In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assault 4 Palestinian children in al-Juwaya in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli settlers also open fire at Palestinians traveling between ‘Asira al-Qibliya and ‘...
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February 28, 2024
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January 24, 2024
In the West Bank, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian man with live ammunition in al-Jalama. Israeli forces also shoot and injure a Palestinian man with a baton round in Beita; others...
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December 15, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Bruqin. Armed Israeli settlers also threatened Palestinian shepherds in the Jordan Valley. Israeli forces attempted to...
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November 14, 2023
In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian succumbed to injuries sustained from Israeli forces in Jenin on 10/29. Israeli settlers vandalized Palestinian vehicles during a raid in Husan. Israeli forces...
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October 29, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided at-Tuba and Wadi Ijheish in the Masafer Yatta area, assaulting Palestinians and stealing 6 sheep and agricultural equipment. Israeli settlers also raided...
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October 20, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers opened fire at Palestinians harvesting olives in Yasuf, forcing the Palestinians to flee; no injuries were reported. Israeli settlers also set fire to a home and...
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September 19, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Jenin refugee camp, killing 4 Palestinians, including a minor, and injuring more than 30 others using 2 suicide drones and live ammunition. 1 Israeli...
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August 12, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with baton rounds; 1 of the victims, a minor, underwent surgery to have his eye removed after...
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July 22, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort attacked a Palestinian home in al-Mazra’a al-Gharbiya. Israeli settlers with military escort also attacked a house and a school in ‘Urif....
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July 12, 2023
In the West Bank, unidentified gunmen opened fire at an Israeli settler vehicle near Qalqilya. Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians with batons, pepper spray, and stone at a spring near Tubas....
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July 2, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian vehicle near Salfit, causing damage. Israeli settlers also threw a Molotov cocktail at a Palestinian-owned truck near ‘Urif, causing it to...
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June 22, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up 6 mobile homes on Palestinian-owned land in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, creating a new settlement outpost. It was reported Israeli forces leveled land in...
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June 21, 2023
In the West Bank, more than 250 Israeli settlers with a military escort raided Turmus ‘Ayya, shooting and killing 1 Palestinian, injuring 12 others with live ammunition, and setting 60 vehicles,...
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May 11, 2023
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March 7, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians and their property in Hebron and Nablus, injuring 2 in Nablus. Israeli settlers also assaulted 1 Palestinian farmer working his land...
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February 21, 2023
In the West Bank, armed Israeli settlers chased Palestinian herders of their own pastures west of Jericho. Israeli forces issued demolition notices for 4 houses under construction and 1 mobile...
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February 15, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian-owned car and threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near ‘Urif. Israeli settlers also attacked Israeli forces that were pursuing the...
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December 26, 2022
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to 1 car and threw stones at homes in ‘Urif. Israeli settlers also attempted to set fire to a car near Burin. Unidentified gunmen also opened fire at a...
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December 15, 2022
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian farmer tending his land near Artas. Israeli settlers also threw stones at a school in ‘Urif, damaging solar panels. Elsewhere, Israeli...
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November 15, 2022
In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli forces after he allegedly killed 3 Israeli settlers and injured 3 others in and around the Ariel settlement. 5 of the settlers were stabbed...
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October 20, 2022
In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian child, shot by Israeli forces during a raid in al-Bireh on 9/28, succumbed to his injuries. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles in Huwwara and...
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October 16, 2022
In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian shot on 10/15 in Qarawat Bani Hassan succumbed to his injuries. Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Qiffin. Israeli settlers also vandalized...
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August 31, 2022
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers tried to enter ‘Urif, but were repelled by Palestinians. Israeli forces razed land, uprooted 50 olive trees, and demolished 2 agricultural structures and 1 house...
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August 9, 2022
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 150 olive tree saplings in al-Khader and set up a mobile home near Wadi Rahhal. Israeli settlers also threw stones at a house and vehicles in ‘Urif....
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July 18, 2022
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 69 olive and almond trees near Salfit. Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 4 structures east of Yatta and agricultural structures east of...
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June 1, 2022
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided al-Juwaya in the Masafer Yatta area, bringing their cattle to graze on wheat and barley crops and assaulting Palestinian herders. Israeli forces shot and...
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May 30, 2022
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to dozens of Palestinian-owned olive trees in Burin, causing extensive damage. Israeli settlers also interrupted traffic and waved Israeli flags at the...
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May 25, 2022
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to 1 Palestinian vehicle near the Za‘atra checkpoint. Israeli settlers also vandalized homes, a mosque, and a bulldozer in ‘Urif. Elsewhere, Israeli...
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May 6, 2022
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near the Gush Etzion settlement bloc and Mukhmas. Israeli settlers also set fire to 3 Palestinian-owned vehicles...
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April 13, 2022
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers prevented an Israeli road company from carrying out work to reopen a road for Palestinians connecting the village of Azzariyeh to Bethlehem. Israeli forces shot...
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assault 4 Palestinian children in al-Juwaya in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli settlers also open fire at Palestinians traveling between ‘Asira al-Qibliya and ‘Urif; no injuries are reported. Israeli forces injure a man in a drone strike in Jenin before raiding the city and its refugee camps, uprooting streets and causing damage to homes. Israeli forces also shoot and injure a Palestinian man during a raid in Qusra, others suffer tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shoot and injure 2 Palestinians during a raid in Qalqilya. Israeli forces also demolish 3 homes in al-Walaja, displacing 16 people. Meanwhile, Israeli forces demolish 2 structures in Jalbun and declare the village a closed military zone. Israeli forces also arrest 35 Palestinians during raids in and around Yatta, Bethlehem, Jenin, and Ramallah. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Nuseirat refugee camp, Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Rafah, killing at least 76 people. Israeli forces also fire tank shells at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, causing damage. 10 children die of hunger at al-Shifa and Kamal Adwan hospitals. Al-Awda Hospital in Jabalia refugee camp, the last functional hospital in northern Gaza, suspends operations due to a lack of fuel and medical supplies. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Kafra, killing 2 civilians. Israeli forces also bomb Siddikine, Majdal Zoun, Khreibeh, Ibl al-Saqi, Bint Jbeil, and Ainata. Hezbollah attacks Birkat Risha, Ramtha, and Samaqa in Shebaa Farms. Hamas forces fire rockets at Israeli military bases in Kiryat Shmona. In Syria, Israeli forces bomb Damascus, causing damage. (AJ, AJ, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/28; AJ, UNOCHA 2/29)
More than 29,954 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 12,000 children and 7,200 women, and around 70,325 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 404 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 102 children. More than 4,592 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 1,429 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. 112 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. (UNOCHA 2/28; UNOCHA 2/29)
Hamas official Basem Naim says there is still a wide gap between the Hamas position and the ceasefire proposal it has received, adding that Hamas’s non-negotiable demands are a final lasting ceasefire and not a pause, a total withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the freedom of movement for Palestinians in Gaza. Political leader Ismail Haniyeh calls on Muslims to march to the Haram al-Sharif compound on the first day of Ramadan. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU 2/28)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas meets with UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini in Ramallah. Abbas also sends letters to various heads of state rejecting Israel’s post-war plans for Gaza and calling for intervention to save Palestinians in Gaza. Foreign Minister Riad al-Maliki says Palestinian factions will discuss the establishment of a new technocratic PA government during a meeting in Moscow on 2/29 and that he thinks Hamas understands that if the party is included in the technocratic government it would be boycotted internationally. Al-Maliki also says that the resignation of the PA government on 2/26 was done to show the PA’s readiness to engage with international partners on the future of the PA. Al-Maliki also meets UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Turk in Geneva, Switzerland. (AJ, REU, WAFA, WAFA 2/28; HA 2/29)
Israel’s Channel 12 reports that the Israeli war cabinet has removed National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s power to manage the Haram al-Sharif compound and will not severely restrict Muslim worshippers from praying there during Ramadan. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller says that the U.S. encourages Israel to allow Muslim worshippers to enter the Haram al-Sharif compound during Ramadan. Energy Minister Eli Cohen says Israel should not normalize relations with Saudi Arabia if it means the establishment of a Palestinian state. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with UN senior coordinator for humanitarian aid and reconstruction in Gaza Sigrid Kaag, discussing aid deliveries to Gaza. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant speaks with U.S. secretary of defense Lloyd Austin, discussing aid to Gaza, Israel, and ceasefire negotiations. (AJ, HA 2/28; AJ 2/29)
Axios reports that the U.S. is considering airdropping humanitarian aid to Gaza as the Israeli invasion has hindered aid reaching northern Gaza and severely limited the amount that can reach the south. USAID administrator Samantha Power says at the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing that the U.S. has urged Israel to open more crossings to facilitate aid deliveries. Canada says it is considering airdropping aid in Gaza. President of Refugees International Jeremy Konydyk says aid delivered by air is negligible and helps Israel’s strategy of blockading Gaza. CNN reports that the Biden administration is concerned that Israel will invade Lebanon by the end of spring or early in the summer. (AJ, AX 2/28; AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU 2/29)
Qatar and France issue a joint statement calling on Israel to open all crossings to Gaza to allow aid to enter, saying the 2 countries reject the “killing and starvation suffered by the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.” (AJ 2/28)
