In the West Bank, Israeli settlers burn down a Palestinian home in al-Muarajat. Israeli settlers also try to demolish a home in al-Jiftlik. 3 settlers are injured when gunmen open fire at vehicles...
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March 28, 2024
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October 28, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shot and killed a Palestinian man harvesting olives during a raid in al-Zawiya. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Qusra, Kafr ad-...
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May 4, 2015
In Gaza, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion e. of Jabaliya to level land. IDF troops stationed nr. Rafah arrest 3 Palestinians attempting to cross the border into Israel. Off the coast nr...
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June 26, 2013
In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 3 villages nr. Hebron, Tulkarm, and 1 nearby village, Nablus, Tubas, and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; patrols in Jenin and...
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June 13, 2013
In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops operating from a border fence watchtower nr. Khan Yunis open fire and cause damage to a house. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1...
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June 11, 2013
In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct a limited incursion nr. Dayr al-Balah, levelling land alongside the border fence. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 4...
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June 6, 2013
In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; patrols in Salfit and 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, in...
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May 8, 2013
Israel’s Justice Minister Tzipi Livni meets with U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry in Rome, following a meeting last week in Washington that discussed the possibility of reviving Israeli-Palestinian...
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November 14, 2000
As Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, Israel tightens its blockade of Palestinian towns in the West Bank. During the day, 3 Palestinians are shot dead by the IDF. A 4th Palestinian is killed by...
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers burn down a Palestinian home in al-Muarajat. Israeli settlers also try to demolish a home in al-Jiftlik. 3 settlers are injured when gunmen open fire at vehicles near Jericho. Israeli forces shoot and injure 4 Palestinians during a raid in Qalandia refugee camp. Israeli forces also shoot and injure a Palestinian during a raid in Nablus. Israeli forces arrest 25 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Tulkarm, Jenin, and Salfit. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Rafah, Beit Lahiya, Gaza City, Nuseirat refugee camp, and Jabalia refugee camp, killing at least 62 people. Israeli forces also continue the sieges of al-Shifa and al-Amal hospitals, shooting and killing Sawt al-Quds Radio journalist Muhammad Abu Sakhil at al-Shifa. A Palestinian child dies of starvation at the Kamal Adwan Hospital. In Lebanon, Hezbollah forces attack Israeli positions in Kfarchouba. In Jordan, large protests near the Israeli embassy continue for the fifth day in a row. In Syria, Israeli forces bomb Damascus, injuring 2. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/28; AP, AP, REU, UNOCHA 3/29)
More than 32,552 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 13,400 children and 8,900 women, and around 74,980 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 444 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 111 children. More than 4,700 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, 252 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,520 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. Reuters reports that Israel is delaying visa requests for aid workers, hindering aid efforts. UNICEF says Israel has directly hit 212 schools in airstrikes since 10/7/2023, including 53 that have been completely destroyed. 7 members of Palestinian Red Crescent are released by Israel after being arrested at al-Amal Hospital on 2/9. (AJ, REU, REU, WAFA 3/28; UNOCHA 3/29)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas approves the new government presented to him by prime minister Mohammed Mustafa. The government will be sworn in on 3/31. The PA says Israel is showing “total contempt” for the UN Security Council ceasefire resolution with its continued attacks on Gaza. Abbas meets with Belgian foreign minister Hadja Lahbib. Lahbib says during a tour of West Bank villages “[c]olonization and increasing violence perpetrated by settlers in the West Bank are illegal. They must stop.” (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, REU, WAFA, WAFA 3/28; HA, NYT 3/29)
