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  • August 24, 2023

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  • December 17, 2021

    In the West Bank, 25 Israeli settlers posing as soldiers attacked a Palestinian couple in their home in Qaryut, leading to the hospitalization of both Palestinian victims; the settlers also caused...

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  • May 10, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 1 solar panel and 15 olive seedlings near ‘Urif. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Dura and Bayt Umar, leading to tear-gas...

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  • August 29, 2013

    In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Nablus at night, and patrols in Tulkarm and 1 nearby village at night. In East...

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  • May 5, 2013

    The Israeli air force strikes a site nr. Damascus, in a new air strike on what unnamed Western intelligence sources say was a shipment of advanced, Iranianmade missiles heading to Hizballah in...

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  • April 18, 2013

    Unidentified Palestinians fire 2 rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF violently disperse dozens of Palestinian protesters in alKhader...

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  • March 14, 2013

    IDF troops manning a watchtower nr. Tulkarm shoot and seriously injure a Palestinian teenager. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Jericho in the morning and in 1 village nr. Jenin...

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  • December 10, 2012

    The EU criticizes Israel’s settlement expansion plans in a statement released at a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels. Sweden’s FM Carl Bildt says European governments are increasingly...

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  • October 19, 2012

    President of the UNGA Vuk Jeremic says that the Palestinian bid for non-member state is likely to succeed, and that it would likely occur in the second half of 11/2012. (REU 10/19)

    The EU...

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  • July 22, 1999

    PM Barak's chief of staff Danny Yatom says that Israel is prepared to restart talks with Syria fr. the point at which they left off in 3/96, as Syria demands, but disagrees with Syria about what...

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In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort marched near Fawwar refugee camp and Dura, throwing stones at Palestinian vehicles. Israeli forces closed the entrances to the camp and village to facilitate the march. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian shepherds in Khirbet Makhul. 40 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Fawwar refugee camp, Hebron, Bethlehem, Shu’fat, Biddu, Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, Jenin, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family was forced to demolish their own home in Sur Baher. In Gaza, an explosion at a Hamas military site in Dayr al-Balah killed 1 member of the Qassem Brigades and injured 1 other. Hamas called the explosion an accident. (AP, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/24; PCHR 8/31; UNOCHA 9/11)

Representatives from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Finland, Belgium, Sweden, Canada, and Norway toured Ras al-Tin and Burqa, condemning the demolition of an EU-funded school in Ein Samia and settler violence in the area. (WAFA 8/24)

The Israeli High Court of Justice approved the punitive demolition of the family home of a 13-year-old Palestinian who allegedly stabbed an Israeli police officer at the Shu’fat checkpoint on 2/13. The Palestinian child, whose trial is ongoing, was charged with murder as an Israeli settler opened fire at the child but instead shot and killed the police officer. The court rejected the argument that the family’s home should not be demolished due to the child’s age, saying the punitive demolition would deter other children from attacking Israeli forces. (HA 8/24; AP 8/31)

PA finance minister Shukri Bishara said that the Levine case against the PA and PLO had been dropped in a U.S. court. The plaintiff sought damages from the PA and PLO for $1 billion, claiming the PA and PLO were responsible for an attack that took place in Jerusalem in 2014. (WAFA 8/24)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas chaired the 11th session of the Fatah Revolutionary Council in Ramallah. (WAFA, WAFA 8/24)

Sierra Leonean president Julius Maada Bio issued a statement saying his country will open an embassy to Israel in Jerusalem. The announcement followed a phone conversation between Maada Bio and Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen. (JP, TOI 8/25)

The Guardian reported that in a 43-page amicus brief sent to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July the UK government opposed the ICJ review of the legality of the Israeli occupation. The UK opinion raised 4 main arguments against the review, saying that the issue is a “bilateral dispute,” that the court is not equipped to examine the issue, that the review would conflict with existing agreements, and that the review is not appropriate as it asks the court to “assume unlawful conduct on part of Israel.” (AN, GDN 8/24)

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said in a report that Israel had carried out 25 attacks on Syria in 2023, including 18 air attacks and 7 ground-to-ground attacks, hitting 60 targets and killing 61 people. (HA 8/24)

The BRICS group of China, Russia, Brazil, India, and South Africa invited Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the UAE to join the group. (NYT 8/23; AP, AJ, MEE, REU 8/24; AJ, NYT, REU 8/25; AJ 8/28)

