in 3 villages near Ramallah (Ras Karkar, al-Mughayyir, and Bil‘in) and Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya; 4 Palestinians are injured. They also arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in and around Bethlehem; and patrol near Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. Israeli forces confiscate a bulldozer from a Palestinian construction site near Salfit. Israeli settlers puncture the tires of several Palestinian-owned vehicles and spray racist graffiti on nearby walls in al-Jaba‘ village near Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in al-Salam. (JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 11/30; JP 12/1; PCHR 12/6)

A Jordanian laborer assaults and moderately injures 2 Israelis in Eilat. The Israeli police say they suspect the attacker of having political motivations. The Jordanian was in Israel with a work visa. His first day of work in Israel was 11/29. (HA 11/30)

Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them near Jabaliya refugee camp, Gaza City, Rafah, and Khan Yunis; 14 Palestinians are injured. Also along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmland near Khan Yunis, causing no serious damage. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats working near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries (3 fishermen are arrested). In the West Bank, Israeli settlers puncture the tires of 20 Palestinian vehicles and leave racist graffiti on nearby walls in Asira and Huwwara villages near Nablus. Separately, settlers puncture the tires of several Palestinian vehicles in Bayt Iksa near Jerusalem. IDF troops arrest a Palestinian at a checkpoint near Bethlehem when he is found with a knife on his person; arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in Hebron; and patrol near Hebron and Nablus. They also violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya; 4 protesters are injured, including 1 Italian activist. (HA, JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/23; PCHR 11/29)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian farmer working near al-Bureij refugee camp. It’s unclear why they opened fire. Separately, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Dayr al-Balah. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse dozens of Palestinians gathering to plant olive trees outside Urif village near Nablus; 5 Palestinians are injured (the mass planting was organized by Fatah and the local Palestinian authorities as a protest against the Israeli occupation). Separately, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian journalists at a protest organized by the International Federation of Journalists at Qalandia checkpoint near Ramallah; there are no serious injuries. They also arrest 3 Palestinians during raids near Bethlehem; and patrol near Hebron and Nablus. Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian family picking olives near Hebron, causing no serious injuries. A separate group of settlers throws stones at a Palestinian ambulance in central Hebron, breaking the windshield. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in Silwan. (MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/17; MNA 11/18; PCHR 11/22)