Hamas deputy political leader Khalil al-Hayya says he is not optimistic about a ceasefire deal in the near future but that Hamas is ready to resume negotiations and ready to show “the greatest level of flexibility for the sake of our people.” Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades leader Mohammed Deif calls on Muslims to “[s]tart marching today, now, not tomorrow, towards Palestine” in a recorded speech. (AJ, AP 3/28)
Islamic Jihad secretary-general Ziyad al-Nakhalah meets with Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran. (AJ 3/28)
Israel claims to have killed Hamas commander Raad Thabet at al-Shifa Hospital, calling him a top 10 commander. The Gaza Media Office says Israeli forces have killed around 200 people on the hospital grounds since 3/18, including 65 members of the civil defense. The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor says Israel has executed 13 children in and around al-Shifa since 3/18. (AJ, HA 3/28)
The ICJ issues new provisional orders against Israel, including ordering Israel to ensure the unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, including food, water, electricity, fuel, shelter, clothing, hygiene and sanitation requirements, and medical supplies. The ICJ also orders Israel to open up more crossings and keep them open for “as long as necessary.” The ICJ says that since the provisional measures were first ordered on 1/26 the situation in Gaza has changed from a risk of famine to the beginning of a famine. The PA and South Africa welcome the new measures. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, REU, REU, WAFA 3/28; AJ, AP 3/29)
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells families of Israeli soldiers held captive in Gaza that the Israeli military is preparing to enter Rafah. (AJ 3/28)
U.S. military chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Brown says the U.S. has not provided Israel with all the weapons they have asked for due to a lack of capacity and not being willing to provide certain types of weapons or ammunition. Politico reports that the Department of Defense is exploring creating a fund for a multinational or Palestinian peacekeeping force in Gaza. (AJ, AP, HA 3/28)
The German bank Berliner Sparkasse freezes the account of the Jewish anti-Zionist group The Jewish Voice for a Just Peace in the Middle East and request a list of its members and their addresses. (AJ 3/28)
France will reportedly pursue legal action against French Israeli soldiers implicated in war crimes in Gaza. (HA 3/28)
Japan says it will resume funding of UNRWA after foreign minister Yoko Kamikawa meets UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini in Tokyo. France says it will provide $32.41 million to UNRWA in 2024. Kuwait donates $2 million to UNRWA. (AJ, HA, REU, REU 3/28; AJ 3/29)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shot and killed a Palestinian man harvesting olives during a raid in al-Zawiya. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Qusra, Kafr ad-Dik, Deir Istiya, Haris, and Shaab al-Butum, injuring 1. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized 10 Palestinian-owned vehicles in Beit Iksa. Israeli settlers also raided at-Tuba in the Masafer Yatta area, attacking homes and stealing property. Israeli forces shot and injured a Palestinian child during a raid in al-Arroub refugee camp. Israeli forces also demolished the family home in Jalazone refugee camp of Hamas activist Bajis Nakhleh, who was arrested on 10/9, displacing 7. Elsewhere, Israeli forces placed cement barriers at the main entrance to Burqa. 25 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jalazone refugee camp, Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israel forced 3 Palestinian families to demolish their own homes in Bayt Hanina, displacing 18. In Gaza, all telecommunications were cut off for the second day in a row as Israel’s ground invasion continued overnight. Israeli airstrikes killed at least 377 Palestinians; the death toll could be much higher as the breakdown in telecommunications made delivering news from Gaza extremely difficult. Israel said it had hit 150 underground facilities and infrastructure in Gaza. Israel also said it assassinated Hamas members Asem Abu Rakaba and Ratab Abu-Tsahiban. Rockets were fired from Gaza, causing damage. Palestinian students at Netanya Academic College were attacked by Jewish Israelis chanting “Death to Arabs” at the dormitory. In Lebanon, Israel said it had attacked Hezbollah positions overnight. A surface-to-air missile was fired at an Israeli drone. A shell hit the UNIFIL headquarters in South Lebanon without exploding; it was unclear who fired the shell. UNIFIL also said 1 of its peacekeepers had been injured after a shell hit a UNIFIL base in Houla and called for a ceasefire. (HA 10/27; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/28; AP, HA, HA, HA, NYT 10/29)