More than 50 international journalists sign an open letter calling on Egypt and Israel to allow journalists “free and unfettered access to Gaza.” (AJ, HA 2/28; HA 2/29)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian man with live ammunition in al-Jalama. Israeli forces also shoot and injure a Palestinian man with a baton round in Beita; others suffer tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces punitively demolish the family home of a Palestinian prisoner in ‘Urif, displacing 5 people. Israeli forces also seize the roof of a building in Ya’bad, turning it to a military post. Israeli forces arrest 35 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Awarta, ‘Urif, Sabastia, Bani Na’im, Dura, Bruqin, and Kafl Haris. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers tour the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, mobile phone services are partially restored in southern Gaza, internet services remain out throughout the entire strip. Israeli forces bomb Khan Yunis, Jabalia refugee camp, al-Bureij refugee camp, Maghazi, Nuseirat, and Beit Lahiya, killing at least 210 people, including 13 from tank shells fired at a UN shelter and 3 at a Red Crescent shelter in Khan Yunis. Israeli forces also use tanks and drones to kill Palestinians fleeing the area around the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. In Lebanon, Hezbollah fires rockets at an Israeli base in Shebaa Farms. In the Red Sea, the U.S. military says it intercepted 2 ballistic missiles fired at a U.S.-flagged container ship. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/24; AJ, HA, REU 1/25)
More than 25,700 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 10,600 children and 7,200 women, and around 63,740 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 364 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 92 children. More than 4,348 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 219 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,250 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 153 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah crossing. Israelis block the Karem Abu Salem crossing, forcing aid trucks to reroute to Egypt. (UNOCHA, UNOCHA 1/24)
Hamas condemns the rearrest on 1/20 of a Palestinian child who was released in the prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas in November 2023. (AJ 1/24)
The Israeli military acknowledges that it used phosphorus when bombing near Metula last week. The military also says it is considering arming civilian security squads in West Bank settlements with anti-tank missiles. (HA, HA 1/24)
Newly appointed Acting Commissioner of the Israel Prison Service Kobi Ya’akobi says he will worsen the conditions of Palestinian “security prisoners.” (HA 1/25)
The Israeli attorney general’s office rejects a petition brought by HaMoked to have Israel disclose where Palestinians taken from Gaza are detained. (HA 1/24)
The ICJ announces that it will issue an initial ruling on the South African case against Israel on 1/26. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, WAFA 1/24; NYT 1/25)
Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi says Israeli efforts to delay aid entering into Gaza are a tactic to exert pressure to have the Israeli captives released. Israeli Channel 13 reports that President el-Sisi rejected an Israeli request for a call between him and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (AJ, HA 1/24)
UK foreign minister David Cameron meets with PA president Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, discussing the situation in Palestine. Cameron also meets with Prime Minister Netanyahu in Jerusalem, urging him to allow more aid into Gaza. (REU, REU, WAFA 1/24; AJ, NYT 1/25)
Prime Minister Netanyahu says at a Knesset session that Israel’s attacks on Gaza “must end with the eradication of the new Nazis.” Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu reiterates his call to drop nuclear weapons on Gaza. (HA 1/24)
The Qatari Foreign Ministry says the country is “appalled” by statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who reportedly called Qatari mediations between Israel and Hamas “problematic.” The foreign ministry says “[t]hese remarks if validated, are irresponsible and destructive to the efforts to save innocent lives, but are not surprising.” Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich claims in response that Qatar supports and funds terrorism. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, REU 1/24; AJ, AJ 1/25)
U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel says the U.S. “deplore[s] today’s attack on [the] Khan Yunis training center,” adding “the protected nature of UN facilities must be respected.” (AJ, HA, REU 1/24)
5 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, led by Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), write letters to the White House and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) asking the GAO to conduct a review of whether U.S. arms transfers to Israel are violating U.S. and international law. (AJ 1/24)
Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov says the Arab League should be leading efforts to create a Palestinian state, saying the Quartet “exists no longer” as the U.S. believes it can mediate efforts alone. (AJ 1/25)
16 human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Oxfam, and Save the Children, send a letter to the UN asking for an end to arms transfers to Israel and armed Palestinian groups. (AJ, HA 1/24)
The Wall Street Journal reports that Israel is demolishing buildings within 0.6 miles of the Gaza fence to expend the buffer zone, citing a study from Hebrew University. According to the study, 40% of buildings located within 0.6 miles of the fence have been demolished. (AJ 1/25)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Bruqin. Armed Israeli settlers also threatened Palestinian shepherds in the Jordan Valley. Israeli forces attempted to assassinate 3 Palestinians traveling in a vehicle near Balata refugee camp, firing a missile at their car; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also shot and injured 4 Palestinians, including 2 children, during raids in Tuqu’, al-‘Ayn, and Shuweika. Elsewhere, Israeli forces assaulted a Palestinian in Hebron. Israeli forces also punitively demolished the family homes of 2 Palestinians prisoners in ‘Urif. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces severely assaulted a journalist, hospitalizing him in Wadi al-Juz. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians heading to the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, telecommunications remained cut off for the second day in a row, obfuscating reporting on the number of casualties. Israeli forces bombed Khan Yunis, Rafah, Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City, Jabalia refugee camp, Beit Lahiya, and Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 100 Palestinians, including Al Jazeera journalist Samer Abudaqa and Palestinian New Press journalist Ramy Budair and 3 civil defense workers during an airstrike that also wounded Al Jazeera Gaza bureau chief Wael al-Dahdouh in Khan Yunis. Abudaqa was reportedly left to bleed out for 5 and half hours while rescue teams tried to secure safe passage during Israeli shelling of the area. Several members of al-Dahdouh’s immediate family were killed in an Israeli air strike on 10/25. Israeli forces also shot and killed 3 Israeli captives that had either been freed or escaped captivity in the Shuja‘iya neighborhood of Gaza City, mistaking them for Palestinians. The 3 were shirtless and holding up a white flag. The Israeli military called the incident “a tragic error.” Separately, 2 Israeli soldiers were killed in combat. Rockets were fired at Israel, causing damage near Jerusalem. In Lebanon, Israeli forces attacked Ramiya, Beit Lif, and near Alma al-Chaab, saying shots were fired toward Israel. Israel also dropped leaflets in Kfar Shuba, threatening residents to stop Hezbollah from operating in the area for their own safety. In the Red Sea, projectiles fired from Yemen hit 2 cargo ships. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/15; AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU 12/16; AP, REU 12/17; AP, NYT 12/18)
More than 18,897 Palestinians had been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 7,729 children and 5,153 women, and around 51,000 had been injured since 10/7. At least 8,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 280 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 72 children. More than 3,387 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7. 119 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 648 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. As of 12/3, at least 52,000 housing units had been destroyed and 253,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. 115 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. (UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 12/15)
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs released a report, saying 476 Palestinians, including 112 children, have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in 2023. Of the 476, 276 have been killed since 10/7. 12,566 have been injured, including 1,841 children. Israeli forces have also demolished 1,010 structures since 1/1, displacing 1,884 people while settler violence has displaced 1,442. (UNOCHA 12/15)
Israel said it found the bodies of 3 Israeli captives in Gaza, including 2 soldiers and a civilian. The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society said 4,420 Palestinians have been arrested in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7. (HA, NYT, REU 12/15)
The Israeli security cabinet approved the reopening of the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing for humanitarian aid after U.S. pressure. Haaretz reported that the Israeli military, with approval from Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich and Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben-Gvir, had allowed 10,000 Palestinians from the West Bank to work in Israeli settlements upon request from settlement leaders. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, UNOCHA 12/15; HA 12/16)
The Foreign Press Association and Al Jazeera condemned the Israeli killing of Al Jazeera journalist Samer Abudaqa. Al Jazeera said it would refer the killing of Abudaqa to the ICC. U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby called Abudaqa’s death a “heavy loss” but said there was no indication that Israel deliberately targets journalists. (AJ, AJ, HA 12/15; AJ, AJ 12/16; HA 12/17)
Israelis demonstrated in several places over the military’s killing of 3 Israeli captives in Gaza City. (HA 12/15; HA 12/16)
U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan met with PA president Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the 2 discussed “governance possibilities” for after Israel’s war. Abbas told Sullivan that the U.S. must intervene to prevent the forceful displacement of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and to stop the bombing of Gaza. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 12/15)
Israeli heritage minister Amichai Eliyahu said Gaza must be “fully occupied.” (AJ, HA 12/15)
National Security Advisor Sullivan also met with Israeli officials for the second day in a row, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Mossad director David Barnea. Sullivan told the press that the U.S. expects the Israeli war to transition to a phase that is “focused on targeting the [Hamas] leadership, on intelligence operations.” The U.S. also criticized Israel for attacking the Lebanese army 34 times since 10/7. (AJ, AJ, AP, NYT, NYT 12/15)
The UK, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the EU, Australia, and Canada issued a joint statement calling on Israel to take steps to end settler violence in the West Bank, calling the violence against Palestinians unacceptable. The statement said that settler impunity had led to unprecedented levels of violence. (WAFA 12/14; AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU 12/15)
A court in the Netherlands rejected a petition by human rights organizations to halt transfers of F-35 parts to Israel. (AJ, AJ, AP, REU 12/15)
In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian succumbed to injuries sustained from Israeli forces in Jenin on 10/29. Israeli settlers vandalized Palestinian vehicles during a raid in Husan. Israeli forces attacked Tulkarm refugee camp killing 5 Palestinians, including 3 in a drone strike, and injuring 18. Israel also damaged water, electricity, and sewage lines, uprooted streets, and bulldozed a monument to Yasir Arafat. Israeli forces also shot and killed a Palestinian who allegedly tried to stab a soldier near Beit Einun. Elsewhere, Israeli forces punitively demolished the family home in ‘Urif of a Palestinian killed by Israeli forces after he allegedly killed 4 settlers near the Eli settlement on 6/20. 28 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Qalqilya, Jenin, Nablus, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 90 Palestinians in Khan Yunis and Gaza City, including at least 13 people in an airstrike on Khan Yunis. The number of fatalities was likely much higher since the Gaza Ministry of Health was unable to communicate with hospitals and civil defense members in northern Gaza. Israel said it had taken control of al-Shati refugee camp. Israel forces fired shots at al-Shifa Hospital. At the end of the day, Israel told the Gaza Ministry of Health that it will enter the hospital. Israel has bombed the vicinity of the hospital for days. 2 Israeli soldiers were killed and 4 seriously wounded in northern Gaza. Rockets were fired from Gaza, injuring 3 near Tel Aviv. In South Lebanon, Israel said it attacked Hezbollah sites in the Yiftah area. At the Red Sea, Israel said it intercepted a missile fired toward Eliat. The Houthi-led government in Yemen took responsibility. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/14; AJ, HA 11/15)
