The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole around 30 cows in ‘Ain al-Hilweh. Israeli settlers also erected a large menorah on Palestinian-owned land in Tal Ma’in in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces raided Jenin for the majority of the day and into 12/13, killing 6 Palestinians, including 4 in a drone strike, and arresting at least 100; 1 ill Palestinian child died in an ambulance that was unable to reach a hospital that was under Israeli siege. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians, including a child, during raids in Ni’lin and Kobar. Israeli forces also demolished 2 agricultural structures in ‘Anata. In addition to the 100 people detained and arrested in Jenin, 50 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus, and Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces bombed Khan Yunis, Dayr al-Balah, Rafah, Nuseirat refugee camp, and Gaza City, killing at least 217 Palestinians and injuring 455. Israeli forces raided the Kamal Adwan Hospital, arresting 71 medical staffers and bombed an UNRWA school in Beit Hanun; there were reports that medical staff had been shot and killed in the hospital. 10 Israeli soldiers were killed in combat, including 9 in the Shuja’iyya neighborhood of Gaza City. In Lebanon, Israeli forces attacked a site they claimed was used by Hezbollah. Hezbollah said it attacked 2 Israeli military positions. In Syria, Israeli forces attacked several places, saying 3 missiles were fired at the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. In the Red Sea, Israel deployed 4 warships. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/12; AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU 12/13; NYT 12/14)

More than 18,412 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 7,729 children and 5,153 women, and around 50,100 have been injured since 10/7. At least 8,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 274 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 70 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. 115 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 600 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. 107 trucks carrying aid, including fuel, entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. Israel said it had inspected aid trucks at the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing and the trucks sent to the Rafah crossing in Egypt before entering Gaza. An injured Palestinian and 399 dual nationals were evacuated to Egypt. Israel said it found the bodies of 2 Israeli captives in Gaza, including a soldier and a civilian. The Gaza Ministry of Health said it has document 360,000 cases of infectious diseases in shelters. The WHO said it has recorded cases of meningitis, jaundice, impetigo, chickenpox, and upper respiratory infections. (AJ, AJ, AX, NYT, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 12/12)

The Israeli military released data showing at least 20 out of 115 soldiers killed in Gaza have been killed in friendly fire and in accidents, including 13 that were mistaken for Palestinians. Israel said it believed that 19 of the remaining 135 Hamas-held captives were dead (AJ, HA, HA, YNET 12/12; HA 12/13)

Hamas called on the PA to end its security coordination with Israel, saying Israel does not want a political settlement but to consolidate the occupation. (AJ 12/12)

The UN General Assembly adopted an Egyptian-drafted resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate and unconditional release of all captives with 153 votes in favor, 10 against, and 23 abstentions. Austria, Czechia, Guatemala, Israel, Liberia, Micronesia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, and the U.S. voted against the non-binding resolution. Amendments put forward by the U.S. and Austria failed to reach the 2/3 threshold with 84 voting in favor of the U.S. amendment and 89 voting in favor of the Austrian amendment. Hamas welcomed the resolution. U.S. ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the U.S. opposed the “one-sided” resolution because it did not condemn Hamas (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, HA, NYT, REU, REU 12/12; AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, WAFA 12/13)

U.S. president Joe Biden gave a speech at a campaign reception, reiterating narratives that have proven to be false, including that Hamas militants beheaded babies on 10/7 and calling Hamas animals. Biden also said Israel has to strengthen the PA and said Israel was “starting to lose that support [from the EU] by the indiscriminate bombing that takes place” in Gaza. He further complained about Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition partners, naming National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Lastly, he said “I believe, without Israel as a freestanding state, not a Jew in the world is safe,” despite more than a quarter of the world’s Jewry living in the U.S. In response to Biden’s speech, PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh said the U.S. should call for an immediate ceasefire and put forward a comprehensive peace plan. Israeli minister of communications Shlomo Karhi said in response to Biden’s call for a 2-state solution that Israel would not accept a Palestinian state. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU WAFA, White House 12/12; AJ, HA 12/13)

Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a statement that “Gaza will be neither a Hamas-stan nor Fatah-stan.” Netanyahu also told the Israeli Public Broadcasting Cooperation that the Gaza “Strip will be under Israeli military control. After the war, a civilian administration will operate in Gaza and the Strip will be rehabilitated under the leadership of the Gulf states. We will not give in to international pressure.” He added he will not “let Israel repeat the mistake of Oslo.” (AJ, HA 12/12; NYT 12/13)

Haaretz reported that the Israeli military’s Influencing Department was operating a Telegram channel called 72 Virgins – Uncensored where Israelis share footage and videos of Israelis attacking Palestinians and of dead Palestinians. The channel had 5,300 followers. (AJ, HA, HA 12/12)

The Wall Street Journal reported that Israel had begun pumping seawater into the tunnel system under Gaza, citing multiple U.S. officials. (AJ, HA 12/12; HA 12/13)

The World Bank said it expected the Palestinian economy to contract by 3.7% in 2023 and 6% in 2024 due to the impact of the Israeli war on Gaza. The World Bank had expected the economy to grow by 3% in 2024. (AJ 12/12)

The lower house of the Swiss parliament moved to cut the government’s aid to UNRWA. The decision was overturned by the upper house on 12/14 (AJ, HA 12/12; REU 12/13)

German sports brand Puma announced it was ending its sponsorship of the Israeli national soccer team in 2024, saying the move was decided last year and was unrelated to the war on Gaza. BDS activists have targeted Puma for its sponsorship of Israel’s national team since it was announced in 2018. (AJ, WAFA 12/12)

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 threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Ya‘bad. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 5 Palestinians with live ammunition during a late-night raid in Balata refugee camp while securing the Joseph’s Tomb site for a settler incursion; others sustained tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also demolished 4 agricultural structures in Kafr ad-Dik and 1 agricultural structure in Bruqin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered stop-work notices for 1 mosque and 4 homes in Khashem al-Karam and seized 6 vehicles in al-Twana in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces also uprooted 120 citrus and palm tree saplings and damaged water pipes in al-‘Awja. 40 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tuqu‘, Ya‘bad, Nablus, Balata refugee camp, Kobar, Beit Sira, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in al-Thawri. (AP, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/17; AJ, HA, MDW, MEE, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA 8/18; UNOCHA 8/19; UNOCHA 9/2)

Commander of the PA security forces Nidal Abu Dukhan met with Russian deputy defense minister Alexander Formin during a security conference in Moscow, discussing military and security cooperation. (REU 8/17; MEMO 8/18)

Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid and Türkiye president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan agreed to restore full diplomatic ties during a phone call, reinstating ambassadors and consuls. Diplomatic ties between the 2 countries were severed in 2018 in the wake of the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, NYT, REU 8/17; ALM, HA 8/18)

Axios reported that U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken asked Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz to review Israel’s rules of engagement in the West Bank as a measure of accountability in relation to Israel’s killing of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. (AX 8/17; MEE 8/18)

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)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler was injured in a stabbing incident near Hizma; Israeli forces later arrested 1 Palestinian man for the stabbing and for a similar stabbing against an Israeli settler on 3/2. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting a raid in Nablus, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 agricultural structure in Kardala. 21 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Kobar, Ramallah, Nablus, Bayt Dajan, Jenin, Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, Harmala, Hebron, and Yatta. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 3/3; PCHR 3/10; UNOCHA 3/11)

The Jerusalem district court froze registration of ownership of the Alexander Nevsky Church in the Old City of Jerusalem, saying that the decision of ownership of the church was for the Israeli government to decide. The Russian government has tried to register the ownership of the church for itself rather than the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society. The Israeli justice ministry said in January 2020 that the church would be registered as owned by the state of Russia as part of a deal between Israel and Russia over the release of an Israeli citizen who was arrested in Moscow for drug trafficking. (HA 3/3)