The Gaza Ministry of Health said at least 7,703 Palestinians have been killed, including around 5,000 women and children, and 19,743 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. Hundreds of others are feared dead, trapped under rubble. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 109 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 30 children. More than 2,011 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 Gaza Ministry of Health also reported that Israeli attacks have killed 110 medical staff injured more than 100, that 50 ambulances have been targeted since 10/7, and that 12 hospitals and 46 healthcare facilities have been shut due to bombing or lack of fuel. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said “Israeli obstacles” impede the delivery of aid to Gaza. (AJ, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA 10/28)
Sustained Israeli settler attacks forced 141 Palestinians in Khirbet Zanuta to flee their homes. (WAFA 10/28; UNOCHA 10/29; UNOCHA, WAFA 11/1)
Amid a total communications blackout in Gaza, the Israeli military said in an English language video that Palestinians should evacuate northern Gaza. (HA 10/28; REU 10/29)
Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar said Hamas is ready for “an immediate prisoner exchange deal, all the captives in exchange for all the prisoners.” Hamas military spokesperson Abu Obeida said Israel has not been serious about a prisoner exchange and criticized Arab nations for not doing more to get humanitarian aid to Gaza. (HA 10/28)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas called for an emergency meeting of the Arab League to address the “genocide in the Gaza Strip.” PA health minister Mai al-Kaila also called the Israeli attacks genocide, saying 7,300 civilians had been killed, 70% of them women, children, and elderly. The PLO Executive Committee held a meeting in Ramallah, issuing 3 top priorities, including an immediate ceasefire, lifting of the blockade of Gaza, and halting forced displacement of Palestinians inside and outside of Gaza. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/28)
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the ground invasion of Gaza was approved unanimously by the government. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 10/28; AJ, AJ 10/29)
The U.S. told Israel that it would stop supplying weapons to Israel if they are used to arm civilians and handed out at political events. The warning followed Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s tour of Israel handing out guns to Israelis. (HA 10/28)
The U.S. aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower arrived in the Mediterranean, joining the USS Gerald Ford. (AJ, HA 10/28)
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted a massive rally in Istanbul in support of Palestinians. Erdoğan told the rallygoers that that Israel is an occupier, and that Hamas is not a terrorist organization. Israeli UN ambassador Gilad Erdan called Erdoğan a “snake” and Israel recalled all of its diplomats in Turkey. The UAE and Saudi Arabia condemned the Israeli ground operation in Gaza and the UAE called for a UN Security Council meeting on the situation. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, REU, REU, WAFA 10/28)
X and SpaceX owner Elon Musk said his Starlink satellite internet would be made available to humanitarian organizations in Gaza if the organizations are approved by both Israel and the U.S. Israel said it would not allow Starlink to be used in Gaza. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, REU 10/28)
More than 100,000 pro-Palestinian protesters marched in London. Thousands of pro-Palestinians protesters defied a ban by Paris police on their demonstration and marched in the city. 100,000 people also rallied in support of Palestine in Kerala, India. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA 10/28; AJ 10/29)
