The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assault 4 Palestinian children in al-Juwaya in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli settlers also open fire at Palestinians traveling between ‘Asira al-Qibliya and ‘Urif; no injuries are reported. Israeli forces injure a man in a drone strike in Jenin before raiding the city and its refugee camps, uprooting streets and causing damage to homes. Israeli forces also shoot and injure a Palestinian man during a raid in Qusra, others suffer tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shoot and injure 2 Palestinians during a raid in Qalqilya. Israeli forces also demolish 3 homes in al-Walaja, displacing 16 people. Meanwhile, Israeli forces demolish 2 structures in Jalbun and declare the village a closed military zone. Israeli forces also arrest 35 Palestinians during raids in and around Yatta, Bethlehem, Jenin, and Ramallah. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Nuseirat refugee camp, Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Rafah, killing at least 76 people. Israeli forces also fire tank shells at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, causing damage. 10 children die of hunger at al-Shifa and Kamal Adwan hospitals. Al-Awda Hospital in Jabalia refugee camp, the last functional hospital in northern Gaza, suspends operations due to a lack of fuel and medical supplies. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Kafra, killing 2 civilians. Israeli forces also bomb Siddikine, Majdal Zoun, Khreibeh, Ibl al-Saqi, Bint Jbeil, and Ainata. Hezbollah attacks Birkat Risha, Ramtha, and Samaqa in Shebaa Farms. Hamas forces fire rockets at Israeli military bases in Kiryat Shmona. In Syria, Israeli forces bomb Damascus, causing damage. (AJ, AJ, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/28; AJ, UNOCHA 2/29)

More than 29,954 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 12,000 children and 7,200 women, and around 70,325 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 404 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 102 children. More than 4,592 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 240 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,429 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 112 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. (UNOCHA 2/28; UNOCHA 2/29)

Hamas official Basem Naim says there is still a wide gap between the Hamas position and the ceasefire proposal it has received, adding that Hamas’s non-negotiable demands are a final lasting ceasefire and not a pause, a total withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the freedom of movement for Palestinians in Gaza. Political leader Ismail Haniyeh calls on Muslims to march to the Haram al-Sharif compound on the first day of Ramadan. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU 2/28)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas meets with UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini in Ramallah. Abbas also sends letters to various heads of state rejecting Israel’s post-war plans for Gaza and calling for intervention to save Palestinians in Gaza. Foreign Minister Riad al-Maliki says Palestinian factions will discuss the establishment of a new technocratic PA government during a meeting in Moscow on 2/29 and that he thinks Hamas understands that if the party is included in the technocratic government it would be boycotted internationally. Al-Maliki also says that the resignation of the PA government on 2/26 was done to show the PA’s readiness to engage with international partners on the future of the PA. Al-Maliki also meets UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Turk in Geneva, Switzerland. (AJ, REU, WAFA, WAFA 2/28; HA 2/29)

Israel’s Channel 12 reports that the Israeli war cabinet has removed National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s power to manage the Haram al-Sharif compound and will not severely restrict Muslim worshippers from praying there during Ramadan. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller says that the U.S. encourages Israel to allow Muslim worshippers to enter the Haram al-Sharif compound during Ramadan. Energy Minister Eli Cohen says Israel should not normalize relations with Saudi Arabia if it means the establishment of a Palestinian state. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with UN senior coordinator for humanitarian aid and reconstruction in Gaza Sigrid Kaag, discussing aid deliveries to Gaza. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant speaks with U.S. secretary of defense Lloyd Austin, discussing aid to Gaza, Israel, and ceasefire negotiations.  (AJ, HA 2/28; AJ 2/29)

Axios reports that the U.S. is considering airdropping humanitarian aid to Gaza as the Israeli invasion has hindered aid reaching northern Gaza and severely limited the amount that can reach the south. USAID administrator Samantha Power says at the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing that the U.S. has urged Israel to open more crossings to facilitate aid deliveries. Canada says it is considering airdropping aid in Gaza. President of Refugees International Jeremy Konydyk says aid delivered by air is negligible and helps Israel’s strategy of blockading Gaza. CNN reports that the Biden administration is concerned that Israel will invade Lebanon by the end of spring or early in the summer. (AJ, AX 2/28; AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU 2/29)

Qatar and France issue a joint statement calling on Israel to open all crossings to Gaza to allow aid to enter, saying the 2 countries reject the “killing and starvation suffered by the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.” (AJ 2/28)

More than 50 international journalists sign an open letter calling on Egypt and Israel to allow journalists “free and unfettered access to Gaza.” (AJ, HA 2/28; HA 2/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shoot and kill 3 Palestinians and injure 3 others during raids in al-Fara’a refugee camp and Tubas. Israeli forces also shoot and kill a Palestinian man near al-Muntar. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian man during a raid in Beit Furik. Israeli forces also seize a bulldozer during a raid in Bidya. Meanwhile, Israeli forces also arrest 30 Palestinians from Gaza in Barta’a and 5 others in Nablus, Beit Furik, Jalazone, Jericho, and Tubas, including a Palestinian child in Jericho who was released as part of the ceasefire prisoner swap in November 2023. 9 Palestinians prisoners released as part of the deal have been arrested again. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Khan Yunis, Gaza City, Dayr al-Balah, and Rafah, killing at least 96 people. 2 babies die at the Kamal Adwan Hospital due to dehydration. 2 rockets are fired at Ashkelon, both are intercepted. 2 Israeli soldiers die in combat. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Ayta ash Shab, Sidon, and Tyre. Hezbollah fires anti-tank missiles at an Israeli airbase in the Mount Meron area, causing damage. In the Red Sea, U.S. forces shoot down 5 drones launched from Yemen. Germany naval forces also intercept a drone launched from Yemen. (HA 2/26; AJ, AJ, AP, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/27; AJ, HA, UNOCHA 2/28)

More than 29,878 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 12,000 children and 7,200 women, and around 70,215 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 404 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 102 children. More than 4,590 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 240 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,408 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. For the second day in a row, Jordan, Egypt, France, and the UAE airdrop humanitarian aid to Gaza using 6 C-130 planes. Jordanian king Abdullah II personally takes part in the airdrop mission. 135 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. (AJ, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA 2/27; UNOCHA 2/29)