The Saudi Arabian state news agency SPA reported that Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman said Israel could become an ally of Saudi Arabia if Israel “solve[s] its problems with the Palestinians.” Crown Prince bin Salman also said Saudi Arabia will continue talks with Iran to solve the 2 countries’ conflict. (HA, MEMO, REU, TOI 3/3)

The Israeli company American Quality Products (AQP), which is licensed to manufacture and distribute Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in Israel, filed a lawsuit against Ben & Jerry’s and its parent company Unilever in a U.S. court. The lawsuit claims that Ben & Jerry’s decision to end its licensing agreement as part of a disengagement from Israeli settlements is unlawful. AQP is using U.S. state and federal anti-BDS laws as its premise for suing Ben & Jerry’s. (CNN, HA, JP, MEMO, REU, TOI, WSJ 3/3)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian man hit 1 Israeli soldier with his car in a crash near the Halamish settlement near Deir Nidham. Israeli forces arrested the Palestinian man who also sustained injuries; it was unclear if he hit the soldier on purpose. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Sabastia and closed a road between Jenin and Nablus. Israeli settlers with military escort also closed an entry to al-Lubban al-Sharqiya. Israeli forces shot and injured 5 Palestinian protesters with rubber-coated bullets at a checkpoint near Birzeit University; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also uprooted 40 dunams (9.9 acres) of land planted with olive and almond saplings, demolished agricultural structures in Battir, and demolished 1 residential tent in Bayt Jala, displacing 6. 9 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Beit Sahour, Dheisheh refugee camp, Tulkarm, Bir al-Basha, Jaba‘, and Kobar. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a raid in Silwan. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian farmers east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also opened fire and fired tear gas at Palestinian farmers northeast of Beit Hanun, causing tear-gas related injuries. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza City, damaging 1 boat; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of al-Shuka. In the Naqab desert, Israeli police violently dispersed Palestinians protesting a forestation program designed to displace Palestinian Bedouins from their land near Sawa; 16 were arrested and 2 Israeli police officers were reportedly injured. There were also reports that stone-throwers had attacked 1 bus, that large stones had been placed on railway tracks, forcing a train to stop, and that 1 Israeli journalist was assaulted and his car set on fire. (HA, HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/11; AJ, PCHR 1/13)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Sharm al-Shaykh. President Abbas was in Egypt to participate in the World Youth Forum. (MEMO, WAFA 1/11; MEMO 1/12)

Israeli authorities charged 1 Israeli police officer with assaulting 1 Palestinian woman by ripping off her hijab, pulling her hair, and hitting her in East Jerusalem. (HA 1/11)

The Israeli supreme court ruled that the Israeli interior ministry cannot continue to deny Palestinians married to Israeli citizens residency rights, using a temporary ban that expired in July 2021. Interior minister Ayelet Shaked has instructed her ministry to hold up Palestinian applications for family unifications. (HA, WAFA 1/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian at the Container checkpoint near Bethlehem. Israeli forces claimed that he had attempted to ram Israeli soldiers with his car, a claim his family dismissed as he was on his way to pick up his sister for her wedding. Later, Israeli forces violently dispersed protests in the deceased man’s hometown of Abu Dis, leading to tear-gas and rubber-coated bullet related injuries. Israeli forces did not provide any medical attention to the man for at least 30 minutes after he was shot. Israeli settlers attacked 3 Palestinians in Ras Karkar and sealed of a main road between Nablus and Jenin. Elsewhere, settlers set fire to Palestinian-owned agricultural lands planted with almond trees in Burqa. Israeli forces assaulted 2 Palestinians in Hebron. Israeli forces also seized historical artifacts in Bayt Umar and equipment from a smith workshop in al-Sawahara. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jericho, Bethlehem, Kobar, and Qalandia. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian house in Silwan. 10 Palestinians were arrested by Israeli forces in Silwan and Issawiyya during late-night raids. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian shepherds east Bayt Hanun; no injuries were reported. In Israel, about 1,500 people protested against annexation of parts of the West Bank; among the speakers at the protest were several retired Israeli generals. (AJ, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/23; AJ, HA, PCHR, TOI 6/24; PCHR 6/25)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz said at a press briefing that Israel “won’t keep waiting for the Palestinians” in relation to peace talks and annexation. He further stated, “We won’t get into the Palestinians’ deep shit . . . The Palestinians continue to reject dialogue and to remain in their ‘deep shit.’” (HA 6/23)