Former U.S. president and current republican front-runner for the upcoming U.S. elections Donald Trump said at a convention for the Republican Jewish Coalition that he would cancel the visas of pro-Palestinian protestors if he is elected president. Florida governor and presidential candidate Ron DeSantis again claimed that Students for Justice in Palestine “provided material support to terrorists.” Newly elected House of Representatives speaker Mike Johnson pledged support for Israel, saying “God is not done with Israel.” (HA, HA 10/28; HA 10/29)
American Muslims for Palestine said it has been forced to move its annual convention in Chicago in November after the original venue Hyatt Regency O’Hare received threats over its planned hosting of the convention. (HA 10/28)
In Gaza, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion e. of Jabaliya to level land. IDF troops stationed nr. Rafah arrest 3 Palestinians attempting to cross the border into Israel. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. A small armed group, with self-proclaimed affiliations to ISIS, posts a statement online threatening to “act” against Hamas if certain prisoners are not freed within 72 hours. Hours later, a bomb explodes on the perimeter of Hamas’s security headquarters in Gaza City. The group does not take credit for the bombing, but Hamas police proceed to arrest dozens of the group’s mbrs. and destroy a makeshift mosque-headquarters in Dayr al-Balah. In the West Bank, Israeli forces set up 12 mobile homes early in the morning on 650 dunams of previously leveled land outside a Palestinian village nr. Bethlehem. Meanwhile, the IDF conducts drills in the n. Jordan Valley, causing fire damage on large tracts of agricultural land; patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 each nr. Nablus, Qalqilya, and Jericho. Israeli forces also conduct house searches and late-night raids in and around Nablus, Jenin, and 1 village nr. Ramallah, arresting 18 Palestinians and confiscating some of their property. A Palestinian throws a Molotov cocktail at a bus of Israeli settlers nr. Nablus, then the IDF imposes a curfew on a nearby village. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security guards shoot and injure a Palestinian man at a Light Rail station nr. the French Hill settlement, after reportedly mistaking his belt buckle for a knife. (AFP, HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 5/4; AP, MNA 5/5; JP 5/7)
Israel’s High Court of Justice approves COGAT’s request to demolish a number of tents and homes in a Palestinian village nr. Hebron. Approximately 450 Palestinians will be displaced. (MNA 5/4; JP 5/5)
Israeli FM Avigdor Lieberman resigns as FM and says his Yisrael Beytenu party will not be joining the ruling coalition of PM Netanyahu’s next govt. He says that he chose “principles and not portfolios,” and that “what’s being built is not a national camp, but a govt. that smacks of opportunism.” Netanyahu’s deadline for forming a coalition is 5/6. (HA, JP, YA 5/4)
Mortar rounds fired from inside Syria hit a UN Disengagement Observer Force base in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, injuring 2 international peacekeepers. The IDF says that the fire was not deliberately aimed across the Israeli border. (AFP, REU, TOI 5/4)
In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 3 villages nr. Hebron, Tulkarm, and 1 nearby village, Nablus, Tubas, and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; patrols in Jenin and 1 nearby village, and 1 village each in Bethlehem and Hebron. Jewish settlers attack Palestinian-owned vehicles nr. Nablus, causing damage but no injuries. Settlers also set fire to olive trees nr. Hawara village. (MNA 6/26; PCHR 6/27)
The Israeli army reopens Kerem Shalom and Erez border crossings into the Gaza Strip, closed on 6/23 as a punitive measure following rocket fire. (AFP 6/26)
The Jerusalem municipality approves construction permits for 69 new homes in East Jerusalem settlement Har Homa, a day before U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry is due to arrive for talks in Israel and the West Bank. (AFP, JP 6/26)
UNESCO’s World Heritage Cmte. in Phnom Penh passes a Jordanian-sponsored resolution in an 8–3–10 vote condemning Israeli actions in Jerusalem, such as developments of the Western Wall and Temple Mount site, and resolving to maintain the places of the Old City and Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on its World Heritage Sites in Danger list. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticizes the resolution, saying it is a “dark day for UNESCO.” (ToI 6/26)
Austria completes the withdrawal of its UNDOF peacekeepers from the Golan Heights, with the remaining 70 departing via Israel. (HA 6/26)
Unidentified gunmen kidnap 2 Egyptian police officers in the s. Sinai, reportedly in revenge for an earlier assault on a Bedouin man by a police officer during a dispute at a petrol station. (Ahram 6/26)