The Israeli military’s Central Command commander Yehuda Fuchs signs an order to allow the Mitzpeh Yehuda settlement outpost to be turned into a new settlement called Mishmar Yehuda that initially would have 3,600 housing units and later expand to 13,600 housing units. Mitzpeh Yehuda is north of al-Ubeidiya. (HA, PCN, REU, WAFA 2/28)

Hamas official Basem Naim says Hamas has not received the U.S., Israeli, Egyptian, and Qatari ceasefire counterproposal. Reuters reports that the proposal’s first stage includes a 40-day ceasefire, a prisoner exchange ratio of 1 Israeli to 10 Palestinians, that both parties end military operations, a halt to Israeli arial reconnaissance operations for 8 hours a day, and a gradual return of Palestinians to northern Gaza except for men of military age. The second stage would see Israeli forces leave densely populated areas, at least 500 trucks carrying aid enter daily, 200,000 tents and 60,000 caravans enter Gaza, and Israel allow the rebuilding of hospitals and bakeries and allow heavy machinery to enter Gaza to remove rubble. (AJ, AJ, REU 2/27)

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki meets with WHO director-general Tedros Ghebreyesus in Geneva, Switzerland, discussing the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Al-Maliki also briefs the UN Human Rights Council on the situation in Gaza. President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh meet with Japanese foreign minister Tsuji Kiyoto in Ramallah. Japan donates $32 million in emergency aid to Gaza through the World Food Programme, WHO, and UNICEF. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/27)

The Israeli Army Radio reports that the military and the Shin Bet have urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to restrict entry for Muslim worshippers to the Haram al-Sharif compound during Ramadan, citing the security situation in the West Bank. (AJ 2/27)

Israeli economy minister Nir Barakat tells reporters at the World Trade Organization conference in Abu Dhabi that “in the wars Israel had we had a dip in the economy but immediately after we had a huge spike in innovation. And the knowledge and the experience Israel is gathering in this round of violence is second to none . . . Especially after this war I think we are probably going to be leading many, many initiatives on what next-generation warfare is going to look like.” (REU 2/27)

At the UN Security Council, UNOCHA head and representative in Geneva Ramesh Rajasingham says 576,000 people in Gaza are “one step away from famine.” (AJ, HA, REU, UNOCHA 2/27; AJ, AP 2/28)

U.S. treasury secretary Janet Yellen says Israel has started transferring the PA’s tax revenue to the PA upon request from the U.S. and that she urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to reverse the ban on Palestinians from the West Bank working in Israel. President Joe Biden meets with House speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) at the White House, urging him to pass the Senate supplemental funding bill providing aid to Israel and Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks with Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and UAE foreign minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, discussing the situation in Gaza and the establishment of a Palestinian state. USAID administrator Samantha Power says the U.S. will provide an additional $53 million in humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, NYT, REU 2/27; NYT 2/28)

Axios reports that the U.S. has given Israel until mid-March to sign a letter guaranteeing that Israel will use U.S.-provided weapons in accordance with international law and that Israel will allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. (AJ, AX 2/27)

A poll released by Data for Progress shows 67% of U.S. voters support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, including 77% of Democrats and 56% of Republicans. (AJ 2/27)

At the Michigan presidential primaries, an effort to challenge President Biden’s Gaza policy gains support as more than 100,000 voters vote “uncommitted” which organizers had urged people who are angry with Biden’s approach to do in the Democratic primary. Michigan is a swing state which former president Donald Trump won with 11,000 votes in 2016 and Biden won with 150,000 votes in 2020. (AJ, AP, HA, NYT 2/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set a house and a car on fire in Burqa. Israeli settlers also throw stones at a home and damage 10 vehicles in Huwwara. Israeli forces shoot and injure 2 Palestinians during a raid in Sarra. Israeli forces also shoot and injure a Palestinian woman in Zeita. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian man, while others suffer tear-gas related injuries during a raid in al-Arroub refugee camp. Israeli forces also raze land in Husan. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 25 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus, and Jericho; a crew of journalists from Palestine TV are detained, cuffed, and blindfolded during the raid in Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers tour the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli settlers also fence off a tract of Palestinian-owned land in Silwan. Israeli forces assault a Palestinian man in Silwan, stealing his phone and cash. Israeli forces also deliver a demolition notice for a sports club and a school in Isawiya. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Khan Yunis, Rafah, Gaza City, Dayr al-Balah, Nuseirat refugee camp, Maghazi, Beit Lahiya, and al-Bureij refugee camp, killing at least 107 people. Israeli forces also open fire at Palestinians waiting to receive aid in Gaza City, killing 5 people and injuring at least 10.18 patients are evacuated from the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Ghaziyeh, injuring 14 people. Israeli forces also bomb Dhayra. Hezbollah attacks Barkat Risha. In Yemen, the Houthi movement says its forces shot down a U.S. MQ9 drone over Hodeidah. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/19; AJ, AP, AP, UNOCHA 2/20)

More than 29,092 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 12,000 children and 7,200 women, and around 69,028 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 393 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 100 children. More than 4,511 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, 233 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,373 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. 9 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. Israelis block the Nitzana crossing between Israel and Egypt, preventing aid entering Gaza via crossing. The Global Nutrition Cluster finds that 16% of children under the age of 2 in northern Gaza are “acutely malnourished” and that 90% of children under 5 in Gaza are infected by 1 or more infectious diseases.” (AJ, HA, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 2/19; AP, AP 2/20; UNOCHA 2/22)

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) says it has received information that Palestinian women and girls have been “arbitrarily executed in Gaza, often together with family members, including their children.” The office also expresses alarm over the arbitrary detention of hundreds of women and girls in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, including reports of sexual assault of detainees, including rape. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller says the U.S. “strongly encourage[s] Israel to thoroughly and transparently investigate credible allegations and ensure accountability for abuses and violations” in response to the OHCHR’s statement. (AJ 2/19; AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 2/20)