In the West Bank, 25 Israeli settlers posing as soldiers attacked a Palestinian couple in their home in Qaryut, leading to the hospitalization of both Palestinian victims; the settlers also caused significant damage to the interior of their home, their car, and their tractor; Israeli forces did not arrive to investigate the scene until 7 hours after it was reported. Israeli settlers also threw stones at 6 Palestinian homes and set a barn on fire in Burqa; Israeli forces subsequently violently dispersed Palestinians trying to repel the settlers. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers erected a settlement outpost named after the settler killed on 12/16, Nefei Yehuda, near the Kiryat Arba settlement; the Nahala movement financially supported the settlement outpost, as it had the Evyatar settlement outpost in May. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians in Hebron, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 5 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 5 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces seized 1 tractor in Masafer Yatta. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Arrabah, Silat ad-Dhahr, Jenin, and Burqa; Israeli forces seized 1 car during the raid in Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Sheikh Jarrah, injuring several journalists covering the event by physical assault, including 1 AP journalist; AP condemned the Israeli forces’ attack on its employee. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a, Dayr al-Balah, and al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, JP, MEE, MEE, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/17; MEMO 12/18; JP, WAFA 12/19; PCHR 12/23)

PA foreign ministry called on the UN to establish a protective system to ensure the safety of Palestinians as Israeli settler violence continues to increase. (WAFA, WAFA 12/17; MEMO 12/18)

Haaretz reported that the Israeli company Candiru’s spyware had been purchased by Saudi Arabia, Spain, Israel (for the Shin Bet), Singapore, the UAE, and Germany, and had been used to target people in Catalonia, Lebanon, Yemen, the occupied Palestinian territories, Singapore, Iran, Armenia, and Turkey. It was also reported by the Guardian that NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware was found on jailed Indian dissident activist Rona Wilson’s phone. (AP, GDN, HA, HA 12/17)

The UN general assembly voted 156 for, 7 against, and 15 abstaining on a draft resolution confirming the rights of Palestinians over their natural resources in the occupied territories and the rights of the native population of their resources in the occupied Golan Heights. The resolution also called on Israel to stop exploiting the resources of the territories it occupies. The 7 countries voting against the resolution were Israel, Canada, the U.S., the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, and Palau. (WAFA, WAFA 12/17; WAFA 12/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 1 solar panel and 15 olive seedlings near ‘Urif. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Dura and Bayt Umar, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 13, including 5 with live ammunition and 8 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized a caravan in Sabastiyya. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tarqumiyya and Jenin refugee camp; Israeli forces also seized a vehicle during a house raid in Aqraba. In East Jerusalem, 1 Israeli settler rammed Palestinians with his vehicle near the Old City, causing injuries; Palestinians were throwing stones at the vehicle but it was unclear what transpired before the ramming, which appeared in a video. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians in Shaykh Jarrah during a tour of the neighborhood by 2 Israeli lawmakers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. Israeli forces attacked Palestinian worshipers with tear gas, sound bombs, and rubber-coated bullets at the Haram al-Sharif compound, injuring more than 305 people, including inside of al-Aqsa Mosque where a sound bomb caught a carpet on fire. Israeli forces prevented the Palestinian Red Crescent from entering the compound. Israel also reversed its decision from 5/9 to allow Jewish worshipers to enter the Haram al-Sharif compound for the Israeli celebration of Jerusalem Day. The Jerusalem Day march was later canceled by its organizers as Israeli police decided to prevent the settler march to go through the Damascus Gate plaza. Israeli forces also confiscated the keys to the al-Aqsa Mosque from the Islamic Waqf. Also at the Haram al-Sharif compound, Israeli police were filmed beating up an Israeli-accredited Palestinian journalist covering the events for Anadolu Agency. The Palestinian Red Crescent said that 612 Palestinians were injured throughout Jerusalem, including 333 who were hospitalized. In Gaza, Israeli started a military operation later dubbed “Guardian of the Wall” after Hamas fired rockets at Israel, giving Israel hours to leave the Haram al-Sharif compound. Hamas had earlier in the day warned Israel that it would fire rockets at 6 p.m. if Israel did not remove its forces from the holy places. 20 Palestinians were killed, including 9 children, and dozens were injured. The casualties included: 2, including 1 child, in 1 drone strike at Jabaliya; 10, including 6 children in 2 drone strikes at Bayt Hanun, with 32 others wounded, including 12 children; and 1, with 2 injured, in an Israeli air strike in Khan Yunis. 7 were also killed, including 1 child, and 34 were injured in Jabaliya in an explosion that was not conclusively attributed to an Israeli air strike. Additionally, damage was sustained in al-Bureij refugee camp, al-Qarara, and Rafah. In Israel, 1 Palestinian citizen of Israel was shot dead and 1 other injured by 1 Jewish-Israeli in Lydda; 3 Jewish-Israelis were arrested. Israeli forces later violently dispersed Palestinian-Israeli protesters at the Lydda city hall. In Ramla, Jewish-Israelis threw stones at Palestinian-Israelis and their property and set fire to trash cans. Israeli police dispersed Palestinian-Israeli protesters in Nazareth, Kafr Kana, Kafr Manda, Shefa-Amr, Majdal Krum, Dayr Khana, Umm al-Fahm, Baka al-Garbiyeh, Taiba, Jaffa, Haifa, and Jaljulya; 46 were arrested. The Knesset was evacuated after a rocket from Gaza landed in the vicinity of Jerusalem. (HA 5/9; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, FOX, GDN, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, MEE, MEE, MEMO, NYT, PCHR, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/10; ALM, HA, HA, MEE, PCHR, PCHR 5/11; ALM, HA, WAFA 5/12; WAFA 5/19; MEE 5/21; NYT 5/26)