In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops operating from a border fence watchtower nr. Khan Yunis open fire and cause damage to a house. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron in the morning and in 1 village nr. Jenin at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin and 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, and in 2 villages nr. Qalqilya, 1 village nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Jenin, and 1 village nr. Jericho at night. Jewish settlers throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at Palestinian-owned homes and a car nr. Yitzhar settlement in the n. West Bank. (MNA 6/13; PCHR 6/20)
Israeli officials confirm that plans will proceed to build more than 1,000 new homes in Bruchin and Itamar settlements, drawing criticism from the U.S. administration, with U.S. State Dept. spokesperson Jen Psaki calling the announcement “unhelpful.” Bruchin was granted legal status last year, and its residents will be allowed to construct 550 new houses, while Itamar’s will be permitted to construct 537 new homes, in association with the relevant govt. agencies. (AP, REU 6/13)
An estimated 3,000 protesters march in Beersheba to demonstrate against the proposed Prawer Plan, which will displace tens of thousands of Bedouins in the Negev. Bedouins also conduct a community-wide strike in protest of the Plan. (AFP, YA 6/13)
U.S. Pres. Barack Obama authorizes sending U.S. weapons to Syrian rebels for the 1st time. Meanwhile, a statement from the White House says that between 100 and 150 people have died from chemical weapons attacks in Syria. (AP, REU 6/13)
UN spokesperson Martin Nesirky says that the peacekeeping dept. has asked Austria to delay to the end of 7/2013 its full troop withdrawal from the UNDOF mission in the Golan Heights to enable a smooth transition. Separately, the UN also says that Syrians are being killed at an average rate of 5,000 per month, with the overall death toll nearly 93,000. (AP 6/13)
In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct a limited incursion nr. Dayr al-Balah, levelling land alongside the border fence. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 4 villages nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Ramallah and in Bethlehem at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron in the morning and in 2 villages nr. Hebron at night. During a patrol in al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas at night, IDF troops clash with stone-throwing youths and wound 5 with rubber-coated metal bullets. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities issue expulsion orders for 8 Palestinian families totalling 53 people in Bayt Hanina. (MNA, WAFA 6/11; PCHR 6/13)
PA Dep. PM Mohammad Mustafa tells a news conference in Ramallah that the PA’s debts total $4.2 billion, with those owed money including local banks and the Palestinian Pension Fund. (JP, MNA 6/11)
Austria begins withdrawing its peacekeepers from the Golan Heights-based UNDOF, with an initial group of some 60 to 80 soldiers departing. (AFP, REU 6/11)
The U.S. Treasury imposes an asset freeze under U.S. jurisdiction on 4 individuals based in West Africa it accuses of fundraising for Hizballah. Meanwhile, rockets fired from the Syrian side of the border wound 4 people in the Lebanese town of Hermel. (DS, NYT 6/11)
In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; patrols in Salfit and 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, in Jenin and 3 nearby villages in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm, 1 village nr. Hebron, and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. Jewish settlers uproot olive trees in Palestinian-owned fields nr. Hebron and in a separate incident attack Palestinian-owned cars with stones nr. Nablus, causing damage but no injuries. (MNA 6/6; PCHR 6/13)
Former president of an-Najah University Rami Hamdallah is sworn in as Palestinian PM at a ceremony with Pres. Mahmud Abbas, with the 24-member cabinet remaining mostly the same except for a few changes (such as the appointment of 2 deputy PMs, Ziad Abu Amr and Mohammed Mustafa, and a new fin. min., Shukri Bishara). Hamdallah replaces Salam Fayyad, who resigned in 4/2013. Abbas says that the new govt. is intended to remain until there can be an agreement with Hamas about when to hold elections. (MNA, REU 6/6)
Syrian opposition fighters briefly take control of a UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF)-operated crossing between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights before it is retaken by the Syrian army. In response, Austria says it will withdraw its 380 members of the 1,000-strong UNDOF force. In a separate incident, a Filipino peacekeeper is injured when a shell lands at another UNDOF base. It is unclear whether the shell was fired by govt. or opposition forces. (AP, REU 6/6)