The Gaza Ministry of Health was not able to fully update the casualty figures due to a collapse in services and communications at hospitals in northern Gaza. However, it did say that at least 11,451 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,630 children and 3,130 women, and 27,490 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 3,250 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 187 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 47 children. More than 2,700 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals had been killed and 5,431 have injured since 10/7. 51 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.61 million Palestinians, around 70% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israel blockade. As of 11/6, at least 40,000 housing units have been destroyed and 220,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 45% of all housing units. The Gaza Ministry of Health said 40 patients at al-Shifa Hospital have died in recent days. Hospital director Mohammad Abu Salmiya said 179 people had been buried in mass graves in the hospital compound, including 7 babies and 29 intensive care patients. The WHO said 22 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza were no longer operational. 15 medical workers and 91 truckloads of aid entered Gaza. An estimated 18,000 Palestinians fled from northern Gaza to the south. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 11/14; AJ 11/15)
Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said, “because of Hamas’s use of hospitals for military purposes, [the hospitals] will lose special protection in the international court.” Israel has presented animations, pictures of purported tunnels, and a video from al-Rantisi Children’s Hospital that it said was proof of Hamas’s presence at hospitals, all of which did not show any evidence to back Israel’s claim. In the video from al-Rantisi Children’s Hospital, Israel showed a piece of paper hanging on the wall that it claimed was a list of Hamas militants’ names. However, the list was merely a calendar with the names of the days of the week written in Arabic. The U.S. said it had intelligence that suggested a Hamas and Islamic Jihad presence at hospitals in Gaza, including al-Shifa. A U.S. national security council spokesperson said “[w]e do not support striking a hospital from the air and we don’t want to see a firefight in a hospital where innocent people, helpless people, sick people trying to get medical care they deserve are caught in crossfire.” Hamas called for the UN to inspect all hospitals in Gaza to debunk the Israeli and U.S. claims. Doctors at al-Shifa also rejected the claim that Palestinian militants were operating in the hospital. Human Rights Watch said Israel had not presented evidence “that would justify stripping hospitals of their special protections under international humanitarian law,” adding “international humanitarian law only allows attacking hospitals if room is made for safe evacuation.” (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA 11/14; AJ, REU 11/15)
Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the prison facility where Israel is holding members of Hamas who were captured during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, saying prisoners were “handcuffed in a dark cell, iron beds, toilets in a hole in the floor and the [Israeli] national anthem constantly playing in the background.” Ben-Gvir said he will promote the death penalty for the Palestinian militants. (HA 11/14)
A New York Times investigation into an attack on al-Shifa Hospital on 11/10 said it was likely an Israeli attack that killed 7 people at the hospital and not an errant missile fired from Gaza as Israel had claimed. (AJ, NYT 11/14)
Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said he welcomed “the initiative of members of Knesset Ram Ben-Barak and Danny Danon on the voluntary immigration of Gaza Arabs to countries around the world. This is the right humanitarian solution for the residents of Gaza and the entire region.” Smotrich was referencing an op-ed written by Ben-Barak and Danon that was published in the Wall Street Journal on 11/13. The PA and Hamas condemned Smotrich comments. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, REU, WAFA 11/14)
U.S. president Joe Biden discussed efforts for a prisoner exchange with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Shin Bet director Ronan Bar met with Egyptian officials in Egypt, discussing a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas. Nearly 100 members of the U.S. Congress watched a screening of a 43-minute video of the Hamas Al-Aqsa Flood Operation on 10/7. The screening was facilitated by the Israeli embassy. (HA 11/14)
Belize said it had withdrawn its accreditation for the Israeli ambassador-designate in the country, suspended activities at its consulate in Tel Aviv and the Israeli consulate in Belize, and withdrawn its request for accreditation for its consul to Israel, citing Israeli violations of international humanitarian law. (AJ 11/14)
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said “I have been clear the price of justice cannot be the continued suffering of all Palestinian civilians. Even wars have rules. All innocent life is equal in worth …. I urge the government of Israel to exercise maximum restraint …. The world is witnessing this, the killing of women and children, of babies. This has to stop.” (HA, REU 11/14; AJ, AJ 11/15)
Reuters reported that Israel had approved the delivery of 6,340 gallons of diesel to Gaza. Haaretz later reported that the fuel was only for trucks used by the UN, not for hospitals. (AJ, AX, REU 11/14; HA 11/15)
Bloomberg News reported that in late October the U.S. quietly approved an Israeli request to send it laser-guided missiles, 155mm shells, night-vision devices, bunker-buster munitions, and new army vehicles. (AJ 11/15)
The Washington Post published an op-ed by King Abdullah II of Jordan, who said Israel has undermined the peace process for 2 decades by expanding settlements and allowing Israeli settlers to attack Palestinians. He called for a “concerted international effort to develop a regional architecture of peace, security and prosperity, built on a Palestinian-Israeli peace based on the two-state solution,” saying that Israeli violence will not grant it victory. (AJ 11/14)
German chancellor Olaf Schulz said Israel is a democracy that abides by international law and said it has “the right and duty to defend itself.” (AJ, HA 11/14)
Spanish minister for social rights Ione Belarra said 60 ministers from Europe and Latin America had signed a petition calling for the ICC to investigate Israeli leaders for genocide. (AJ 11/14)
More than 500 political appointees and staff members from 40 U.S. government agencies sent a letter to President Biden protesting his support for Israel’s war on Gaza. (NYT 11/14)
Tens of thousands of pro-Israel demonstrators rallied at the Mall in Washington D.C. Among the speakers was Christians United for Israel founder John Hagee, who in the past has blamed Jewish people for the Holocaust. The American Jewish anti-occupation organization IfNotNow called the rally “a pro-war, pro-Nakba rally.” (AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU 11/14; AJ, AJ 11/15)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided at-Tuba and Wadi Ijheish in the Masafer Yatta area, assaulting Palestinians and stealing 6 sheep and agricultural equipment. Israeli settlers also raided Qaryut, vandalizing property. Israeli forces shot and killed 5 Palestinians during raids in Askar refugee camp, Dheisheh refugee camp, Bayt Rima, Balata refugee camp, and Tammun. Israeli forces also shot and injured 38 people, including at least 3 children, during raids in Tammun, Dheisheh refugee camp, Balata refugee camp, ‘Urif, Askar refugee camp, Nablus, and Bayt Rima. Meanwhile, Israeli forces punitively demolished the family home in Askar refugee camp of a Palestinian man killed by Israeli forces in Nablus in May; the man was accused of taking part in the killing of 3 Israeli settlers in April. Israeli forces also punitively demolished the family home of a Palestinian killed by Israeli forces in Burqa and delivered a punitive demolition notice to the family of a Palestinian killed in Rumana. Elsewhere, Israeli forces razed land near Abu Basal to expand a nearby settlement. Israeli forces also closed the Dream Radio station in Hebron, threating to destroy its contents if it did not stop broadcasting. 35 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Jenin, Hebron, Qalqilya, Tubas, Salfit, and Tulkarm. The PA Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs said more than 1,590 Palestinian have been arrested in the West Bank since 10/7. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces fired tear gas at Palestinians in Silwan, igniting a fire and causing injuries. In Gaza, some communications were restored after being cut off by Israel on 10/27. At least 302 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks. Islamic Jihad said Israel has assassinated 1 of its senior political officials, Taysir Alghouti, and killed several members of his family in Rafah. Islamic Jihad also said it attacked some Israeli military vehicles in Gaza. 2 Israeli soldiers were injured by a mortar shell in Gaza. Rockets were fired at Israel, causing damage. In Hanita, Islamic Jihad said 2 al-Quds Brigades fighters had been killed during an operation near the Blue Line. In Lebanon, Hezbollah said it had downed an Israeli drone. (AJ, HA 10/28; AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/29; AP, AJ 10/30)
The Gaza Ministry of Health said at least 8,005 Palestinians have been killed, including around 5,000 women and children, and 20,242 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. 1,800 Palestinians, including 940 children, have been reported missing. In addition, media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 115 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 33 children. More than 2,150 have been injured. Israeli officials recorded no new fatalities, leaving the Israeli death toll at around 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals; 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. The UN reported that over 1.4 million Palestinians, more than half the population in Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7 and that since 11 p.m. on 10/12 there has been a complete electricity blackout due to the Israeli blockade. As of 10/23, at least 27,781 housing units had been destroyed and 150,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. At least 45% of all housing units have been either destroyed or damaged in Israeli airstrikes. The bodies of 62 unidentified Palestinians were buried in a mass grave near al-Shifa Hospital. It was the third time Palestinians in Gaza had to resort to burying Palestinians killed by Israel in a mass grave since 10/7. 33 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza. Israel opened a second water pipe to Gaza. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said Israel has ordered it to evacuate al-Quds Hospital; airstrikes later damaged the hospital as well as the al-Shifa and Indonesian hospitals. UNRWA said the slow flow of aid has prompted thousands of Palestinians in Gaza to take food supplies from its warehouses. The UN said nearly 1,000 Palestinians have been displaced from their homes in the West Bank since 10/7 due to Israeli settler attacks and Israeli military demolitions. (AJ 10/28; AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 10/29; AJ, AJ, AP, WAFA 10/30)
Save the Children said more children have been killed in Gaza in the past 3 weeks than the total number of children killed in conflicts around the world since 2019, saying so far 3,324 have been killed in Gaza and 36 in the West Bank. (AJ 10/29; AJ 10/30)
A Palestinian citizen of Israel, actress Maisa Abd Elhadi, was charged by Israel with incitement to terrorism and expressing solidarity with a terrorist organization for an Instagram post. Interior Minister Moshe Arbel directed the Population and Immigration Authority to determine if he could revoke her citizenship. Elhadi was arrested on 10/12. (HA 10/30)
Reporters Without Borders said their investigation into the Israeli killing of Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah on 10/13 in Lebanon concluded that Israel intentionally targeted him and other journalists. (AJ 10/28; REU 10/29; AJ 10/30; AP 10/31)
Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant signed an order to place the settler activist Ariel Danino on administrative detention for 4 months for his involvement in settler attacks on Palestinians. (HA 10/29)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Bahraini foreign inister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani in Ramallah. PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki spoke with UK foreign secretary James Cleverly. (WAFA, WAFA 10/29)
A leaked internal U.S. State Department memo recommended that President Joe Biden pressure Israel to allow more aid to enter Gaza, estimating that 52,000 pregnant women and 30,000 babies were drinking brackish or contaminated water due to the lack of water in Gaza. (HA 10/29; AJ 10/30)
The Washington Post reported that the U.S. pressured Israel to turn communications back on in Gaza. (AJ 10/30)
International Committee of the Red Cross president Mirjana Spoljaric said “[i]t is unacceptable that civilians have no safe place to go in Gaza amid the massive bombardments, and with a military siege in place there is also no adequate humanitarian response currently possible. This is a catastrophic failing that the world must not tolerate.” (HA 10/28)