The Syrian army said that Israel conducted air strikes in at least 3 different areas of Syria, killing 2 soldiers and wounding 4 others. According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 7 people were killed in the attacks. (AJ, HA, REU, TOI 6/23; AJ 6/24)

Senior aides to U.S. president Donald Trump began discussing Israel’s plan to annex parts of the West Bank. (REU 6/23)

In a report submitted to the UN Security Council 1 day ahead of its biannual meeting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the UN secretary general António Guterres called on Israel to abandon its annexation plans and called annexation a “most serious violation of international law.” (AJ 6/23)

In the West Bank, a Fatah-organized anti-annexation protest in Jericho drew large crowds and several prominent speakers, including PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, UN envoy for Middle East peace Nickolay Mladenov, and other foreign diplomats. Israeli forces prevented Palestinians from other parts of the West Bank from reaching Jericho, leading to clashes in the northern part of the Jordan Valley where 8 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces using rubber-coated bullets and tear gas. Israeli settlers threw stones on Palestinian vehicles traveling between Nablus and Jenin, causing damage. Later, Israeli settlers raided Nablus, leading to confrontations between Palestinians and the Israeli forces escorting the settlers; 1 Palestinian was injured by rubber-coated bullets, others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 16 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Jalazun refugee camp, Kobar, Ramallah, Jenin, Tubas, Tulkarm, and Bayt Fajjar. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were hospitalized after Israeli forces fired tear gas outside their house in Issawiyya. 1 Palestinian was arrested in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian shepherds east of al-Maghazi; no injuries were reported. (HA 6/21; HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/22; WAFA, WAFA 6/23; PCHR 6/25)

According to Haaretz sources, the Trump administration is considering green-lighting an Israeli plan for annexation of parts of the West Bank which would be rolled out over several installments rather than in 1 sweep. The plan is perceived as able to curb some of the criticism that Israel has received from several staunch supporters of Israel within the Democratic party since announcing its annexation plans. (HA 6/21)

120 Republican members of the U.S. House signed a letter to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing their support for Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank. The letter said that the Republican lawmakers believe that “Israel has the right to make sovereign decisions independent of outside pressure.” The signatories represent a majority of the 198 republicans in the House. (HILL 6/22; HA 6/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces set up a metal gate, shutting the main entrance to Nabi Salih. Israeli forces also handed a demolition notice for the family home of a Palestinian prisoner in Kubar and handed a stop-work order for 4 structures in the Jordan Valley. Elsewhere, Israeli forces entered al-Ibrahimi Mosque and forced worshippers and staff to leave the mosque. Israeli forces also violently suppressed a protest in al-Bireh; 2 Palestinians were injured by live ammunition, 3 by rubber-coated bullets, and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire and used water hoses on Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza City, causing damage to boats. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmland east of Rafah; no injuries were reported. In Israel, more than 150 vehicles were vandalized and racist graffiti in Hebrew, such as “Jews wake up” and “Enough with the assimilation,” was sprayed on several buildings in the Christian Palestinian village of Jish. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/11; PCHR 2/13)