Israel closed all crossings to Gaza and the sea for fishing as collective punishment for rockets fired at Israel. (PCHR 5/10)

The PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and the PA presidency condemned Israel’s attack on the Haram al-Sharif compound and called on the international community to take action. The PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh said the Palestinian leadership is “examining all options to respond to this heinous aggression against the holy sites and the citizens.” PA president Mahmoud Abbas also discussed the situation with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/10)

Leader of the Ra’am (United Arab List) Mansour Abbas said that he had broken off contacts with Israeli opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett just before he was to have a joint meeting with them, citing the violence in Jerusalem and Gaza. Mansour Abbas met with Naftali Bennett on 5/9. (ALM, HA 5/10; ALM, HA, MEMO, NBC 5/11)

Israel attacked Syria in the Quneitra region with a helicopter, injuring 1. (HA 5/10)

Iran confirmed that it is in direct talks with Saudi Arabia to resolve the issues between the 2 countries. A Saudi official confirmed the talks on 5/7. (AJ, HA, REU 5/10)

The U.S. said 1 of its Coast Guard ships had fired 30 warning shots at 13 Iranian vessels that came too close to the ship and 6 other U.S. navy vessels. Iran said that it was the U.S. that had acted recklessly in the encounter. (AJ, HA, REU 5/10; AP, MEMO 5/11)

UN security council members met at an emergency session to discuss the situation in Palestine-Israel. No statement was issued after the meeting. U.S. state department spokesperson Ned Price said that the U.S. administration wanted to make sure that a statement would “not escalate tensions.” Spokesperson Price also refused to say if the U.S. condemned the Israeli air strike that killed 9 Palestinian children, and suggested that Palestinians, contrary to Israelis, do not have the right to defend themselves, saying that only states recognized by the U.S. have that right. (HA, MEE 5/11)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Nablus at night, and patrols in Tulkarm and 1 nearby village at night. In East Jerusalem, around 70 Jewish extremists accompanied by 40 mbrs. of the security forces enter the al-Aqsa compound, including the Dome of the Rock and the old mosque of al-Aqsa. (MNA 8/29; PCHR 9/5)

U.S. pres. Obama’s push for military action against Syria suffers a significant blow as the British Parliament votes against participation with a 285-272 vote that saw many Conservative MPs voting with the Labor opposition. Following the defeat, PM David Cameron acknowledges that Britain will now not take part in any attack on Syria. Meanwhile, Syria’s Pres. Asad vows that his country “will defend itself” against any military strikes, and Iran’s army chief of staff Gen. Hassa Firouzabadi tells the media that any attack on Syria “will drive the Zionists to the edge of fire.” (AFP, AP, Guardian, REU 8/29)

The Egyptian army kills 2 and detains 16 nr. al-Arish in what security sources describe as a targeted attack on “terrorist” outposts. (MNA 8/29)

The IAEA reports that Iran has prepared more than 1,000 advanced uranium enriching machines for start-up, but also says that Tehran has pushed back the time frame for a new reactor to come online. (AP 8/29)