30 Israeli human rights and civil society organizations urged the international community to “act urgently to stop the state-backed wave of settler violence which has led, and is leading to, the forcible transfer of Palestinian communities in the West Bank.” The French foreign ministry called on Israel to take action to protect Palestinians in the West Bank. (AJ 10/28; HA, WAFA 10/29)
President Biden told Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu that more humanitarian aid has to enter Gaza immediately. Before the 2 spoke, U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan said Israel “has a responsibility to rein in the settlers.” Sullivan also said Israel must distinguish between “terrorist targets” and civilians and claimed Hamas was using human shields. Biden also spoke with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. (AJ 10/28; AJ, HA, REU, REU, WAFA 10/29)
UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said, “the world is witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe taking place before our eyes,” in reference to the situation in Gaza. (AJ 10/28; HA 10/29)
Pope Francis called for a ceasefire and the release of the Hamas-held captives. (HA, REU 10/29)
ICC prosecutor Karim Khan visited the Rafah crossing, saying the ICC has ongoing investigations into potential war crimes committed by Hamas and Israel. Khan said impeding aid to Gaza could constitute a war crime. (AJ 10/28; AJ, HA, HA, REU, WAFA 10/29; AJ 10/30)
Jordan said it has asked the U.S. to deploy the Patriot air defense system in Jordan. (AJ 10/28; REU 10/29)
Pro-Palestinian demonstrations were held in many cities across the world, including in Islamabad, Beirut, Berlin, Madrid, Athens, and Ottawa. (AJ 10/28; AJ, REU, WAFA 10/29)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers opened fire at Palestinians harvesting olives in Yasuf, forcing the Palestinians to flee; no injuries were reported. Israeli settlers also set fire to a home and vandalized water pipes in al-‘Awja. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 minors during raids in Huwwara and Beitunia. Israeli forces shot and injured 21 Palestinians with live ammunition during raids in al-Azza refugee camp, ‘Urif, Idhna, Beit Furik, al-Bireh, Bethlehem, al-Khader, Tura, and Beitunia. Elsewhere, Israeli forces punitively demolished a home with explosives in ‘Urif. 55 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus, Ramallah, and Jalazone refugee camp. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed around 350 Palestinians, including Hamas member Muhammad Tzviach. Israeli airstrikes destroyed the Grand al-Omari Mosque in Jabalia. Rockets were fired at Israel; no fatalities were reported. At the Lebanese border, an Israeli soldier was killed and 3 others injured in anti-tank fire near Margaliot. Israeli forces also attacked Hezbollah camps with combat helicopters. (AJ, AP, HA 10/19; AJ, AP, AP, HA, NYT, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/20; AP, HA, REU 10/21)
The Gaza Ministry of Health said as of 5 p.m. at least 4,137 Palestinians had been killed, including at least 1,524 children, and 13,162 had been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7, including 47 entire families consisting of 500 people. The UN said that about 70% of Palestinians killed in Gaza are children and women. It is estimated that hundreds are still trapped in rubble. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 83 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 25 children. More than 1,434 have been injured, including at least 350 with live ammunition. Israeli officials recorded no new fatalities, leaving the Israeli death toll at around 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals; 4,629 have been injured since 10/7. The UN reported that over 1.4 million Palestinians, more than half the population in Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7 and that since 11 p.m. on 10/12 there has been a complete electricity blackout due to the Israeli blockade. At least 21,900 housing units have been destroyed and 121,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting around 30% of all homes in Gaza. The Palestinian Red Crescent said Israel has told al-Quds Hospital to evacuate its 500 patients and the 12,000 people sheltering at the hospital. UNRWA said 16 of its staff members have been killed and 10 wounded in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. The Committee to Protect Journalists said that 22 journalists have been killed since 10/7, including 18 Palestinians, 3 Israelis, and 1 Lebanese. (AJ 10/19; AJ, HA, NYT, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/20; WAFA 10/21)
Amnesty International said it has documented Israeli actions that should be investigated as war crimes, including indiscriminate attacks leading to mass civilian casualties. (AI 10/20)
Hamas released 2 American captives, a mother and her daughter, “on humanitarian grounds” after negotiations with Qatar. It was unclear if Hamas received anything in return. A Hamas statement also said the group had released the captives “to prove to the American people and the world that the claims made by Biden and his fascist administration are false and baseless.” (AJ 10/19; AJ, HA, HA 10/20; HA 10/22)
Forensic Architecture released a preliminary analysis of the al-Ahli Arab Hospital bombing saying the “[f]ragmentation patterns may indicate the projectile came from the northeast – the direction of the Israeli-controlled side of the Gaza perimeter – and not from the west [as Israel has claimed].” UK Channel 4 and Al Jazeera have also concluded that Israeli claims that the explosion at the hospital was caused by an errant rocket are dubious. (AJ 10/19; AJ, AJ 10/20)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas traveled to Cairo for a summit on the Hamas-Israel war and humanitarian aid to Gaza. Representatives from Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UN, the UK, and the UAE will attend. In Cairo, Abbas met with UK prime minister Rishi Sunak. Abbas also spoke with French president Emmanuel Macron, Chilean president Gabriel Boric, and Pakistani caretaker prime minister Anwar al-Haq. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/20)
The Israeli prime minister’s office said, “[t]he prime minister has defined the objective – to obliterate Hamas, any talk of decisions to relinquish Gaza to the Palestinian Authority or any other authority is a lie.” (HA, HA 10/20)
The White House made a formal request to Congress for $10.6 billion in military aid to Israel, $3.7 billion in State Department financing to cover foreign military financing and embassy support, and $9.15 billion in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Israel, Gaza. U.S. president Joe Biden has publicly said $100 million will be allocated for Gaza. (AJ 10/16; HA 10/20)
The U.S. and EU issued a joint statement after the EU leadership met with President Biden in Washington D.C., expressing concern at the “deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.” More than 800 EU officials wrote a letter to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, criticizing her “uncontrolled” support of Israel and calling the EU’s response to the massacres in Gaza “indifference.” (AJ 10/19; AJ, AJ 10/20)
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Israeli attacks on Gaza amounted to genocide and had to be stopped. (AJ 10/19; HA 10/20)
The New York Times reported that the President Biden urged the Israeli war cabinet not to attack Hezbollah in a “preemptive strike,” fearing that the U.S. and Iran would get directly involved. (HA 10/21)
McDonald’s franchises in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, and Turkey pledged $3 million in support for Palestinians in Gaza after McDonald’s in Israel said its franchises there would give free meals to Israeli soldiers. (AJ 10/19; AJ 10/20)
Meta apologized for inserting the word “terrorist” in the biographies of many Palestinian users on Instagram. (AJ 10/19)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Jenin refugee camp, killing 4 Palestinians, including a minor, and injuring more than 30 others using 2 suicide drones and live ammunition. 1 Israeli military vehicle was damaged by an explosive device. The Israeli forces cut off electricity in the camp during the raid. Palestinians demonstrated against PA inaction to protect the residents of the camp after the raid. Defence for Children International said that the minor was chased and killed by Israeli forces after he had seen them sneak into the camp. Israeli forces also raided ‘Anata, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized the rooftop of a Palestinian home in Jalbun, turning it into a watchtower and placing Israeli flags on the building. Israeli forces also raided ‘Urif, taking measurements for punitive demolitions of 3 homes. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters east of Rafah, Gaza City, and Jabaliyya, killing 1 and injuring 8 others, including 3 minors, with live ammunition; others sustained tear-gas related injuries. (AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/19; AP, DCI, MDW, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA 9/20; AJ, HA, PCHR 9/21; UNOCHA 9/26)
Israeli authorities announced that they will extend the closure of the Gaza crossings indefinitely, barring Palestinian workers from entering Israel from Gaza, citing the protests in Gaza. (AP, HA, HA 9/19; MEE, REU 9/20)
UN humanitarian coordinator Lynn Hastings led a group of diplomats from Australia, Chile, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Spain, and the UK in Gaza to mark World Humanitarian Day. The group met with Palestinians who had their homes destroyed by Israel during the 2021 assault on Gaza. (UNOCHA, QDS, WAFA 9/19)
The Israeli-run Jerusalem municipality inaugurated a newly built intersection in Jerusalem, omitting the names of the Palestinian neighborhoods Sur Baher and Umm Tuba on the highway signs. (HA 9/19)
Islamic Jihad condemned the PA for threatening and arresting its members in Hebron. Hamas also called on the PA to end all arrests of political figures and release political prisoners. (QDS 9/19; MEMO 9/20)
Otzma Yehudit MK Limor Son Har-Melech spoke at a fundraising event for the Israeli terrorist Amiram Ben Uliel, who killed 3 Palestinians in an arson attack on the Dawabsheh family’s home in Duma in 2015, calling him a “holy righteous man.” (HA, QDS 9/20; MEE 9/21)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Brazilian president Luiz Inácio da Silva on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly meeting. (WAFA 9/20)
PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with U.S. assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs Barbara Leaf in New York ahead of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting on 9/21. (WAFA 9/19)
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with the leaders of Turkey, Ukraine, Germany, and South Korea on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly annual meeting. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s office said he brought up recent developments concerning Palestinians. It was the first time that Erdoğan and Netanyahu had met in person. (HA, HA, MEE, REU 9/19; ALM, HA 9/20; ALM, MEE 9/21; HA 9/22)
Israel’s ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan was removed from the part of the UN building in New York where the UN General Assembly was meeting after he held up a picture Mahsa Amini who was killed by the Iranian morality police last year and walked out of the auditorium, calling Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi “the butcher of Tehran.” (HA, MEMO 9/20)
American officials told the New York Times that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are in negotiations discussing terms for a mutual defense treaty resembling the U.S. treaties with Japan and South Korea as part of the Israeli-Saudi normalization deal. (MEE, NYT 9/19)
In a letter nearly 80 Jewish American leaders urged U.S. president Joe Biden to ensure that a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia takes Palestinians and the two-state solution into account. (HA 9/19)
An AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found that 40% of Americans describe Israel as an ally but don’t think the 2 countries share U.S. interests and values. 61% of the people polled said they disapprove of President Joe Biden’s handling of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. (AX, HA 9/19; AP 9/20)
Azerbaijan launched an attack on the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region to ethnically cleanse the area of Armenians. Israel is one of the largest suppliers of weapons to Azerbaijan and arms transfers to the country spiked in the month leading to the attack. (BBC 9/20; HA 9/27; HA 9/28; HA 10/1)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with baton rounds; 1 of the victims, a minor, underwent surgery to have his eye removed after being shot in the eye. Israeli forces also issued a punitive demolition order for the family home of 1 Palestinian in ‘Urif, who was killed on 7/20 after he allegedly killed 4 Israeli settlers. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested in Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen, including a minor, and seized their boat 3 nautical miles west of the coast. (PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/12; WAFA 8/13; PCHR 8/17; UNOCHA 8/28)