Hamas says Israel has killed 6,000 of its armed forces since 10/7/2023, contradicting Israel’s claim that the number is 12,000. (HA 2/19)

The Institute for the Study of War and the Critical Threats Project say Israeli forces are constructing a road across Gaza, dividing the north and the south. (AJ 2/20)

The ICJ begins hearings in the case of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories. 52 countries will present oral and written arguments before the court between 2/19 and 2/26. The case was triggered on 12/30/2022 when a majority of members of the UN General Assembly voted to seek an opinion on the legal consequences of the Israeli occupation of Palestine. PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki, PA ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour, and academics and legal experts address the ICJ judges on the first day of the hearings. Al-Maliki urges the judges to order an end to the Israeli occupation. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel does not recognize the legitimacy of the ICJ proceedings. (HA 2/18; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/19)

At the UN Security Council, the U.S. circulates a draft resolution calling for a temporary ceasefire and calls an invasion of Rafah, under the current circumstances, dangerous to civilians and damaging for regional security. (AJ, HA, HA 2/19; NYT 2/20)

Prime Minister Netanyahu says he will submit legislation to the Knesset to reject “international efforts to force on us a Palestinian state.” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich tells his Religious Zionism party that he has called on Netanyahu to end the Oslo Accords if “unilateral steps [are] taken against the state of Israel,” including ending all transfers of funds to the PA. (AJ, HA, HA 2/19)

The Knesset fails to expel MK Ofer Cassif, reaching 85 out of 90 required votes. The campaign to expel Cassif follows his support of the South African genocide case against Israel at the ICJ. 11 MKs voted against the expulsion while 24 were absent. (AJ, HA, HA, REU 2/19; NYT 2/20)

The Qatari foreign ministry says Prime Minister Netanyahu is seeking to prolong the war on Gaza by calling on Qatar to pressure Hamas into releasing Israeli captives. (HA 2/18; AJ, HA, REU 2/19; HA 2/20)

EU high commissioner for foreign policy Josep Borrell says 26 of 27 EU members call for an immediate pause in fighting in Gaza. The only country not to support the statement is Hungary. (AJ, HA, REU 2/19)

Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva recalls the Brazilian ambassador to Israel in response to Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz saying Lula will not be welcome in Israel until he retracts comments comparing Israel’s assault on Gaza to the Holocaust. The presidents of Colombia and Bolivia express support for Lula’s comments. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA 2/19; AJ, HA, NYT 2/20; AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 2/21)

Spanish foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares says that if the EU does not take action against violent Israeli settlers then Spain will proceed with sanctions unilaterally. (AJ, HA, REU 2/19)

A report by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the Johns Hopkins Center for Humanitarian Health projects that between 2/7 and 8/6/2024 the excess number of deaths in Gaza could range from 4,200 to 259,680. In the best scenario where a ceasefire is reached and no epidemics occur the mean estimate is 6,550 excess deaths while in the worst scenario where the attacks escalate and epidemics occur the mean estimate of excess deaths is 85,750. However, projections show that the number could be upwards of 259,680. (Gaza-Projections 2/19; NYT 2/21)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian agricultural land near ‘Asira al-Qibliya. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Qusra, causing damage. Israeli forces seized 1 bulldozer and 1 vehicle from Palestinian municipal workers in Beit Umar working to repair a water pipeline. Israeli forces also razed a road, an agricultural structure, and a water well in Hizma. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in Zababdeh. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian and arrested 4 others during a raid in Nablus. 11 others were arrested during late-night raids in Qaryut, Beita, Dura, Dheisheh refugee camp, Jalazun refugee camp, and Biddu. In the Naqab, Israeli authorities demolished 5 Palestinian homes in Arara, displacing 50 Palestinians, including 15 children. (QDS, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/12; PCHR 6/15; UNOCHA 6/18; HA 6/24)

Axios reported Israel has notified the U.S. that it will announce plans to construct 4,000 new settlement units this month. (AX, WAFA 6/12; JP, MEE, WAFA, WAFA 6/13; TOI 6/14)

Al Monitor reported that Mohammad Dahlan, Nasser al-Qidwi, and Marwan Barghouti are in talks to present Barghouti as a candidate to succeed PA president Mahmoud Abbas. (ALM 6/10)

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki met with his Saudi Arabian counterpart Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh. Al-Maliki asked bin Farhan for help in holding Israel accountable. (WAFA 6/12)

The spokesperson at the Saudi Arabian embassy in the U.S. Fahad Nazer told the Saudi channel Arab News that normalization with Israel “can do wonders . . . but for that to happen, for the kingdom to take that step, we need the core dispute to be resolved,” referring to the Israeli occupation. (HA 6/12)

UNESCO said that the U.S. will rejoin the agency and pay more than $600 million in back dues. Under the Trump administration the U.S. redrew from UNESCO in 2019, claiming the agency had an anti-Israel bias. (AX 6/11; ALM, AP, HA 6/12)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler was injured in a drive-by shooting on a settler running race near the Ofra settlement. Israeli forces subsequently closed down most roads in the Ramallah area. Israeli settlers blocked the DCO checkpoint and threw stones at a Red Crescent ambulance. Israeli settlers also obstructed traffic on a road between Nablus and Jenin. Israeli forces also issued demolition orders for 2 homes in ‘Ain al-Hilweh and 1 in Nueimeh. 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Qalqilya and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the Bab al-Rahma area of the Haram al-Sharif compound for the third day in a row. (ALM, HA, QDS, QDS, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/25; WAFA 4/26; PCHR 4/27; UNOCHA 5/5)

The PA Foreign Ministry said that 190 Palestinians had been evacuated via bus from Khartoum to Gaza via Egypt. The 190 people, mainly students, were evacuated due to the fighting that broke out between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese military last week. (QDS 4/24; QDS, WAFA 4/25)

The PA Ministry of Education said that most teachers had resumed work in Palestinian public schools after striking since the start of the semester. According to the ministry, the PA granted the public school teachers some concessions, including better pay. (WAFA 4/24; QDS, WAFA 4/25)