The Israeli air force strikes a site nr. Damascus, in a new air strike on what unnamed Western intelligence sources say was a shipment of advanced, Iranianmade missiles heading to Hizballah in Lebanon. Israeli officials later stress that the airstrikes are aimed at Hizballah rather than destabilizing or undermining Pres. Bashar al-Asad’s regime. The Syrian government accuses Israel of ‘‘gross aggression’’ and says that the strike ‘‘opens a door to all options.’’ The opposition Syrian National Coalition also condemns the strike, saying that Israel is ‘‘taking advantage’’ of the conflict. A U.S. intelligence official says that Washington was not given any forewarning of the air raid. Iran’s Foreign Min. states that countries in the region should oppose the ‘‘assault,’’ while the Iran’s army ground forces commander Ahmad Reza Pourdastan says Tehran is ready to support its ally. Egypt condemns the airstrikes, as does the Lebanese pres. Michel Suleiman. The Arab League demands that the UN Security Council act to end Israeli attacks on Syria, though without suggesting any specific measures. (Guardian, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 5/5; AP, REU 5/6)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF forces open fire on Palestinian gravel and metal collectors close to the border fence nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm in the morning, 1 village nr. Jenin and 1 village nr. Salfit in the afternoon, and in al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron and 2 villages nr. Hebron at night. Also at night, IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Bethlehem, 1 village nr. Hebron, and 2 villages nr. Jenin. (PCHR 5/9)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 2 rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF violently disperse dozens of Palestinian protesters in alKhader nr. Bethlehem, causing no serious injuries. The IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in al-Bireh, al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, 2 villages nr. Jenin, and 2 villages nr. Tulkarm at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Bethlehem, 1 village nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Jenin, and 1 village nr. Salfit at night. (REU, YA, MNA 4/18; PCHR 4/25)

U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry tells the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee that the ‘‘window for a two-state solution is shutting’’ and that the chance to create a Palestinian state alongside Israel will be lost in 1–2 years. (Guardian 4/18)

Officials from a dozen Palestinian factions including the PFLP, DFLP and Islamic Jihad—but excluding Hamas and Fatah—meet in Gaza City to discuss the resignation of Salam Fayyad. In a subsequent news conference, the factions say Pres. Mahmud Abbas should immediately start forming a Palestinian unity government of technocrats to be sworn in within three weeks. The government should then set a date for presidential, parliamentarian, and Palestinian National Council elections. (MNA 4/18)

Anonymous diplomats say that Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency have agreed to discussions in mid-5/2013. Meanwhile, U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry tells the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee that he was disappointed by the failure of talks in Kazakhstan but that a diplomatic solution to the dispute with Iran is still the best option. (AP 4/18)

IDF troops manning a watchtower nr. Tulkarm shoot and seriously injure a Palestinian teenager. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Jericho in the morning and in 1 village nr. Jenin at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 4 villages nr. Hebron, 2 nr. Jenin, and 1 each nr. Salfit and Tulkarm. (MNA 3/14; PCHR 3/21)

In an interview with Israeli television, U.S. Pres. Barack Obama says that Israel can no longer rely on a ‘‘a few [Arab] autocrats’’ to maintain regional stability and security, and that the Jewish state has ‘‘an interest in being able to speak to the Arab street.’’ Meanwhile, White House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes confirms that Obama will not introduce a new peace initiative during his Middle East visit next week. In a meeting in Moscow with Russian pres. Vladimir Putin, Palestinian pres. Mahmud Abbas says he hopes that peace talks would resume later this year, though the chances remain slim. (AP, Guardian, REU 3/14)

The Palestinian Central Election Commission announces that the 36 West Bank municipalities where voting was postponed from the original 10/20/12 and 11/24/12 elections (see QU 166 and QU 167) due to court decisions, resignation of council members, and other factors will hold local elections on 6/1. (MNA 3/14)

The International Monetary Fund warns that the PA’s fiscal situation is ‘‘increasingly precarious’’ and urges action from donors to help reduce the significant budget deficit. The IMF projects a financing gap of about $400 million for 2013 and notes that unemployment increased to almost a quarter of the labor force by the end of 2012. (AFP, REU 3/14)

U.S. Pres. Barack Obama tells Israeli media that Washington considers a nuclear Iran to be a ‘‘red line’’ with all options on the table to stop it. Obama says that U.S. intelligence believes that it would take over a year for Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. (AP 3/14; HA 3/15)

An anonymous Western diplomat says that following the recent detention (3/6) and release (3/9) of 21 UN observers by Syrian rebels, the UNDOF has stopped conducting patrols. (AP, REU 3/14)