Saudi Arabia appointed its ambassador to Jordan, Nayef bin Bander al-Sudairi, as its non-resident ambassador to the PA and consul general in Jerusalem. Al-Sudairi presented his credentials to PA president Mahmoud Abbas’ diplomatic adviser Majdi al-Khalidi during a ceremony in Amman. Israeli officials said that they had not been informed of the Saudi decision and Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said that Israel “will not allow the opening of any kind of diplomatic mission” in Jerusalem. (AJ, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA 8/12; AJ, HA, MEE, NYT, QDS, WAFA 8/13; CNN, HA, WAFA 8/14)
King Abdullah II of Jordan approved a bill that human rights groups say targets free speech in the country. The bill makes online speech, including comments “promoting, instigating, aiding, or inciting immorality,” demonstrating “contempt for religion” or “undermining national unity” punishable by months in prison or fines. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE 8/12; NYT 9/2)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort attacked a Palestinian home in al-Mazra’a al-Gharbiya. Israeli settlers with military escort also attacked a house and a school in ‘Urif. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized some 150 olive tree saplings in al-Dahariya. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians near Jalazun. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ibayyat and Yabad. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA /22; WAFA 7/23; UNOCHA 7/25; PCHR 7/27; UNOCHA 7/29)
PFLP deputy secretary-general Jamal Nizar held a meeting with Egyptian intelligence head Abbas Kamal in Cairo ahead of a meeting of Palestinian factions scheduled for 7/30 in Cairo. (MEMO 7/23)
Thousands of Israelis marched from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in protest of the Israeli government’s judicial overhaul. It was the 29th week in a row Israelis protested against the Netanyahu-led government. (HA, HA, NYT, REU 7/22; AJ 7/23)
Former U.S. ambassadors to Israel Martin Indyk (Bill Clinton administration) and Daniel Kurtzer (George W Bush administration) told New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof that they think it is time that the U.S. start conditioning aid to Israel. (HA, NYT 7/22)
The EU donated $1.1 million to UNRWA allocated for Palestinian refugees in the West Bank. (WAFA 7/22; AN 7/23)
In the West Bank, unidentified gunmen opened fire at an Israeli settler vehicle near Qalqilya. Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians with batons, pepper spray, and stone at a spring near Tubas. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in Jericho. Israeli forces also leveled land and uprooted olive trees in Kafl Haris and razed an agricultural road in Zanuta. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters during a raid in Dheisheh refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also demolished a water cistern serving 6 Palestinian families in al-Baqa’a. 16 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Jericho, Tulkarm, Hebron, Ramallah, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the home of Islamic Waqf Department deputy director Najeh Bkeirat in Sur Bahir, detaining him. Israeli forces also demolished a retaining wall in al-Tur and a pergola in Wadi al-Juz. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided Silwan, damaging a house and causing tear-gas related injuries. (QDS, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/12; MEE, PCHR, WAFA 7/13; BTselem 7/19; UNOCHA 7/29)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas visited Jenin for the first time in 12 years, giving a speech in Jenin refugee camp. Abbas praised the steadfastness of the Jenin residents in light of Israel’s attacks. The visit followed Israel’s large-scale attack on Jenin refugee camp on 7/3 and 7/4. Around 1,000 PA troops secured the area for Abbas. Abbas also canceled a meeting with representatives of different Palestinian factions without giving a reason. (AJ, ALM, AN, AP, BBC, HA, MEE, NYT, QDS, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 7/12; MEE 7/13; MDW 7/14)
2 Israeli settlers, including an off-duty soldier, were charged with terrorism, 1 for vandalizing a mosque in ‘Urif and the other for placing a chair in front of the door of a Palestinian home in Umm Safa and setting the chair on fire. Both incidents occurred in June. (AJ, HA, REU, TOI 7/12)
In Lebanon, Israeli forces opened fire at people approaching the border fence to Israel near Metula; 3 members of Hezbollah were said to be injured. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, MEE, REU 7/12; HA 7/13)
Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant visited Azerbaijan, discussing strategic, diplomatic, and security ties with President Ilham Aliyev, Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov, and other officials. (ALM 7/12; HA 7/13; ALM 7/14)
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) said she would not attend Israeli president Isaac Herzog’s address to Congress, citing Israel’s ban on Omar and representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) from entering Israel and Palestine in 2019, Israel’s increase in its killing of Palestinians in the West Bank, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement that he wants to crush Palestinians’ hope of statehood. Later on 7/13 and 7/14, Omar was joined in her boycott by Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and Cori Bush (D-MO). Omar and Bowman also boycotted a speech by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi in June. (AX, HA, HA, MEE 7/13; HA, MEE 7/14; HA 7/15; WAFA 7/16)
A U.S. national security council spokesperson said that “[t]here is no talk of some kind of formal reassessment. The United States and Israel share a special bond, and our enduring commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad.” The statement followed a New York Times column by Thomas Friedman, who said a U.S. reassessment of its ties to Israel was inevitable. (NYT 7/11; HA, HA 7/12)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian vehicle near Salfit, causing damage. Israeli settlers also threw a Molotov cocktail at a Palestinian-owned truck near ‘Urif, causing it to catch fire. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers uprooted olive, apple, and almond trees in al-Khader. Israeli settlers also set fire to trees in a public park in Qarawat Bani Hassan. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beit Ijza and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/2; PCHR 7/6; UNOCHA 7/8)
Haaretz reported that Israel’s Civil Administration has not been enforcing laws against illegal construction by settlers in the West Bank since Bezalel Smotrich was placed in charge of the agency. In 2022, about 25 Israeli settlement structures were removed or demolished per month while in 2023 the average has been 2 per month. (HA 7/2)
The Israeli government approved the Ramat Arbel outpost in the Galilee as part of its effort to “Judaize” the Galilee. (HA, WAFA 7/2)
In Syria, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes on a Syrian air defense battery Israel claimed had fired an anti-aircraft missile at it which exploded in midair. (HA, MEE, REU, REU, WAFA 7/2)
Israel's Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved a preliminary vote to allow prison sentences for children under 14 if they are convicted on “terrorism” related murder or attempted murder. (HA 7/2)
Israel said it would purchase 25 F-35 fighter jets worth $3 billion from the U.S. with funds from U.S. military aid. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU 7/2)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up 6 mobile homes on Palestinian-owned land in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, creating a new settlement outpost. It was reported Israeli forces leveled land in preparation for the settlers to create the outpost. Israeli settlers also set up caravans near Mukhmas. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers also raided ‘Urif, setting fire to homes and a mosque and vandalizing the electric panel supplying the town, cutting power for hours. Security footage also showed the settlers tearing apart a Quran outside of the mosque. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Nahalin, Yasuf, and Ras Karkar. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers with a military escort also attacked Palestinians in Jalud, injuring 1 Palestinian with live ammunition and others with stones. Israeli settlers also raided Sinjil and Umm Safa before being repelled by Palestinians. Separately, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in Khirbet Tuba in the Masafer Yatta area, causing bruises and damage to property. Israeli forces raided Nablus, punitively demolishing the family home of 1 Palestinian man who allegedly took part in the killing of an Israeli soldier in October 2022; 33 Palestinians were injured by tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in Dheisheh refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 4 residential structures in al-Maleh. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers assaulted 5 Palestinians in Silwan. Israeli authorities demolished 1 agricultural structure, uprooted trees, and razed a plot of land in Umm Tuba. (ABC, AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, HA, MEE, NYT, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/22; PCN 6/23 HA, HA 6/24; PCN 6/29; PCHR 7/6; UNOCHA 7/8)
The Jerusalem District Planning Committee approved proposed plans to build a new American embassy on a plot of land known as the Allenby complex, which is privately owned by several Palestinian families. It is still undetermined if the U.S. will move ahead with its plans to build the embassy on the plot of land because it was seized by Israel from the Palestinian families after the Nakba. (HA 6/22)
U.S. ambassador to Israel Tom Nides said at a Geneva Initiative event in Tel Aviv that the U.S. does “not stand and watch settler violence. I have been very clear and very specific that we will not stand by, and we are pushing the Israelis to take whatever action they need to take to stop those people.” The Saudi foreign ministry also issued a statement condemning the settler attacks. (HA, WAFA 6/22)
The annual UN report on the treatment of children in conflict zones left out Israel on the list of shame for the killing and mistreatment of Palestinian children. According to the report, 42 Palestinian children were killed and 933 were injured during 2022. Human Rights Watch and the PA expressed disappointment that Israel was left off the list. (AJ 6/23; HRW 6/27; WAFA, WAFA 6/28 AJ 6/29)
The chair and deputy chair of the Elders, Mary Robinson and Ban Ki-moon, issued a statement after visiting Israel and Palestine, warning that the “one-state reality is now rapidly extinguishing the prospect of a two-state solution.” The statement said that Robinson and Ban did not hear a “detailed rebuttal of the evidence of apartheid. On the contrary, the declarations and policies of the current Israeli Government . . . clearly show an intent to pursue permanent annexation rather than temporary occupation, based on Jewish supremacy.” (AP, ELDERS 6/22; MEE 6/23; HA 6/26; HA 7/2)
In the West Bank, more than 250 Israeli settlers with a military escort raided Turmus ‘Ayya, shooting and killing 1 Palestinian, injuring 12 others with live ammunition, and setting 60 vehicles, 30 homes, and dozens of trees on fire. It was unclear if the Palestinian casualty was killed by settlers or Israeli forces during the raid. Israeli settlers also raided al-Mazra’a al-Gharbiya, vandalizing Palestinian property. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized farmland, a junkyard, a car wash, vehicles, and a gas station in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya. Israeli settlers also raided Kafr ad-Dik, vandalizing homes and vehicles. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers vandalized 3 agricultural structures and 25 lemon and fig trees in Burqa. Israeli settlers also set fire to farmland in Husan. Israeli forces assassinated 3 Palestinians, including 1 minor, in a drone strike on a vehicle in Jalama. The Jenin Brigades said 2 of the Palestinians were members of Islamic Jihad and 1 was a member of Fatah. It was the first time since 2006 that Israel used drones to attack Palestinians in the West Bank. Israeli forces also raided ‘Urif, arresting 5 and taking measurements for punitive demolitions of 2 homes. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Kafr Malik. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tammun, Rumana, and Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolished 2 apartments in al-Tur. (AJ, AJ, AX, BBC, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEE, NYT, PCHR, REU, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/21; AP, HA, NYT, PCHR, PCHR, TIME 6/22; MEE, NPR 6/23; HA 6/24; AJ 6/29; UNOCHA 7/8)
The PA said that it had recorded 310 settler attacks on Palestinians and their property since 6/20. (ALM 6/22)
U.S. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel called on Israel to investigate the incident in Turmus ‘Ayya and to compensate Palestinians for damaged property. The EU also called the settler attacks “unacceptable.” (HA, TOI, WAFA 6/21; MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/22)
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government would immediately advance 1,000 new settlement housing units in Eli as collective punishment for the killing of 4 Israeli settlers near the settlement on 6/20. (HA, MEE, REU, TOI 6/21; PCN 6/23)
Axios reported that U.S. senior advisor for energy and infrastructure Amos Hochstein was in Saudi Arabia to continue talks on a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. It was reported that Hochstein was discussing the Saudi demand for U.S. help in creating a nuclear program in return for formally normalizing ties with Israel. (AX 6/21)