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki addressed the UN Security Council ministerial meeting on the Middle East and the question of Palestine, calling on its members to help “bring the Nakba to an end.” On the sidelines of the meeting, al-Maliki met with UN secretary-general António Guterres who he briefed on the latest developments and called for accountability for Israel. Al-Maliki also met with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov. (WAFA 4/24; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/25)

In a statement celebrating Israel’s 75th Independence Day, U.S. president Joe Biden did not mention the two-state solution or Palestinians but said he would work with Israel to “create a more prosperous, peaceful, and integrated Middle East.” (WH 4/25; HA 4/26)

18 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives and 1 Republican voted against a resolution celebrating Israel’s Independence Day. The resolution did not have any reference to a two-state solution or to Palestinians but instead lauded normalization efforts. 9 other Democrats did not vote. (HILL 4/25; HA 4/26; QDS 4/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 40 olive tree saplings in Hijja. Israeli forces issued demolition orders for 5 houses and 3 water wells in al-Juwaya in the Masafer Yatta area. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 6 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. In Israel, Israeli authorities demolished a café in Majd al-Krum. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/8; MEMO, MEMO 1/9; PCHR 1/12; UNOCHA 2/16)

Israel revoked the VIP travel permit for PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki in retaliation for the UN General Assembly vote on 12/30/22 to ask the International Court of Justice for its opinion on the legality of the Israeli occupation. The PA condemned the move and said that Foreign Minister al-Maliki would remain in his position despite the new restrictions on his travel. (AJ, AN, AP, GDN, HA, MEE, REU 1/8)

Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir ordered Israel’s police commissioner Kobi Shabtai to ban Palestinian flags in public spaces. National Security Minister Ben-Gvir said in a statement that waving a Palestinian flag is an act in support of “terrorism.” (HA, MEE, REU 1/8; AJ, ALM, GDN, MDW, MEMO, SKY 1/9; AI, WAFA 1/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered a punitive demolition notice for a house in Silat al-Harithiya belonging to a family in which 2 are charged with the killing of 1 Israeli settler on 12/20/2021 near the Homesh settlement outpost. Israeli forces razed a tract of land in Jalud in preparation for expanding the nearby Ahiya settlement. 11 Palestinians were arrested during house raids in Qabatiya, Qalandia, al-Ram, ‘Azzun, Beit Fajjar, Biddu, and Beit ‘Anan. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/20; MEMO 1/21; PCHR 1/27)

Palestinian Israeli Bedouins in several Naqab villages said they had been experiencing prolonged electricity blackouts for 2 weeks. The Israeli Electricity Corporation (IEC) blamed the blackouts on cold weather and illegal electricity hookups. In a recording of a conversation between an IEC representative and a resident, the representative is heard saying that the Israeli police is preventing them from conducting work to mend the situation, a claim the Israeli police denies. (HA 1/20)

The UN agencies UNWRA, UNICEF, and OHCHR called on Israel to release 1 Palestinian teenager held on administrative detention who is seriously ill due to an autoimmune disease and has been held without charges for more than 1 year. (MEMO, WAFA 1/20)

16 Palestinian Israeli Bedouins were indicted for alleged crimes committed during protests against a forestation program meant to displace Bedouins in the Naqab last week. A total of 155 protesters were arrested over several days of protesting. The protesters are accused of throwing stones and burning tires. (HA 1/20)

A PA court in Nablus sentenced 1 Palestinian journalist to 3 months in prison for defaming the PA. (MEMO 1/21)

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki criticized the U.S. Biden administration for not working to reverse the Trump administration’s one-sided policies against Palestinians during a meeting at the UN security council. Foreign Minister al-Maliki also called on the U.S. to pressure Israel into reversing its rejection of a 2-state solution. Al-Maliki also said that the EU, UN, and Russia had agreed to a ministerial meeting about the Palestinian-Israeli situation but that the U.S. had not. Israeli ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan accused al-Maliki of ignoring “terror attacks” by Palestinians, holding up a stone that allegedly had been thrown at Israeli forces. (AP, HA, WAFA 1/20)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh, during a meeting with UN humanitarian coordinator in Palestine Lynn Hastings, urged the international community to pressure Israel to release tax funds withheld from the PA. (WAFA 1/20)

Former Israeli soldiers acknowledged that there is a mass grave of Palestinians killed during the Nakba in 1948 on a beach in the depopulated village of Tantura, where Israeli forces and militants massacred Palestinian prisoners of war. The Israeli government has denied the existence of the mass grave despite it being published in a thesis in 2000. The mass grave site is now a parking lot for the Dor beach built on the depopulated village. The PA foreign ministry called for an international investigation into the massacre aimed at punishing Israeli officials and institutions covering crimes committed by Israel. (HA 1/20; WAFA 1/21; AJ, JDF, WAFA 1/22)

Israel and Germany signed a deal for Israel to buy 3 submarines from the Germany company ThyssenKrupp. Germany agreed in 2017 to cover $680 million of the price Israel will have to pay. ThyssenKrupp recently raised the price of the submarines from $2 billion to $3.4 billion. (ALM, AP, HA, MEMO, REU 1/20)

Israeli Channel 13 aired a program showing NSO Group employees training Ghanaian officials in using NSO’s Pegasus software. Ghana’s government bought the Pegasus software in 2016 to use against political opponents ahead of the 2017 elections. (HA 1/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a group of Palestinian children near Silat ad-Dhahr, catching, abducting, and torturing 1 for 1 hour and 30 minutes at the Hermesh settlement outpost before Israeli soldiers picked him up after being notified by Palestinians. Israeli forces demolished 1 house under construction in Yatma. 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during late-night raids in al-Bireh, Hebron, and Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, 1 at a checkpoint near Ya‘bad, and 1 at a checkpoint while seeking an entry permit to East Jerusalem for treatment of cancer. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided and shut down a ceremony for Palestinians who passed their high school exams in Isawiya, claiming it was sponsored by the PA. Israeli forces also demolished 1 nursery school and 1 house in Bayt Safafa. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled farmland east of Maghazi and al-Bureij refugee camp. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Jabalia; no injuries were reported. (AA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/17; AA 8/18; PCHR 8/19; HA 8/26; JP 8/31; AP 9/10)