At a UN Security Council meeting, PA president Mahmoud Abbas sharply rejected the U.S. administration’s peace plan, saying “[t]his is an Israeli-American pre-emptive plan in order to put an end to the question of Palestine.” While President Abbas was speaking in New York, Palestinian protesters in Ramallah demonstrated against the U.S. peace plan. After the protest, Palestinians and Israeli forces clashed at a checkpoint north of Ramallah; 2 Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets and others needing treatment for tear-gas related injuries. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, NYT, WAFA, WAFA 2/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 3 vehicles and wrote racist graffiti in Hebrew on several buildings in Qabalan. 11 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Tulkarm, Bethlehem, Nablus, Jenin, and Halhul. Israeli forces also took measurements of the family home of an accused Palestinian attacker for punitive demolition in Kobar. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian woman was shot in the head by Israeli forces using rubber-coated bullets in Issawiyya; 1 Palestinian was arrested during the raid. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire and used water hoses against Palestinian fishermen near Rafah; 2 Palestinians were arrested and 1 boat was seized. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/7; WAFA 11/8; PCHR 11/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished a home in Kobar village of a Palestinian convicted of wounding 7 Israeli settlers, leading to the death of an unborn baby. Israeli forces also seized several thousands of dollars allegedly meant for terror activities in Hebron. In late-night raids, Israeli forces arrested 21 Palestinians in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, Ramallah, and Qalqilya. The raid in Qalqilya led to clashes between Israeli soldiers and local residents seeking to block their passage. In Hebron, Israeli soldiers assaulted a Palestinian construction worker. In the West Bank village of Hizma, Israeli forces shot and injured a 13-year-old Palestinian using live ammunition during clashes when Israeli forces sealed off the entrance to the village. Israeli forces also demolished 3 agricultural structures and delivered dozens of demolition notices during their raid. Israeli forces also demolished a residential tent in Susiya near Hebron, displacing 10 Palestinians. Israeli authorities confiscated dozens of acres of Palestinian-owned agricultural land for a nature reserve south of Nablus. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli supreme court rejected Palestinian families’ appeal to protect 60 buildings in East Jerusalem from demolition. Some 500 families live in the 60 residential structures. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 4/16; HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA 4/17)

The Jerusalem District Court denied a petition by Human Rights Watch director for Israel and Palestine Omar Shakir to reverse his pending deportation. Shakir is accused by Israel of supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. Shakir’s lawyer said that they would appeal the decision. (HA, MDW 4/16; MNA 4/17)

Undercover Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian after apprehending him on a road outside Surda village near Ramallah late at night. The man was wanted in connection to the drive-by shooting attack that led to the injury of 7 Israeli settlers on 12/9. After the killing, IDF troops raid the alleged attacker’s home in nearby Kobar village, detaining his extended family, arresting his father and brother, sparking clashes with residents of the area; 3 Palestinians are injured. Separately, they arrest 4 other Palestinians accused of conspiring to perpetrate the 12/9 attack and confiscate the vehicle they allegedly used during raids in and around Ramallah. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian amid a firefight sparked by an arrest raid in ‘Askar refugee camp near Nablus. The Palestinian was reportedly wanted in connection with the killing of 2 Israeli settlers on 10/7. IDF troops shoot and injure 1 Palestinian amid clashes sparked by an IDF raid in Nabi Salih village near Ramallah; arrest 10 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm, Tubas, and Hebron; and patrol near Hebron throughout the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian car garage in Bayt Hanina and conduct raids at al-Quds University in Abu Dis, confiscating surveillance tapes and detaining several Palestinians. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian shepherds working near Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. (JP, JP, MNA, MNA, TOI 12/12; HA, HA, JP, JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, YA 12/13; PCHR 12/13)

An Israeli newborn succumbs to complications stemming from the drive-by shooting attack outside the Ofra settlement on 12/9. His mother was 7 months pregnant when she was shot and seriously injured in the attack. She gave birth hours after the shooting and remains in stable condition. (HA, JP, TOI, YA 12/12)

Israeli forces punitively demolish the Ramallah-area home of the Palestinian who killed an Israeli settler and injured 2 others in an alleged stabbing attack in the nearby Adam settlement on 7/26. The demolition sparks minor clashes with Palestinian residents of Kobar village, where the home is located; no injuries are reported. Elsewhere in the West Bank, hundreds of Israeli settlers visit Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus overnight, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and Palestinian residents of the area. Amid the clashes, IDF troops open fire on Palestinians in a vehicle allegedly speeding towards their position; 5 Palestinians are injured (2 seriously). IDF raids near Ramallah spark additional clashes; 1 Palestinian is injured and a Palestinian journalist is arrested. IDF troops arrest 17 more Palestinians, assault and injure 1, and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Jenin, Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus; and patrol near Hebron and Tulkarm. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI 8/28; MNA, WAFA 8/29; PCHR 8/30)