In Gaza, Israeli forces killed 9 Palestinians during airstrikes on the third day of Israel’s attack on Gaza. Israeli forces assassinated Islamic Jihad member Ali Hassan Muhammad Ghali in an airstrike on a residential building in Khan Yunis, 2 others were also killed in the strike and 7 were injured, including 1 child and 3 women. Later Israeli forces assassinated Islamic Jihad member Ahmed Abu Daqqa in an air strike on his home in Khan Yunis, injuring 4 others, including 1 woman and 1 child. Israel also assassinated 2 members of the Mujahideen Brigades, Husain Dallol and Mohammed Dared, in an airstrike in the Shuja’iyya neighborhood of Gaza City. 2 Palestinians were killed in airstrikes in Jabaliya refugee camp. 1 Palestinian was injured in an airstrike in Nuseirat refugee camp. In Israel, 1 rocket fired from Gaza hit an apartment building in Rehovot, killing 1 Israeli and injuring 5 others. In the West Bank, an Israeli settler rammed 1 Palestinian woman near al-Arroub refugee camp, causing moderate injuries. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Beit Umar. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers razed land near ‘Urif. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian, injured 1 and arrested 4 during a raid in Nur Shams refugee camp. Israeli forces issued a stop-work order for a water pipeline near Maeen in the Masafer Yatta area. 23 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Nablus, Tubas, Tulkarm, Hebron, Bethlehem, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (HA 5/10; AJ, AJ, AP, BBC, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, NYT, PCHR, QDS, QDS, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/11; HA, MEE, PCHR, TOI 5/12; TOI 5/13; HA 5/14; PCHR 5/18; UNOCHA 5/19)
In calls overnight, U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin urged their Israeli counterparts to deescalate the situation in Gaza. Both U.S. officials also stressed the U.S.’s “ironclad support for Israel’s security.” (HA 5/10; HA, HA 5/11)
The Munich Group, consisting of the foreign ministries of Jordan, Egypt, Germany, and France, held a meeting in Berlin and expressed concern over the situation in Gaza, calling the civilian casualties “unacceptable.” (WAFA 5/11)
Israeli police issued an administrative restraining order against 2 Palestinian citizens of Israel from Tuba-Zangaria, barring them from entering Rosh Pina, Tiberias, Kfar Tavor, and Kiryat Shamona for 30 days. The 2 had not been brought in for questioning or arrested. (HA 5/11)
On the 1-year anniversary of the Israeli killing of Palestinian American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari told CNN that “we are very sorry of the death of Shireen Abu Akleh.” Abu Akleh’s niece Lina said the remarks did not amount to an apology, calling it “a slap in the face to Shireen’s legacy and to our family. An apology, which that was not, is not accountability.” Memorial services for Abu Akleh have been carried out in Washington D.C., Ramallah, and Doha. Abu Akleh’s family members, U.S. lawmakers, Al Jazeera, and several press associations marked the anniversary by demanding accountability for her death. PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh also laid the cornerstone for the Shireen Abu Akleh press museum in Ramallah which is scheduled to open in 2025. (MDW 5/9; +972, AJ, AJ, HA, MDW, MDW, MEE, WAFA, WAFA 5/11; HA 5/12; AJ 5/18)
The Israeli military refused to investigate the trashing of a Palestinian-owned apartment building in Huwwara by Israeli forces. The building was temporarily seized by Israeli forces after the large-scale settler attack in February. According to the Palestinian owner, the Israeli soldiers had vandalized his property leaving trash and feces throughout the building and burned 2 water meters and a portable toilet. (HA 5/11)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians and their property in Hebron and Nablus, injuring 2 in Nablus. Israeli settlers also assaulted 1 Palestinian farmer working his land in ‘Urif. Israeli forces shot and killed 7 Palestinians, including the alleged perpetrator of the killing of 2 Israeli settlers on 2/26 and 1 minor, and injured 25 others during a raid in Jenin. 2 Israeli soldiers were injured. The PA called the raid a “heinous crime,” while the U.S. said Israel had a right to defend itself. Israeli forces also raided ‘Askar refugee camp, arresting 2 sons of 1 of the Palestinians killed during the raid in Jenin. (AJ, ALM, AP, AX, BBC, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/7; HA, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/8; HA, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 3/9; UNOCHA 3/19)
All crossings to the West Bank and Gaza were closed by Israel for the Purim holiday. The crossings will reopen on 3/8. (HA 3/5)
Israel Hayom reported that Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen was working on normalization deals with Mauritania, Somalia, Niger, and Indonesia. Talks about normalization with those countries were reportedly brought up in conversations that included U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. Israel Hayom said Israeli talks with Mauritania were the most advanced of the 4 and that Israel had asked Germany to assist in its efforts. (ALM 3/7)
In Syria, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes in Aleppo, damaging the runway at Aleppo International Airport. The Syrian transport ministry said it had to reroute earthquake aid to other airports due to the strike. The U.S. and UN expressed concerns about the consequences of the attack, without mentioning the perpetrator. The airport reopened on 3/10. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA 3/7; REU 3/8; AJ, AP, HA 3/9; AP 3/10)
The Parliament of South Africa voted to downgrade the country’s diplomatic ties with Israel, making the Israeli embassy a liaison office, citing Israeli abuses of Palestinians. The South African government has to adopt the motion for the vote to take effect. (MEE 3/7; ALM, MEMO, WAFA 3/8)
In the West Bank, armed Israeli settlers chased Palestinian herders of their own pastures west of Jericho. Israeli forces issued demolition notices for 4 houses under construction and 1 mobile home in Aqabah. Israeli forces also seized 1 stone-cutting saw and 1 vehicle in ‘Urif. 22 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Fawwar refugee camp, ‘Urif, Bethlehem, and Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/21; PCHR 2/23; UNOCHA 3/4)
Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir ordered the Israel Prison Service to limit the shower time for Palestinian prisoners to four minutes. (HA, WAFA 2/21)
A number of Palestinian parties, including Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the PFLP, the DFLP, and Palestinian National Initiative released a joint statement criticizing the PA’s decision to withdraw the draft resolution at the UNSC and accepting the non-binding statement released on 2/20 criticizing Israeli settlements. (AJ 2/22)
The U.S. supreme court rejected a petition made by the American Civil Liberties Union to take up a 2017 Arkansas state law that require companies that contract with the state to sign a petition that they will not boycott Israel. (AJ, GDN, MDW, MEE 2/21)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian-owned car and threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near ‘Urif. Israeli settlers also attacked Israeli forces that were pursuing the suspected arsonist, blocking the soldiers’ vehicle and pushing the soldiers. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at 2 schools and homes in Burqa. Israeli settlers also the slashed tires of Palestinian vehicles in Hebron. Israeli forces uprooted olive trees from a settlement farm after the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that the farmland belongs to Palestinian families. Some 40 Israeli settlers were detained during the razing of the land. Israeli forces also issued a demolition notice and a stop-work order for 2 homes in Birin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 house in Shaab al-Butum and uprooted 100 olive and almond trees in Khillet al-Dabe in the Masafer Yatta area. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Husan, Bethlehem, Kafr Malik, Beit Sira, Tell, Nablus, Tulkarm, and Bidya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished parts of their own home in Isawiya. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/15; HA, HA, PCHR 2/16; UNOCHA 3/4)
The Knesset passed a law that allows the interior ministry to revoke the residency and citizenship of Palestinians in Israel who are convicted of terrorism and receive funding from the PA. If their citizenship and residency status is revoked, Israel can deport the Palestinian to the West Bank. (ALM, AP, HA, MEE, NYT, REU 2/15; AJ, GDN 2/16; MDW 2/20)
Reuters reported that the UN Security Council was considering a draft resolution written by the UAE in coordination with the PA to have the body condemn Israel’s settlement announcement from 2/12. The U.S. State Department called the draft resolution “unhelpful” but did not say if the U.S. would veto it. The vote is likely to take place on 2/20. (AX 2/14; REU 2/15; HA, REU 2/16; AP, HA 2/17)
An investigation by dozens of media outlets worldwide led by Forbidden Stories revealed that an Israeli company has been hired to meddle in election campaigns throughout the world. According to the company’s senior staff, the company has successfully meddled in 27 of 33 presidential-level campaigns it has been involved in, including in the 2022 Kenyan elections and the Nigerian elections in 2015. (GDN, HA, HA, HA 2/15; F24, HA, HA 2/16; GDN 2/17)
Japan announced an aid package to Palestine worth some $40 million, including support for UNRWA. (WAFA 2/15)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to 1 car and threw stones at homes in ‘Urif. Israeli settlers also attempted to set fire to a car near Burin. Unidentified gunmen also opened fire at a vehicle near the Havat Gilad settlement outpost, no injuries were reported. Israeli forces assaulted 2 Palestinians and violently dispersed protesters in Husan, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also demolished 1 car repair shop in Hebron and 1 house in al-Khader. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tulkarm, Nablus, Jenin, Jalazun refugee camp, Kobar, Hebron, and Idhna. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested in Sur Baher. (HA, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/26; PCHR 12/29)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian farmer tending his land near Artas. Israeli settlers also threw stones at a school in ‘Urif, damaging solar panels. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian homes near Huwwara, causing damage. Israeli forces demolished 1 house under construction and 1 water well in Farsh al-Hawa. Israeli forces also issued stop-work orders for 6 homes under construction in Kafr ad-Dik. Elsewhere, Israeli forces sealed 1 water pipeline serving al-‘Awja. 24 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beit Umar, Hebron, Beitunia, Askar refugee camp, al-Mudawwar, Ya‘bad, and Huwwara. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/15; PCHR, UNOCHA 12/22)
Members of Nizar Banat’s family called on the ICC to investigate the killing of Banat by PA security forces in June 2021. Banat was killed while being arrested by PA security officers. 14 security officers were later arrested but none of them have been convicted in relation to the killing. (AP, BBC, HA, MEE 12/15; ALM 12/20)
In an interview with NPR, Israeli prime-minister elect Benjamin Netanyahu said that he will not agree to a Palestinian state with full sovereignty. “[M]y formula is very simple . . . . The only peace that will hold is one that we can defend. And the one that we can defend is one in which the Palestinians have all the powers to govern themselves, but none of the powers to threaten our life, which means that security, in whatever political arrangements we'll have realistically will have to remain in Israel's hands.” The PA called Netanyahu’s remarks unacceptable. (NPR 12/15; MEMO, WAFA 12/17 MEMO 12/18)
Unilever said the legal dispute between it and its subsidiary Ben & Jerry’s over the sale of the license to manufacture and sell the ice cream company’s products in Israel had been resolved but did not offer any details. Ben & Jerry’s recently updated its website, removing Israel as one of the countries where consumers can buy its ice cream. (GDN 12/15; EI, MEE, MEMO 12/16)
The UN General Assembly passed the resolution, “The right of the Palestinian people to self-determination,” with 167 votes in favor, 6 against, and 9 abstentions. (UN 12/15; WAFA 12/16)
In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli forces after he allegedly killed 3 Israeli settlers and injured 3 others in and around the Ariel settlement. 5 of the settlers were stabbed and 1 was killed in a car ramming. Israeli forces took measurements for a punitive demolition of the alleged assailant’s family home in Haris on 11/16. Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian near Deir Sharaf, forcing him out of his vehicle, assaulting him, and setting the vehicle on fire. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Hebron, Sa‘ir, Ar-Rashida, Yasuf, Ramin, Haris, Burin, and Kafr Laqif, causing damage. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian homes in ‘Urif. Israeli settlers also set up a mobile home in ‘Asira al-Qibliya. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor with a baton round to his head during a raid in Dura. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a funeral procession in Beit Umar, injuring 1 minor with live ammunition and others with tear gas. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Dura, Hebron, Far‘un, Ramallah, Jaba‘ and Aneen. (AJ, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/15; BBC, HA, MDW, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/16; PCHR 11/17; UNOCHA 11/25)