PA firefighters joined Israeli firefighters to combat wildfires raging west and southwest of Jerusalem. Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz thanked Mahmoud Abbas for “his initiative” in a tweet. The PA sent 20 Palestinian firefighters and 4 fire engines to help combat the fires. President Abbas later received a phone call from Israeli public security minister Omer Bar Lev thanking Abbas for sending the firefighters. (HA, MEMO, WAFA 8/18)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas, PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh, and foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki met with the Japanese foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Ramallah. In a statement, the PA said Foreign Minister al-Maliki called on Japan to recognize the State of Palestine. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/17)

Issam Daalis, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, said that militant factions in Gaza will start violently resisting Israeli restrictions put on Gaza during May if those restrictions are not lifted by 8/21. The ultimatum was made after a meeting of senior Hamas members. Daalis also said that Egypt had asked Hamas to give Israel time and the Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett had said some restrictions would be gradually lifted. (MEMO 8/18)

Israeli Palestinian lawmaker Ahmad Tibi from the Joint List filed a complaint against an Israeli soldier who prevented him and 3 other lawmakers from reaching al-Ibrahimi Mosque on 8/14 during a protest against Israeli renovations to the structure. Tibi further asserted that the soldier assaulted him during the incident. (HA 8/18)

In Syria, Israeli forces fired missiles at areas within Quneitra province from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The extent of the damage or if there were any casualties was unclear. (AP, HA 8/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 11-year-old boy near Beit Umar who was sitting in his father’s car; according to the family, the child’s father decided to turn his car around after seeing a flying checkpoint near the city, when the Israeli forces fired 13 bullets at the car. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near the Evyatar settlement outpost, injuring 8 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered demolition orders against 1 water well and 1 agricultural structure in al-Fakheit in the Masafer Yatta area. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, and Jenin refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces razed land and demolished 1 agricultural structure in al-Tur. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Silwan. (AA, AJ, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/28; AA, MEE, MEE, PCHR 7/29; MEMO, WAFA 7/30; HA 8/3; AA, WAFA 8/4; MEE 8/5; HA 8/8)

The Israeli ministry of defense said it had informed the PA that it would increase the number of work permits for Palestinians by 16,000. 15,000 of the permits would be for construction work and 1,000 would be for work in hospitality. The Israeli government would still need a final approval for the increase. (MEMO, TOI 7/28)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with EU envoy for the Middle East peace process Sven Koopmans in Ramallah, where he called for a revival of the peace process under the auspices of the Quartet on the Middle East. Envoy Koopmans also met with PA foreign minister Riyad Maliki and head of the civil affairs authority Hussein al-Sheikh. (WAFA 7/28; MEMO 7/29)

PA health minister and head of the PA environmental quality authority Mai al-Kaila and Jamil Matour met with the Israeli health and environmental protection ministers Nitzan Horowitz and Tamar Zandberg, both of the Meretz (Vigor) party, in Jerusalem to discuss cooperation on health and environmental issues. The agreements reached included direct ambulance service from Gaza to the West Bank via the Beit Hanun crossing, easing restrictions on Palestinian medical teams accessing East Jerusalem and Area C, and for Israel to accept vaccination certificates produced by the PA. The meeting was arranged by Israel’s minister of regional cooperation Issawi Frej upon the request of the U.S. The last time PA and Israeli ministers met was in 2018 when PA prime minister Rami Hamdallah met with Israeli finance minister Moshe Kahlon. (HA 8/28; MEMO 7/29; ALM 8/5)

Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz visited the French defense minister Florence Parly in Paris to relay Israeli findings in regards to the news that the Israeli company NSO Group’s spyware Pegasus had been used to spy on French President Emmanuel Macron’s phone. (AJ, HA, HA, REU 7/27; REU 7/28; ALM, MEMO, MEMO 7/29)

In a briefing at the UN security council, the deputy special coordinator for the Middle East peace process Lynn Hastings said that the UNRWA was facing “an imminent cash flow crisis” amounting to $100 million. Deputy Special Coordinator Hastings also called for Israel to ease restrictions on the entry of goods and people into Gaza. (MEMO 7/28; MEMO, WAFA 7/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor with 2 shots to his back and injured his cousin with live ammunition during a raid in Odla near Nablus; the deceased’s aunt said that the cousins were running home when they were shot in their backs. Israeli forces raided Aqraba, attacking a house where the suspect of a drive-by shooting against 3 Israeli settlers on 5/2 was allegedly hiding, leading to a firefight; the suspect was later arrested in Silwad. 11 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Aqraba, Dura, Idhna, and Hizma. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the pending evictions of several Palestinian families from Shaykh Jarrah, injuring 22, including 6 from live ammunition, and 12 were arrested. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (AP, HA, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA 5/5; AJ, ALM. AP, PCHR, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/6; HA, HA, MEE 5/7)

1 Israeli settler victim of a drive-by shooting in the West Bank on 5/2 succumbed to his injuries. (HA 5/5; HA 5/7)

The PA said it had complained to the ICC about the pending forced eviction of Palestinian families from their homes in Shaykh Jarrah. (MEMO 5/6)

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki met with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, discussing revamping the duties of the Middle East Quartet. Foreign Minister Lavrov said that Russia has offered to mediate between the PA and Israel “to resolve all fundamental final-status issues.” Foreign Minister al-Maliki also called on Russia to pressure Israel to allow Palestinians in East Jerusalem to partake in Palestinian elections. (AP 5/5; WAFA 5/6)

Israeli fighter jets attacked several locations near Latakia in Syria, killing 1 and injuring 6. (AJ, AP, HA, JP, MEE 5/5)

Israeli president Reuven Rivlin picked Yesh Atid party leader Yair Lapid as the next candidate to try to form a government after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s mandate expired on 5/4. (AJ, GDN, NPR, REU 5/5; HA 5/6)