The Jerusalem District Court rules that the Mitzpeh Kramim settlement outpost in the West Bank can be retroactively authorized, setting a precedent that could allow for the authorization of other illegal outposts that were established “in good faith” and with government support. Israel’s Civil Administration previously stated that it approved the construction of the outpost in 1999 based on erroneous mapping of the area. Israeli NGO Peace Now responds, “It is absurd to attribute ‘good faith’ to the settlers of an illegal outpost whose homes were built illegally and without permits on private Palestinians land, because of a ‘mistake’ made by the authorities in allocating the land.” (HA, YA 8/29)

With Egypt-mediated negotiations in Cairo ongoing, Hamas releases a statement affirming that there is a “national consensus” among the Palestinians in favor of a long-term cease-fire agreement with Israel and criticizing PA president Mahmoud Abbas for undermining the indirect talks toward a deal. Meanwhile, there are reports that both the talks on a long-term cease-fire with Israel and on the Palestinian reconciliation process have stalled. (JP, TOI 8/28)

Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse the demonstrations near Khan Yunis, Rafah, al-Bureij refugee camp, Gaza City, and Jabaliya refugee camp; 2 Palestinians are killed and at least 90 are injured. Their deaths bring the Great March of Return death toll to 137. In response to shots allegedly fired at IDF border patrols in the evening, Israeli forces strike a Hamas observation post near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing damage.

In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces enter Haram al-Sharif after Friday prayers and fire sound bombs at Palestinian worshippers, clearing them from the sanctuary; 7 Palestinians and 4 Israeli police officers are injured, and 24 Palestinians are arrested. Some witnesses say that the Israelis entered the sanctuary after children threw firecrackers at them. After the clashes, Israeli forces seal the entrances to the sanctuary. The Islamic Waqf then organizes a sit-in protest outside, and the Israeli authorities order the entrances reopened hours later. Separately, Israeli forces arrest 5 Palestinians during late-night raids in Silwan and Wadi al-Juz. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian home under construction and surrounding wheat fields near Nablus, causing extensive damage. The IDF seals off the entrance to Kobar village near Ramallah, the hometown of the Palestinian who allegedly stabbed 3 Israeli settlers on 7/26. IDF troops conduct raids in the village throughout the day, sparking intermittent clashes; 5 Palestinians are injured (1 critically). Israeli soldiers also violently disperse Friday protests at Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya; 5 Palestinians are injured. Dozens of Palestinians gather outside Khan al-Ahmar, a Bedouin village near Jerusalem, to protest the impending Israeli evacuation and demolition of the village. Throughout the day, the IDF patrols near Hebron, Qalqilya, Tulkarm, and Jenin. (EI, HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 7/27; EI, MNA 7/28; PCHR 8/2)

Israeli DM Lieberman pledges to advance the construction of 400 new housing units in the Adam settlement near Ramallah, justifying the settlement growth in response to the stabbing attack on 7/26. The “best response to terrorism is increased settlement,” Lieberman tweets. The 400 units are reportedly part of an existing plan to build 1,000 new units in the settlement. (HA, MNA, TOI 7/27)

Late at night, Israeli forces carry out the punitive demolition of the Kobar home of the Palestinian who killed 3 settlers at the nearby Halamish settlement on 7/21. The demolition sparks clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians in the area; 12 Palestinians are injured. Separately, IDF troops arrest 5 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during raids nr. Hebron, Ramallah, and Bethlehem; and patrol nr. Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a 2-story building in Issawiyya, a makeshift home in Silwan, a car wash in Bayt Hanina, and a commercial structure in Jabal Mukabir. They also arrest 5 Palestinians during raids in al-Tur and Abu Dis. In Israel, the police arrest Shaykh Raed Salah, the head of the Islamic Movement’s outlawed Northern Branch, on charges related to incitement. (MNA, WAFA, YA 8/15; HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 8/16; PCHR 8/17)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for a 2d day in a row, allowing only Gazans embarking on the pilgrimage to Mecca to pass. (TOI, WAFA 8/15; OCHA 8/17)