Israel said it would revoke work and travel permits for 500 Palestinians related to the alleged assailant in the attack above. (HA 11/16)
Off the coast of Oman, a suicide drone attacked an oil tanker owned by the Israeli businessman Idan Ofer. Israel and the U.S. said Iran was behind the attack, which caused light damage to the vessel. (AJ, ALM, AP, GDN, HA, HA, MEE, REU 11/16)
In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian child, shot by Israeli forces during a raid in al-Bireh on 9/28, succumbed to his injuries. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles in Huwwara and attacked Israeli soldiers with pepper-spray; 1 off-duty Israeli soldier was later arrested for attacking Israeli soldiers. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near al-Bireh. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set fire to a vehicle and a water tank and vandalized 80 olive and almond trees in al-Mughayyir. Israeli forces temporarily expelled Palestinians in parts of Khirbat al-Karmil to convene a conference for settlers and soldiers in the village, which is in Area A. Israeli forces also assaulted 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint near Beit Furik, causing injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near al-Bireh, injuring 2 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bethlehem, injuring 2 minors with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition in al-Ram. Israeli forces also closed the main entrance to Beit Umar. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Sa‘ir, injuring 1 minor with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 2 minors with live ammunition and arresting 4. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Nabi Salih, injuring 1 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Arroub refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians in ‘Azzun, causing tear-gas related injuries and assaulting a crew of journalists from Palestine TV. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Biddu, injuring 1 with a baton round. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting against restrictions imposed on Nablus, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also demolished 1 house in Dura, displacing 8, and destroyed a water pump south of Nablus, disrupting water supply in Burin, Madama, ‘Urif, and Asira al-Qibliya. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided a house in Shu‘fat where the family and friends of a Palestinian killed by Israeli forces on 10/19 were meeting to remember him. Israeli authorities delivered a demolition notice against a Palestinian-owned home in Silwan. 1 minor was arrested during a late-night raid in Isawiya. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, MEMO, NBC, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/20; MDW 10/21; PCHR 10/27; UNOCHA 11/1)
Palestinians in East Jerusalem and the West Bank observed a general strike in protest over the killing of a Palestinian man on 10/19 near Ma’ale Adumim. (F24, MEMO, WAFA 10/20)
The new Israeli-imposed restrictions for entry into the West Bank, outside of Israeli settlements, took effect. The heavily criticized restrictions were 1st published earlier this year in the policy paper “Procedure for entry and residence of foreigners in the Judea and Samaria area,” issued by Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories and have been slightly amended after criticism by U.S. and EU lawmakers. (GDN, MDW 10/20; NA, TOI 10/21)
Haaretz reported that Israel will approve the purchase of 2 helicopters by the PA for usage of PA officials. The helicopters, which will be stationed in Jordan, are reportedly funded by Gulf state donations. The PA will need permission from Israel to use the helicopters in the West Bank. (HA 10/20; ALM 10/21)
At a conference in Eliat attended by Morocco, Bahrain, and the UAE, Israel and Bahrain signed an agricultural cooperation deal. (REU 10/20)
The ACLU filed an appeal with the U.S. supreme court asking it to review the appeals court decision to uphold an Arkansas state law that penalizes companies boycotting Israel. The ACLU said the law violates the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. (ACLU, AJ, FOX, GDN 10/20; TOI 10/21; MDW 10/25)
The UN-mandated commission of inquiry on the occupied West Bank, Gaza, east Jerusalem, and Israel released a 28-page report, calling on the International Court of Justice to make a legal opinion on the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and said the occupation is unlawful due to its permanence and Israel’s “de-facto annexation policy.” (AP, UN, WAFA 10/20; HA, MEE, WAFA 10/21)
In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian shot on 10/15 in Qarawat Bani Hassan succumbed to his injuries. Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Qiffin. Israeli settlers also vandalized solar panels in al-Farisiyya. in Tell. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized a Palestinian school in ‘Urif, igniting a fire and smashing windows with stones. Israeli forces demolished 1 residential structure in Tell. In East Jerusalem, some 250 Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/16; PCHR 10/20; UNOCHA 11/1)
Israel closed the crossings to the West Bank and Gaza from 4 P.M. to 10/17 at 11.59 P.M. for the Jewish Sukkot holiday. (HA 10/7)
As collective punishment, Israel denied entry permits to 164 Palestinians related to people Israel perceives to be part of the Lion’s Den militia in Nablus. In the announcement, Israel touted that it had revoked entry permits this year for 2,500 Palestinians who are related to persons Israel considers militant. (HA, JP, TOI 10/16)
Israel charged 2 Palestinian citizens of Israel with cooperating with Hamas. (HA 10/16)
Lebanon reported that it had complained to the UN of 4 instances where Israeli naval forces have made incursions into Lebanese territorial waters, as demarked by the Israeli-Lebanese maritime agreement signed earlier this week. Israel denied that it had crossed into Lebanese territory. (HA, REU 10/16)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers tried to enter ‘Urif, but were repelled by Palestinians. Israeli forces razed land, uprooted 50 olive trees, and demolished 2 agricultural structures and 1 house under construction in Tuqu‘. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, Kifl Haris, Idhna, Hebron, and Beit Umar; 1 Palestinian was injured by live ammunition during the raid in Silwad and 1 was hit by a baton round; others suffered tear-gas related injuries during the raid in Beit Umar. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen northwest of Rafah and seized 3 boats carrying 2 generators and flashlights. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of al-Fukhari. In the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, 1 Israeli soldier died during a military exercise involving a tank. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/31; PCHR, PCHR 9/1)
Khalil Awawdeh suspended his over-170-day hunger strike to protest his administrative detention after Israel said it would not extend his administrative detention period beyond 10/2. Haaretz reported that Egyptian security officials had been mediating between Islamic Jihad and Israel to secure Awawdeh’s release and that talks continued for the release of Bassam al-Saadi. Their release was reportedly a demand by Islamic Jihad for agreeing to the ceasefire after Operation Breaking Dawn. Awawdeh is currently hospitalized for treatment related to his hunger strike. (MEE 8/29; AJ 8/30; AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA 8/31; MDW 9/1)
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club said that more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners would launch a hunger strike on 9/1 in protest against Israeli punitive measures against prisoners implemented since February, including limited yard time and constant transfer of prisoners. The mass hunger strike was called off after the Israeli prison service gave in to the prisoners’ demands. (HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 8/31; MEE, WAFA 9/1)
Israel imposed sanctions on 20 companies and individuals alleged to be involved in financing Hamas. The companies and individuals are in Sudan, Turkey, Algeria, and the UAE. (ALM, AP 8/31)
PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with U.S. deputy assistant secretary for Israeli and Palestinian affairs Hady Amr in Ramallah. Prime Minister Shtayyeh called on Deputy Assistant Secretary Amr to ensure that the Biden administration will fulfill its promises to the Palestinian people. (WAFA 8/31)
In Syria, Israeli forces fired missiles at the Aleppo airport and near Damascus, causing damage. (AJ, AP, REU 8/31; REU 9/1; AP, HA 9/2)
U.S. president Joe Biden and Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid spoke on the phone, discussing the U.S. reentering the Iran Nuclear Deal and both countries’ commitment to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. (AJ, REU 8/31)
The UN security council passed a resolution extending the UNIFIL mandate until 8/31/2023 and condemning harassment of UNIFIL personnel in southern Lebanon. (AP 8/31)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 150 olive tree saplings in al-Khader and set up a mobile home near Wadi Rahhal. Israeli settlers also threw stones at a house and vehicles in ‘Urif. Israeli forces assassinated Ibrahim Nabulsi, a prominent local leader of al-Aqsa Martyr Brigades, using a shoulder-launched missile, in a late-night raid in Nablus in which 2 others were killed, including 1 child, and 40 wounded with live ammunition. After the killing, a general strike was observed in the West Bank. 1 other Palestinian would later succumb to injuries sustained from the attack on 8/23. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the killing of Nabulsi in Hebron, killing 1 Palestinian child and wounding 7 others, including 2 children, with live ammunition. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians in al-Bireh, injuring 8 with live ammunition and baton rounds. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian child with live ammunition in Beit Umar. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Qalandia, injuring 1 with a baton round. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in ‘Anata, injuring 1 with a baton round. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolished 2 rooms in Isawiya. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Tur, injuring 1 with a baton round and arresting 3. (AJ, AP, HA, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEMO, PCHR, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/9; ALM, HA, MDW, PCHR 8/10; +972 HA, MEMO, PCHR 8/11; UNOCHA 8/19; MEE 8/23; MDW 8/25)
Israel Airports Authority said that Palestinians in the West Bank would be offered to travel abroad using the Ramon airport south of the West Bank. Palestinians traveling to Ramon airport would go through a security check at an Israeli checkpoint before boarding a bus to the airport. The plan, which was originally scheduled to begin on 8/22, was postponed by Israel on 8/21, with no new date set. (AP, HA, MEMO 8/9; ALM 8/16; GDN, JP 8/21)
It was reported that Meta Inc., the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, had censored social media posts about the killing of Ibrahim Nabulsi. (MEE 8/11)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 69 olive and almond trees near Salfit. Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 4 structures east of Yatta and agricultural structures east of Tubas. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian working his land east of Khirbat Einoun and confiscated 1 vehicle. Elsewhere, Israeli forces placed dirt mounds on 4 roads linking Huwwara to ‘Ayn Bus, ‘Urif, and Jamaeen. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron, Dura, al-Doha, Jalazun refugee camp, and Beita. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Silwan. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/18; PCHR 7/21; UNOCHA 7/22)
Israel said it had downed 1 drone entering Israel from Lebanon, claiming it belonged to Hezbollah. (HA 7/18; AP, HA 7/19; ALM 7/20)
The PA called on Israel to address a situation at the Allenby Bridge where thousands of Palestinians reportedly have been waiting for days to cross from Jordan to the West Bank. (WAFA 7/19; MEE 7/20)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas landed in Romania for the 1st day of 3-day trip to Romania and France where he will meet with Romanian president Klaus Iohannis and French president Emmanuel Macron. (WAFA, WAFA 7/18)
The Israeli defense ministry sent a letter to the lawyers representing 6 Palestinian rights organizations placed on the Israeli terrorism list, telling them they would need to get official permission to represent the organizations or face up to 7 years in prison. The letter was sent 2 days ahead of a hearing on the legality of the terrorism designations. (+972, HA 7/18)
Chief of staff of the Israeli armed forces Aviv Kochavi visited Morocco for meetings with Moroccan defense officials. During his visit, Chief of Staff Kochavi will meet his Moroccan counterpart Belkhir El-Farouk and Moroccan defense minister Abdellatif Loudiyi. (MEE 7/17; HA, REU 7/18; ALM, HA 7/19; TOI 7/21)