The EU called on Israel to reverse its decision to build 540 settler units in Har Homa and that the EU, with concern, was following the situation in Shaykh Jarrah, Silwan, and al-Walaja. (WAFA 5/6; MEMO 5/7)

The Methodist Church of England said it had divested from the construction company Caterpillar in response to continued use of the company’s products in displacing Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territory. (Sabeel-Kairos, WAFA 5/5)

In the West Bank, thousands of Palestinians marched to commemorate the 71st Nakba Day in Bethlehem and Ramallah. Israeli forces also arrested 7 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jenin, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli civil administration delivered 20 demolition notices to Palestinian buildings in Issawiya and 2 for buildings in Shu‘fat refugee camp. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Silwan. Also in East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian teen was hospitalized after being assaulted by Israeli settlers, who during the assault, was yelling “Death to Arabs.” In Gaza, thousands of people commemorated Nakba Day along the Gaza fence. Israeli forces suppressed the commemoration protest using live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, tear gas, and skunk spray, injuring 65 people. 16 Palestinians were wounded by live ammunition and 14 by rubber-coated bullets. One Palestinian was arrested trying to cross into Israel. Israeli officials reported 9 fires in Israel as a result of incendiary balloons. No injuries were reported in relation to the fires. Off the coast of Gaza, a Palestinian fishermen was injured by Israeli naval forces. (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/15; HA, MNA, WAFA 5/16)

The Israeli high court of justice rejected a petition by a Gaza company producing snacks to allow it to sell its products in the West Bank. The high court sided with the Israeli states argument that it was the PA’s fault that the company could not sell its products in the West Bank. According to Haaretz, there is no clear procedure to how a request the exporting of goods from Gaza to the West Bank. (HA 5/15)

Official data on Israeli government spending on Israeli settlements in the West Bank obtained by AP news agency shows that spending on settlements rose from $330 million in 2016 to $459 million in 2017, the year Donald Trump became the U.S. president. (AJ 5/15)

PA foreign minister Riyad Maliki submitted a memorial to the international court of justice regarding the U.S. relocation of its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in May 2018. (WAFA 5/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort raided an archeological site near Bethlehem to perform prayers. During the raid, Israeli forces sealed off the area, impeding traffic for local Palestinians. In East Jerusalem, some 90 Israeli settlers with military escort stormed the Haram al-Sharif compound. (MNA, MNA, WAFA 5/9)

All Gaza and West Bank crossings into Israel were closed except for medical and other emergencies for the 4th day in a row. Israeli authorities announced the closure on 5/6, citing Israeli celebrations of Memorial Day and Independence Day. Additionally, Israeli forces closed a road between Nabi Salih and Ramallah in the West Bank. (HA 5/6; MNA, WAFA 5/9)

Palestinians in Israel commemorated the Nakba on Israel’s Independence Day by marching to 1 of the villages that was depopulated during the Nakba. Each year, Palestinians in Israel march to 1 of the more than 140 villages that was depopulated during the Nakba. This year, they marched to Khubbayza. (HA 5/9)

At the UN, PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki called the U.S. peace plan “conditions for surrender” and not a plan for peace. U.S. special representative for international negotiations Jason Greenblatt was at the UN meeting. Greenblatt has been actively debunking rumors on Twitter about the U.S. peace plan and criticizing the Palestinian leadership for not engaging with the U.S.. Al-Maliki told Mondoweiss at the UN that he urged European nations to start thinking about putting sanctions on Israel, as calls for stopping settlement expansions have proven ineffective. (AJ, HA, MDW, MNA 5/10)

An Egyptian security delegation arrived in Gaza to meet with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other officials from Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestine. The officials discussed demonstrations on Nakba Day held on 15 May and efforts to ensure a relative calm. (HA 5/9)

The Lebanese president Michel Aoun said, during a meeting with a delegation from the Middle East Council of Churches, that “Lebanon would never survive if half a million Palestinian refugees and 1.6 million Syrian refugees remained in the country.” (MNA 5/10)

Canada announced that it contributed $2.4 million to the UN World Food Programme for vulnerable Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. New Zealand pledged $2 million for the UNRWA. (MNA, WAFA5/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and wounded a Palestinian who “behaved suspiciously” near an Israeli military outpost near Za’atra near Bethlehem. He allegedly pulled a knife on the Israeli forces after they began pursuing him on foot. Elsewhere in the West Bank, 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, and Hizma. In Gaza, a rocket launched toward Israel and landed inside of Gaza, near the Gaza fence. (HA, HA, MNA, WAFA 4/20; MNA, WAFA 4/21)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas and foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki arrived in Egypt to meet the Egyptian president and Arab League officials. al-Maliki called on Arab countries to help the PA to cope with the financial crisis it is facing due to Israel withholding PA tax revenues. (WAFA, WAFA 4/20; MNA 4/21)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinian protesters gathering outside Ofer Prison in solidarity with imprisoned Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi; there are no serious injuries. They shoot and injure 2 Palestinians during minor clashes near Ramallah. Israeli border police arrest a Palestinian, allegedly for carrying a bomb into a courthouse near Bethlehem. The IDF arrests 5 more Palestinians during late-night raids in Qalqilya and near Salfit, Jenin, and Hebron; and patrols near Hebron and Tulkarm. More than 20 Israeli settlers enter a Palestinian school in Burin village near Nablus, sparking clashes with stone-throwing students; 2 students are injured and 2 Palestinian vehicles are damaged. The settlers claim that some students from Burin threw stones at their cars earlier in the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Issawiyya. In 4 separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya and Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries (2 fishermen are arrested). Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmlands near Dayr al-Balah, causing no serious damage. (IMEMC, MNA, TOI, WAFA 12/28; PCHR 1/4)

PA FM al-Maliki says that the Palestinian leadership has decided to request, at a summit planned for 1/6 in Amman, the implementation of the Amman Summit resolutions of 1980, which stipulated a political and economic boycott of any country that moves its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. He also says that the PA will lobby in countries where Israeli diplomats are pressing governments to move their embassies to Jerusalem, and that they will wait for a new composition of the UNSC before resubmitting their application for full membership at the UN. (WAFA, WP 12/28)