The EU criticizes Israel’s settlement expansion plans in a statement released at a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels. Sweden’s FM Carl Bildt says European governments are increasingly frustrated by the settlement policy. The ministers also emphasize that the EU’s agreements with Israel only apply to the pre-1967 territory, which a diplomatic source tells the Israeli media could be a sign of future action related to settlement products. (JP, REU 12/10)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says that construction plans for the E1 area e. of Jerusalem do not prevent the eventual emergence of a Palestinian state, and repeats the offer of direct talks with Mahmud Abbas ‘‘without preconditions.’’ Meanwhile, Palestinian cheif negotiator Saeb Erakat outlines 3 conditions for a return to talks: (1) agreement that the goal of the peace process is a withdrawal to the 1967 borders; (2) restarting negotiations from the point they were halted; and (3) setting a 6-mo. timetable for agreement on all final-status issues. He adds that Israel should halt settlement activity, but does not list it as a condition. (AFP, JP 12/10)

Israel’s Finance Ministry deducts more than $71 m. from VAT taxes Israel collects and holds on the PA’s behalf and transfers it to Israel’s Electric Corporation to cover 37% of the PA’s electricity debt. (YA 12/10)

Independent politician Khalil Assaf says that the PA has officially agreed to allow Hamas to hold a festival in Nablus commemorating the movement’s 25th anniversary. (MNA 12/10)

In the West Bank, the IDF, citing military exercises, compels 6 Palestinian families to leave their homes in a village in the n. Jordan Valley. The IDF also notifies Palestinian farmers nr. Salfit that the road connecting the village to their fields will be demolished in the next 2 weeks. The IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon, in 1 village each nr. Jericho and Ramallah at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Bethlehem in the afternoon, and in Ramallah and nearby Qaddura r.c. at night. The Ramallah raid targets prisoner support NGO Addameer and the Palestinian NGO Network, as well as the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees. In all 3 cases, soldiers ransack the offices and confiscate equipment, including computer hardware. (WAFA 12/10; MNA 12/10; PCHR 12/13; AP 12/11)

Israeli PM Netanyahu says that Iran is getting closer to being able to build a nuclear bomb and that 2013 will be the year to confront the issue. Western diplomats say that Israel is suspected to be behind a series of leaks, intended to increase pressure, about Iranian nuclear weapon experiments. Diplomats say that the P5+1 world powers expect to hold a fresh round of talks with Tehran in early 2013. (JP, Guardian, REU 12/10)

President of the UNGA Vuk Jeremic says that the Palestinian bid for non-member state is likely to succeed, and that it would likely occur in the second half of 11/2012. (REU 10/19)

The EU issues an expression of regret over Israel’s decision (see 10/18) to approve 800 new houses in Gilo settlement, East Jerusalem. (MNA 10/19)

Armed Palestinians in the Gaza Strip detonate an improvised explosive device nr. the border fence with Israel, damaging an IDF jeep but causing no injuries. IDF troops on the Gaza border open fire on volunteers working on farmland nr. al-Bureij r.c., causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning. (YA 10/19; PCHR 10/24)

A bomb blast in Beirut kills Wissam al-Hassan, head of Lebanese domestic intelligence, as well as another 9 people and injuring more than 100. In the aftermath, opposition politicians, including Saad Hariri, blame the Syrian government, and there are demonstrations across the country by Sunni Muslims. Lebanese PM Najib Mikati says he suspects the killing was linked to al-Hassan’s role in uncovering Syrian involvement in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese PM Rafiq Hariri. Iran condemns the blast the next day and hints that Israel is responsible. (Guardian, NYT, REU 10/19; BBC, REU 10/20)

PM Barak's chief of staff Danny Yatom says that Israel is prepared to restart talks with Syria fr. the point at which they left off in 3/96, as Syria demands, but disagrees with Syria about what that point is. Syria claims that fmr. PM Yitzhak Rabin had agreed to withdraw to the 6/4/67 border. Israel claims the 6/4/67 discussion was only hypothetical. (NYT 7/23; WT 7/24)

In Israel, PM Barak receives Spanish PM Aznar for talks on the peace process, Aznar's mtg. with Asad on 7/19. Aznar says that Syria asked him to relay "some specific issues" to Israel but does not elaborate publicly. Barak asks Aznar to convey messages to Arafat, Asad. (MM 7/22; RNE-1 Radio 7/22 in WNC 7/23; NYT, WT 7/23; MA 7/23 in WNC 7/26) (see 7/19)

Israel's Interior Min. refuses to renew the Jerusalem residency card of respected Palestinian prof. Musa Budeiri, gives him 30 days to leave Israel. (Guardian [Internet] 8/5; CSM 8/12; MEI 8/20) (see 7/20)

Iran captures 2 Turkish soldiers inside its territory. (VIRI 7/23, ATL 7/25 in WNC 7/26; HUR 7/26, 7/27 in WNC 7/28; WP 8/10) (see 7/18)