Israel’s Justice Minister Tzipi Livni meets with U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry in Rome, following a meeting last week in Washington that discussed the possibility of reviving Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. U.S. Pres. Barack Obama speaks with PM Benjamin Netanyahu by phone to discuss the peace process. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities approve construction of 296 new settlement housing units in Beit El settlement nr. Ramallah. (JP 5/8; JP, MNA 5/9)
In the West Bank, IDF forces demolish 3 Palestinian homes in al-Auja village nr. Jericho. IDF undercover units conduct a raid nr. Jenin, arresting PA Preventive Security officer Mohammed Ahmed Zakarna, who received an amnesty a few years ago for his participation in the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron in the morning, and in 1 village nr. Tulkarm at night. IDF troops conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 1 village nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Jenin and in Tulkarm at night. IDF forces make 2 brief incursions into Gaza to level land and clear lines of sight along the border nr. Jabaliya and Bayt Hanun. (AFP, MNA 5/8; PCHR 5/9)
Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem publishes a report that says Israel killed 87 Palestinian civilians in Operation Pillar of Defense in 11/2012, 80% of whom died in the second half of the operation. (JP 5/9)
Egyptian theologian and prominent Islamist cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi enters the Gaza Strip on a high-profile official visit to the Hamas government, welcomed and hosted by PM Ismail Haniyeh (AFP 5/8)
Jordan’s parliament votes in favor of petitioning the government to expel Israeli amb. Daniel Nevo and recalling Jordan’s amb. to Israel to protest recent unrest involving Jewish settlers entering the al-Aqsa Mosque compound (see 5/7) Ultimately, Jordan’s Interior Min. Hussein al-Majali only summons Nevo to convey an official protest. (AFP 5/8)
Professor Stephen Hawking of Cambridge University pulls out of a conference in Israel in 6/2013 hosted by Pres. Shimon Peres, citing the Palestinian boycott call. Israeli FM spokesman Yigal Palmor says that ‘‘never has a scientist of this stature boycotted Israel.’’ (NYT 5/8)
The UN relocates peacekeepers from an observation post in the al-Jamla area of the Golan Heights cease-fire zone, following the most recent abduction of Filipino troops on 5/7. (AFP 5/8)
As Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, Israel tightens its blockade of Palestinian towns in the West Bank. During the day, 3 Palestinians are shot dead by the IDF. A 4th Palestinian is killed by a Jewish settler. A 5th dies of complications fr. inhaling tear gas when the IDF bars an ambulance fr. taking him to a hospital. A 6th dies of injuries received earlier. Nr. Ramallah, several Palestinians are wounded by Jewish settlers in a drive-by shooting. Beginning this evening and continuing overnight, IDF troops search, ransack at least 20 homes in area B nr. Nablus, Qalqilya, and Ramallah, arresting 15 Fatah mbrs. "suspected of carrying out terrorist attacks." Nr. Qalqilya, the IDF bulldozes several greenhouses. In a closed mtg., Arafat tells his security officials to prevent individuals fr. firing fr. areas A and Palestinian populated areas so as to reduce civilian casualties resulting fr. Israeli reprisals. (EU press release, LAW, MEZ 11/14; MENA 11/14 in WNC 11/16; LAW, MEZ, NYT, WP, WT 11/15; MA [Internet], MM, NYT 11/16; AYM 11/16 in WNC 11/17)
In Doha, the OIC issues a special nonbinding resolution on the clashes, urging mbrs. to cut ties with Israel; the U.S. to revise its "biased stance" in favor of Israel; the UN to send a peacekeeping force in the West Bank, Gaza. (MA [Internet], MM, OIC press release 11/14; AYM, IRNA 11/14 in WNC 11/15; MENA 11/14 in WNC 11/16; MM 11/15, 11/16; IRNA 11/16 in WNC 11/17; MM 11/17; JP, MEI 11/24)
Lebanon reports that IDF overflew Baalbek, Bint Jubayl, Iqlim al-Tuffah, Marja'uyun, Nabatiyya and reinforced troops in the Shaba` Farms area. UNIFIL adviser Timur Goksel says UNIFIL recorded 123 Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace btwn. 10/8 and 11/8, has protested to Israel to no avail. (AFP [Internet] 11/14; RL 11/14 in WNC 11/16)
The Clinton administration submits to Congress a request for a $750 m. supplemental aid package for Israel, Egypt, Jordan. (WP 11/15; HA [Internet], WJW 11/16)