Approximately 1,000 Israeli settlers visit Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus overnight, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and stone-throwing Palestinians from nearby Balata refugee camp; 1 Palestinian is injured. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Palestinians steal and torch the car of 3 Israeli settlers in central Nablus, prompting the IDF to escort the settlers out of the city. IDF troops also arrest 4 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Hebron; and patrol near Hebron and Salfit. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (IMEMC, TOI, WAFA 11/21; PCHR 11/23)

Representatives of Hamas, Fatah, and 11 other Palestinian factions meet in Cairo for the 1st of 2 planned days of reconciliation talks. (TOI, WAFA 11/21)

PA FM al-Maliki says that the Trump administration is reconsidering its threat, 1st reported on 11/17, to shutter the PLO office in Washington, following the Palestinians’ refusal to comply with their demands. He says that in the meantime, the Palestinians have decided to freeze contacts with the U.S. “In practice, by closing the office they are freezing all meetings and we are making that official.” A State Dept. spokesperson responds, “In our view, communications are not frozen.” She says that Trump administration officials are in contact with Palestinian officials “about the status of that PLO office in Washington, as well as having conversations with them about our larger efforts on the part of a lasting and comprehensive peace process.” (HA, TOI 11/21)

In Gaza, Israeli forces level land e. of Khan Yunis along the border fence. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian man at a checkpoint s. of Nablus when he refuses to undergo a security check. Israeli forces conduct a raid in a village nr. Jenin, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian residents. According to the village residents, errant tear gas canisters fired by the Israeli soldiers landed in a nearby agricultural area, setting a number of olive trees on fire. IDF troops conduct latenight raids in Hebron and nearby al-‘Arub r.c., as well as Aida r.c. and 1 village nr. Bethlehem, arresting 7 Palestinians, assaulting 2, and issuing an arrest summons to 1. Meanwhile, Israeli forces demolish a home and part of another in an outpost nr. the Eli settlement. Israeli settlers throw rocks at Palestinian cars nr. Ramallah, causing damage; set fire to 10 olive trees nr. Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, unknown assailants throw a firebomb at an Israeli car in Bayt Hanina, causing an accident and injuring 3 Jewish Israelis (9 Palestinians will be arrested in connection with this attack and indicted on 8/23). Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinian children accused of stone-throwing and 5 Palestinians on raids in Silwan. (HA, MNA, WAFA 8/3; JP 8/4; PCHR 8/6; HA 8/23)

PA FM al-Maliki meets with ICC prosecutor Bensouda in The Hague and files a report on Israeli settler violence with the ICC. Meanwhile, Palestinian amb. to Jordan Atallah Khairi says that the Jordanian govt. and Palestinian leadership have agreed to submit a draft res. to the UNSC calling for international defense of Palestinian civilians following the 7/31 arson attack. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 8/3; MNA 8/4)

On behalf of the State of Palestine, PA PM Hamdallah signs a formal request to join Interpol, an intergovernmental organization that facilitates police cooperation across borders. The PA plans to use membership to prosecute Palestinians living abroad on corruption charges. (TOI 8/3)

In Gaza, IDF troops conduct a limited incursion across the border fence to level land nr. Khan Yunis. Later, Israeli soldiers nearby open fire on Palestinian agricultural land along the fence, causing damage. Off the coast nr. Rafah, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. Separately, Rafah temporarily loses power after a malfunction at the power station in al-Arish in n. Sinai. In the West Bank, unknown Palestinian assailants open fire on an Israeli vehicle nr. Nablus, causing no injuries or damage. The IDF conducts house searches in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Bethlehem, arresting 3 Palestinians; patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 nr. Tulkarm. IDF troops arrest a Palestinian at a border crossing into Jordan. (MNA 4/6; MNA, TOI 4/7; PCHR 4/9)

PA FM al-Maliki says that the Palestinians are providing ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda additional documents in an effort to expedite her preliminary examination into the situation in the oPt (opened 1/16). He adds that if Bensouda does not open a full investigation, the Palestinians will make “specific referrals” to the court regarding Israel’s settlements and OPE. (MNA, JP 4/6)

After a meeting of Arab League FMs in Cairo, Egyptian FM Sameh Shoukry says a special comm. of experts will prepare a detailed plan for assisting the Palestinians in their campaign to pass a UNSC res. calling for a timetable on the end of Israeli occupation. He adds that they plan to open dialogue with relevant international parties and that the effort hinges on the U.S., which opposed the Palestinians’ efforts to obtain such a res. in 12/2014. (AP, JP 4/7)

In the Gaza Strip, civil employees in the ministries of public works, labor, justice, and women’s affairs go on strike in protest of the fact that they haven’t been paid a full salary since 6/2. In the West Bank, IDF troops assault Palestinian workers during a raid on a bakery in c. Nablus, injuring 3. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Tulkarm, Hebron, Nablus, and Ramallah; patrols in 1 village and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers destroy 12 olive trees and saplings in a village nr. Nablus and leave racist price-tag graffiti. In s. Israel, Israeli police violently disperse around 10,000 Palestinians protesting after a funeral held in Rahat for Sami al-Ajar, the Palestinian bedouin killed by police on 1/14, killing another Palestinian bedouin with tear gas, injuring over 40, and detaining 5 for throwing stones. The Arab High Follow-Up Comm. calls for an extension of the general strike in Rahat began after al-Ajar’s killing, and for a general strike in all Palestinian areas of Israel on 1/20. (MNA 1/17, 1/18; +972, JP, MNA, WAFA 1/19; MNA, OCHA 1/23)

Following Canadian FM John Baird’s meeting with PA FM al-Maliki in Ramallah, dozens of Palestinians throw shoes and eggs at Baird’s vehicle, protesting Canada’s recent proIsrael positions. (MNA, WAFA 1/18)