21 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives led by Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) wrote a letter to secretary of state Antony Blinken and director of national intelligence Avril Haines, expressing concern over Israel’s decision to label 6 Palestinian rights organizations terrorist organizations without producing any credible evidence to support the claim. Earlier this month, 9 EU countries dismissed Israel’s allegations from 10/2021 due to the lack of evidence against the rights organizations. (AJ 7/18; MDW 7/19; AA, WAFA, WAFA 7/20)
EU foreign ministers agreed to restart the EU-Israel Association Council set up in 1995 but suspended in 2012 due to Israel’s settlement policy. EU high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borrell said that the situation in Palestine was deteriorating and that the annual meetings of the Association council “would be a good occasion to engage with Israel on these issues.” (HA 7/18; ALM 7/19; HA 7/26)
Amnesty International and Citizen Lab published a report saying that at least 30 cell phones belonging to Thai pro-democracy activists, academics, lawyers, and NGO workers were implanted with NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware in 2020 and 2021. (AI, HA 7/18)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided al-Juwaya in the Masafer Yatta area, bringing their cattle to graze on wheat and barley crops and assaulting Palestinian herders. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian journalist at a checkpoint in al-Arroub refugee camp while she was on her way to work, claiming she had attempted to carry out a stabbing attack against Israeli soldiers; the woman was left without medical assistance for 20 minutes before a Palestinian ambulance arrived. Later, during her funeral, Israeli forces violently dispersed the funeral procession, critically injuring 1 with live ammunition, moderately injuring 2 with live ammunition, and injuring others with tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 6 others with live ammunition, including 2 who were critically injured during a punitive demolition raid in Ya‘bad; 1 family home of an alleged Palestinian attacker was demolished by Israeli forces using explosives, displacing 6. 1 of the Palestinians critically injured later succumbed to his injuries on 6/11. Elsewhere, Israeli forces handcuffed and detained for 30 minutes 2 Palestinian girls aged 11 and 12 in Hebron, claiming that Israeli settlers had reported that 1 of them carried a knife—an accusation the girls and their father denied. Israeli forces also demolished 8 residential structures and 2 agricultural structures, and seized 3 tents in al-Fakhit and al-Mirkez in the Masafer Yatta area. Separately, Israeli forces also demolished 1 house and 1 agricultural structure in az-Za’ayyem, displacing 5. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work notices for 6 houses and 4 other structures in Marda, despite the homes and structures being in Area B. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 6 Palestinian-owned tractors in the Jordan Valley. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ras Karkar, al-Midya, Beit Sira, Beit Fajjar, ‘Urif, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolished 1 Palestinian-owned house in Isawiya, displacing 8; 1 member of the displaced family had her arm fractured by Israeli forces during the demolition. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinians east of Beit Hanun; no injuries were reported. (AJ, HA, MEE, MEE, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/1; AJ, AP, HA, MDW, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/2; HA 6/3; MEE, UNOCHA 6/4; MEE 6/5; PCHR 6/9; MEE, WAFA 6/11; UNOCHA 6/17)
Israeli forces prevented the executive director of the Bisan Center for Research and Development from traveling to Jordan via the Allenby Bridge for a 2-day UN conference. (WAFA 6/2)
The Knesset passed a preliminary vote 63-14, banning the flying of Palestinian flags at state-funded institutions. Members of Meretz and Joint List voted against the bill. The bill will still have to pass 3 additional votes to become law. During the debate leading to the vote, MK Eli Cohen of Likud told Sami Abu Shehadeh of Joint List that he should “go to Gaza or Jordan.” On the same day, Israeli authorities removed a large Palestinian flag placed next to an Israeli flag with the words “We are destined to live together” from an office building in Tel Aviv. The flags were funded by the Mehazkim movement. (HA, MEMO 5/30; HA, HA 6/1; MEE 6/2; ALM, AP 6/6; REU 6/7; MDW 6/9)
Israeli conducted military drills over the Mediterranean Sea, simulating air strikes on long-range targets in what was described as a message to Iran. (AP 6/1)
Axios reported that the Pentagon is considering downgrading the U.S. official in charge of security coordination with the PA from a 3-star general to a colonel, as part of a larger push to reduce the number of U.S. generals. The ranks of the military attachés in Saudi Arabia and the UAE would also be affected by the potential change. Later, on 6/17, a bipartisan group of 32 U.S. senators wrote a letter to secretary of defense Lloyd Austin, urging him not to downgrade the post of security coordinator. The group was led by Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). (AX 6/1; AX, HA 6/17)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to dozens of Palestinian-owned olive trees in Burin, causing extensive damage. Israeli settlers also interrupted traffic and waved Israeli flags at the main intersection in Huwwara. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at a school in ‘Urif, damaging solar panels. Israeli settlers also marched through Hebron, waving Israeli flags. Israeli forces destroyed 1 water well and seized equipment in Ras Atiyeh. Israeli forces also delivered demolition notices for 2 homes in the Masafer Yatta area. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/30; MEMO 5/31; UNOCHA 6/4)
Israel’s defense minister said at a meeting of the Blue and White party that he wants to explore the option of adding the Jewish supremacist group Lehava and the Beitar Jerusalem football club fan faction La Familia to the list of terrorist organizations after both groups participated in Jewish-led violence against Palestinians during the flag march on 5/29. Israel’s public security minister Omar Bar-Lev also said at a Labor meeting that he intends to speak to the attorney-general about the issue. (AJ, F24, HA, JP, TOI 5/30; MEMO, TOI 5/31)
The PA condemned the Israeli flag march in Jerusalem on 5/29, saying it “crossed all red lines.” The UAE foreign ministry and the OIC also condemned the large settler encroachment of the Haram al-Sharif compound on 5/29, asking Israel to reduce tensions. (WAFA 5/30; HA 5/31)
The Israeli foreign ministry announced that Suriname will open its embassy to Israel in Jerusalem. The announcement came shortly after Suriname’s foreign minister Albert Ramdin met with the Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid in Israel. During the meeting, Foreign Minister Lapid offered Suriname humanitarian assistance to help the country cope with severe flooding. (HA, MEE, MEMO, REU 5/30)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to 1 Palestinian vehicle near the Za‘atra checkpoint. Israeli settlers also vandalized homes, a mosque, and a bulldozer in ‘Urif. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers with military escort stormed Huwwara, leading to a confrontation between Palestinians and Israeli forces; 1 was injured by a baton round and 6 by tear gas. Israeli settlers also removed Palestinian flags in the town. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor while escorting Israeli settlers to Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus; 19 other Palestinians were injured by baton rounds and 67 by tear gas. Israel claimed that Palestinians threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the Israeli forces escorting the settlers. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished a 2-story apartment building in Beit Safafa, displacing 13 Palestinians from 2 families. (ABC 5/24; AJ, AP, CBS, HA, JP, MDW, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/25; PCHR 5/26; UNOCHA 6/4)
An Israeli appeals court overturned a lower magistrate court’s decision from 5/23 to allow 3 Israeli Jews access to the Haram al-Sharif compound after they performed prayers at the compound, effectively upholding that Jews are not allowed to pray at the compound. The judge cited “safeguarding of public order” as a decision for the ruling. (AJ, HA, MEE, REU 5/26)
Turkey’s foreign minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu toured East Jerusalem in what was described as a private visit to prevent a chance for the public to see him accompanied by Israeli officials. The Waqf was responsible for his security at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu also met with Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid and Israel’s tourism minister Yoel Razvozov. Çavuşoğlu said that he believes Israeli Turkish normalization will have a positive impact on finding a peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. (HA 5/24; AA, AJ, ALM, HA, HA, REU, REU, WAFA 5/25)
MK Michael Biton of the Blue and White Party announced that he would no longer vote with the Israeli government coalition until an agreement has been made on public transportation reform. Biton said he would make an exception in the case of a no-confidence vote on the Israeli coalition. (TOI 5/25)
The New York Times reported that 1 Iranian engineer, Ehsun Ghadbeigi, was killed and 1 other person was injured in a suicide drone attack on the Parchin military base near Tehran. According to the reporting, a U.S. official confirmed that Ghadbeigi was assassinated but did not say who conducted the attack. The NYT said the attack fit a pattern of Israeli strikes on Iran. (HA 5/26; HA, NYT 5/27; HA 6/6)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near the Gush Etzion settlement bloc and Mukhmas. Israeli settlers also set fire to 3 Palestinian-owned vehicles in ‘Urif. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian shepherd near Umm al-Khair, causing fractures. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 4 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 2 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Turmus ‘Ayya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Ras al-Amud. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/6; PCHR 5/12; UNOCHA 5/13)
Israel’s civil administration announced in a statement that Israel will advance nearly 4,000 settlement units in the West Bank on 5/12. 1,452 of the settlement units are expected to be advanced while 2,536 are expected to be approved by Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz. (AJ, AX, HA, MEE, TOI, WAFA, WAFA. WAFA 5/6; MEE, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 5/7)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers prevented an Israeli road company from carrying out work to reopen a road for Palestinians connecting the village of Azzariyeh to Bethlehem. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor during a raid in Husan, saying he had thrown a Molotov cocktail at the Israeli forces; 4 others were injured by live ammunition. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a raid in Silwad; 6 others were injured. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a raid in Nablus and injured 16 others. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a raid in Beita. Meanwhile, Israeli forces raided Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus, violently dispersing Palestinian protesters; 2 were injured with baton rounds. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters during a raid in al-Khader, injuring 1 elderly Palestinian man who was sitting on his balcony with a concussion bomb to his face; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Separetly, Israeli forces raided the Palestine Technical University in Tulkarm, injuring 3 Palestinians with baton rounds. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beit Umar, injuring 2 with baton rounds. Palestinians threw stones at 1 Israeli settler who entered Husan; no injuries were reported in relation to that incident. 28 Palestinians were arrested, including 26 during late-night raids in Hebron, Kobar, Beit Umar, al-Bireh, Beita, al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, ‘Urif, Qabatiya, Kafr Rai, Jaba‘, Jenin, Tubas, and Silwad, and 2 were arrested at checkpoints near Jericho and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Tur and Isawiya. (AJ, AP, F24, GDN, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, PCN, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/13; ABC, AJ, HA, MEE, PCHR, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/14; HA 4/18; HA 4/21; UNOCHA 4/23)
Commander of the Samaria Brigade Roi Zweig told his soldiers, in a televised speech, that they had to “restore the honor to this land and the people of Israel,” before the troops entered Nablus to guard the site of Joseph’s Tomb, which is undergoing restoration work after it was vandalized on 4/9. Zweig made many references to the Hebrew Bible and the promises made to the people of Israel in his speech. (HA 4/13; HA 4/14; HA 4/18)
Turkish foreign minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu told Israeli journalists in Ankara that Israel must respect “the international law on the Palestinian issue” to normalize ties with Turkey. Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu said that Turkey condemns the recent attacks in Israel and the killing of 1 unarmed Palestinian woman on 4/10. (AX, HA, TOI 4/13)
Qatar donated $1.5 million to UNRWA, earmarked for food assistance programs in Gaza. (MEMO 4/14)