Late at night, Israeli settlers enter Kobar, the Ramallah-area hometown of the Palestinian who stabbed 4 Israeli settlers at the Halamish settlement on 7/21. When Palestinians throw stones at the group, IDF troops escort the settlers out of the village and violently disperse the Palestinians, injuring 1. IDF troops also arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Qalqilya, and patrol nr. Hebron and Nablus during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Qalandia r.c., sparking clashes with residents; 1 Palestinian is injured. They arrest 5 more Palestinians during raids in Silwan and the Old City. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Khan Yunis. In Israel, Israeli police clash with Palestinians in Jaffa protesting the police killing of a Palestinian in the area on 7/29; 2 protesters are arrested. (MNA 8/3; MNA, TOI, YA 8/4; PCHR 8/10)

Tensions remain high in East Jerusalem after the widespread and deadly clashes on 7/21; 1 Palestinian is killed and 14 are injured in clashes in al-‘Izzariya, Wadi al-Juz, Issawiyya and al-Tur. Clashes also break out outside Haram al-Sharif throughout the day, but there are no serious injuries. Meanwhile, Palestinians across the city largely observe a commercial strike to commemorate the 3 Palestinians killed on 7/21. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 16 Palestinians during raids in Silwan, al-Tur, and the Old City. In the West Bank, a Palestinian youth is killed when he accidentally triggers a piece of unexploded Israeli ordnance nr. Tubas. IDF troops conduct raids in Kobar, the Ramallaharea village of the Palestinian who allegedly stabbed 4 Israeli settlers at the Halamish settlement on 7/21, threatening punitive demolition of his home and sparking minor clashes (there are no serious injuries). Hundreds of settlers from Halamish set up a new outpost nr. their settlement to protest the 7/21 attack. Settlers protest and throw stones at Palestinian vehicles across the West Bank in response to the attack, damaging several cars and causing no serious injuries. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 25 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, Jenin, Salfit, Tubas, Qalqilya, and Nablus; and patrol throughout the day nr. Hebron. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. al-Bureij r.c. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 7/22; MNA 7/23; PCHR 7/27)

COGAT Mordechai says that Israel is “willing to examine alternatives to the metal detectors” installed at Haram al-Sharif “as long as the solution of alternative[s] ensures the prevention of the next attack.” (YA 7/22)

Sweden, France, and Egypt call for the UN Security Council (UNSC) to hold an emergency meeting to address the escalating tensions at Haram al-Sharif. UN diplomats say they will discuss the situation on 7/24. The Middle East Quartet releases a statement of concern about the “escalating tensions and violent clashes.” (WAFA 7/22; TOI 7/23)

The IDF raids Tulkarm r.c., rounding up all inhabitants of 1 section of the camp for questioning, detaining 230 Palestinian men, allowing women and children to go after 10 hrs.; sends APCs into Rafah, shelling residential areas, wounding 3, demolishing 1 Palestinian home and 2 stores, severely damaging 5 homes; demolishes another Palestinian home nr. Hebron; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Anabta nr. Tulkarm, Asira nr. Nablus, Jaba’ nr. Jenin, Kubar nr. Ramallah, Nablus, Qalqilya, Tarqumiyya and Yatta nr. Hebron. Israel completes a section of separation wall cutting off Abu Dis fr. Jerusalem. Palestinians report that the IDF has bulldozed 24 dunams of agricultural land outside Hebron since 1/9, for construction of the wall. (ISM press release 1/12; WT 1/13; PCHR 1/15; WP 2/10)

Sharon makes a statement to the Knesset reiterating his intention to disengage unilaterally fr. the occupied territories if the Palestinians do not make concessions soon. The Knesset endorses Sharon’s statement byavote of 51-39. (AFP 1/12; MM 1/13; PR 1/14)