The PA unity govt. announces that it will pay its civil servants 60% of their salaries for 12/2014 by the end of the week. The funds were reportedly collected through loans from banks, aid from Arab countries, and existing domestic resources. Around 200 PA employees loyal to Mohammad Dahlan will not receive paychecks. (MNA, WAFA 1/18; NYT 1/20; TOI 1/25)

In Syria, an Israeli helicopter fires 2 missiles at a 3-car convoy nr. Qunaytra in the Golan Heights, killing 6 Hizballah fighters and 6 mbrs. of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. (AFP 1/18; JP, MNA 1/19; JP 1/20; YA 1/31)

Dep. ministers from Iran and the P5+1 meet in Geneva for negotiations over Iran’s disputed nuclear program. Earlier in the day, reps. of China and Iran conduct bilateral meetings. (ALM 1/18; AP 1/21)

In the Gaza Strip, a 72-hour cease-fire begins at 8:00 A.M. local time. The IDF withdraws grounds forces, which are, according to the IDF, “redeployed in defensive positions outside the Gaza Strip.” Shortly before the cease-fire begins, al-Qassam Brigades fires a salvo of rockets, with 1 hitting a house in Bayt Sahur nr. Bethlehem, causing damage but no injuries. During the day, the cease-fire holds. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Jenin r.c. in the morning. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/5; PCHR 8/6)

Additional Islamic Jihad and Hamas reps. join the Palestinian delegation in Cairo. Israel sends officials to join the discussions. Israel’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ofer Gendelman says that Israel is willing to agree to the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip in exchange for the disarmament of the armed groups. Meanwhile, Palestinian FM al-Maliki visits the ICC in The Hague to meet with prosecutors concerning evidence of war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza. Al-Maliki tells reporters that he had discussed a timeline with prosecutors for the PA to sign the Rome Statute. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/5)

White House spokesperson Jay Carney responds to a question about the consequences of the Israeli election for peace efforts by restating the administration’s call for a resumption of direct negotiations on final-status issues. Meanwhile, the UN’s special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Robert Serry, tells a UNSC meeting that courageous steps by Israeli and Palestinian leaders are required to save the two-state solution. At the meeting, Palestinian FM Riyad al-Maliki sits behind a ‘‘State of Palestine’’ nameplate, drawing criticism from U.S. amb. Susan Rice, who says that the U.S. does not recognize the UNGA vote in 11/2012 (see Quarterly Update in JPS 166). After the meeting, Maliki says that the Palestinians’ decision about whether to go to the ICC over Israel’s settlement construction will depend on what the Israeli government does in the E1 area nr. Jerusalem. (AP, REU, UNNC 1/23)

Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza coast nr. al-Waha, causing no injuries. The IDF also makes a brief incursion into Gaza to a distance of 200 m from the border fence nr. Bayt Hanun to level land. In the West Bank, IDF soldiers open fire on Palestinians at the entrance to al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, killing 1 woman with a shot to the head. Eyewitnesses say the soldiers were traveling in a civilian car. Also, a Palestinian teenager shot by the IDF during clashes in Aida r.c. on 1/18 dies in the hospital. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Hebron at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Jenin at night. (MNA, PCHR, WAFA 1/23)

Human rights NGO the Palestinian Center for Human Rights publishes a list of media workers in the Gaza Strip arrested by Hamas security services over the previous 48 hours. Meanwhile, dep. head of Hamas politburo Musa Abu Marzuq says that there is no disagreement within Hamas about Mahmud Abbas heading a unity government. (MNA 1/23)

PA fin. min. Nabil Qassis says that the government’s financial crisis is structural, requiring systematic changes in the budget and culture. He reveals that the deficit has now exceeded $1.4 b. (MNA 1/23)

Jordan holds parliamentary elections, which are boycotted by the Muslim Brotherhood–affiliated Islamic Action Front. The boycott is based on claims that the electoral system is biased in favor of rural tribal areas where pro-regime sentiment is highest, in contrast to large, more densely populated urban areas, where pro-Brotherhood views are strong among poor Palestinians. In the election, 1,425 candidates compete for 150 seats, up from 120, in the lower house. King Abdallah has agreed to cede some powers to the new legislature, such as choosing the PM and running day-to-day affairs. There are numerous reports of vote-buying and small-scale clashes in Karak governorate and some districts of Amman. The results see pro-government candidates maintain their dominance of the parliament, though 37 Islamist and other government critics win seats in the legislature. (AKH, AP, NYT, REU 1/23; AP, REU 1/24)

The Lebanese army states that 12 Israeli warplanes violated Lebanese airspace overnight, claiming that the breach of Lebanon’s sovereignty is a violation of UN Res. 1701, which was accepted as the basis for the cease-fire that ended the Israeli-Lebanon war of 2006. (Daily Star 1/23)

In Cairo, Egyptian FM Musa, PA Planning M Shaath discuss peace process, Mubarak mtg. with Albright 2/3. (MENA 2/5 in WNC 2/6)

Turkey's Gen. Kivrikoglu meets with DM Mordechai. (IGPO 2/5)

Iranian Majles speaker Nateq-Nuri arrives in Lebanon for 2-day visit, talks on cultivating trade ties. (RL 2/5 in WNC 2/6; IRNA 2/5, RL 2/6 in WNC 2/10)

Saying that it "retains its right to self-defense and will operate according to its security interests," Israel rebuffs U.S. request to not retaliate against Iraq should it target Israel as a result of U.S. air strikes. (MM 2/5; MM, WP 2/6; WJW 2/12)

Iraqi pres. Saddam Hussein orders release of all 1,200-1,300 Arab prisoners in apparent move to win sympathy in his dispute with the U.S. (NYT, WP 2/6; al-Aswaq [Amman], MENA 2/12 in WNC 2/15)

13 mbrs. of the Israeli Islamic Movement hold quiet demonstration against potential U.S. attack on Iraq in front of the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv. (IDF Radio 2/5 in WNC 2/6)

SLA mbrs. block road in s. Lebanon in attempt to prevent French delegation fr. reaching ILMG mtg. UNIFIL intervenes, reopens road. (RL 2/5 in WNC 2/6; RL 2/6 in WNC 2/10)