The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces assault 4 Palestinians, including a medic, during a raid in Fahma. Israeli forces deliver demolition notices for 11 residential and agricultural structures in the Abu Nawar Bedouin community near ‘Anata. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces prevent Palestinians from reaching the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Rafah, Khan Yunis, Jabalia refugee camp, Beit Lahiya, and Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 183 people. Israeli forces also open fire at Palestinians fleeing from Khan Yunis to Rafah and fire tank shells at al-Amal Hospital. The Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis suffers a complete electricity blackout as it is besieged by Israeli forces for the fifth day in a row. In Lebanon, Israeli forces strike Bayt Lif and Deir Aames, killing 2 people and injuring 4 in Bayt Lif. Hezbollah says it attacked 2 Israeli bases near the Blue Line. In the Red Sea, the Houthi movement says its forces attacked a UK-owned oil tanker.  (AJ, AP, AP, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/26)

More than 26,083 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 10,600 children and 7,200 women, and around 64,110 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 365 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 92 children. More than 4,354 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 219 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,269 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 68 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah crossing. Israelis block the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing for the third day in a row, forcing aid trucks to reroute to Egypt. The UN says the assessment mission to northern Gaza, announced by U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken on 1/9, has not been carried out. (AJ, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 1/26; AJ 1/27)

Israel orders Palestinians in several neighborhoods of Khan Yunis to flee to al-Mawasi. (AJ 1/26)

The ICJ rules that there is a basis to further investigate the South African genocide case against Israel and that the ICJ has jurisdiction to hear the case. The court issues 6 provisional measures: 1) Israel must take all possible measures to prevent acts as outlined in Article 2 of the Genocide Convention, including not killing members of a particular group [Palestinians], not causing physical or psychological harm to members of that group, not inflicting living conditions which are calculated to bring about the end of the existence of a people, and not carrying out acts to precent the births within the group. 2) Israel must ensure its military does not carry out any of the actions outlined in measure 1. 3) Israel must prevent and punish incitement to commit genocide. 4) Israel must ensure the delivery of basic services and essential humanitarian aid. 5) Israel must prevent the destruction of evidence of war crimes and allow fact-finding missions access. 6) Israel must submit a report on all steps taken to abide by the measures within 1 month. 4 of the orders are approved by 15 of the 17 judges, while 2 of the measures are approved by 16 of the 17 judges. The only judge to vote against all measures is Judge Julia Sebutinde of Uganda. Aharon Barak, the judge representing Israel, votes for measures 3 and 4. The measures issued by the court fall short of South Africa’s demand for a ceasefire. Hamas welcomes the ICJ orders and calls on the international community to force Israel to implement the decisions. PA ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour calls the measures against Israel “historic.” South Africa calls the ruling a “decisive victory.” Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructs his ministers not to comment on the ICJ decision and calls the ruling “outrageous.” The U.S. State Department says the ICJ did not “make a finding about genocide” despite the court specifically saying that it is continuing its trial of Israel on charges of genocide. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Malaysia, Qatar, Spain, Ireland, Scotland, Belgium, and the AU welcome the ICJ ruling. Turkey and Egypt express disappointment that the court did not call for a ceasefire. (AP, NYT 1/25; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/26; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/27; AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA 1/28; HA 1/29)

PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh calls on the international community and the UN Security Council to stop Israeli efforts to create a new buffer zone in Israel, saying Israel is razing homes and agricultural lands in 20% of Gaza. (AJ, WAFA 1/26)

Israel alleges that 12 UNRWA employees took part in or aided the attack on 10/7/2023 based on Shin Bet interrogations of Palestinian detainees and phone tracking. UNRWA announces an investigation and says it has terminated the contracts of the 9 of the staffers, with further investigations into 2 other staffers. 1 staff has been killed. The U.S., Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, Finland, Australia, Italy, and the UK say they have paused additional funding to UNRWA while they are reviewing the allegations and UN’s steps to address them. The PA calls on the countries that suspended funding to reverse their decisions. Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf calls the suspension of funding for UNRWA collective punishment. UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini calls the aid suspensions “shocking,” saying they are based on the “alleged behavior of a few individuals.” Ireland and Norway express support for UNRWA. (AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, NYT, NYT 1/26; AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, WAFA 1/27; HA, HA, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/28; AP, REU, REU, REU 1/29)

Hamas releases a video of 3 captives who call on the Israeli government to stop the war on Gaza and secure their release, saying other captives held with them have been killed in Israeli airstrikes. (AJ, HA, HA 1/26)

U.S. president Joe Biden speaks with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani about another temporary ceasefire in Gaza. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby says the White House is doing “everything we can to facilitate another hostage deal,” and that National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk returns to the U.S. after discussions with Qatar and Egypt. Axios reports that on 1/19 Biden said in a call with Prime Minister Netanyahu that he wants Israel to end its war on Gaza soon. A Biden advisor tells Axios that the White House is concerned about losing young voters who are opposed to Biden’s policy on the war. (AJ, AX, HA 1/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces fatally shoot 2 Palestinian children in al-Bireh; Israel claims they threw explosives at a military base. Israeli forces also fatally shoot a 14-year-old Palestinian during a raid in Ein as-Sultan refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces fatally shoot 2 Palestinians near Sa’ir, saying they tried to break through a checkpoint. Israeli forces also shoot and injure 1 Palestinian during a raid in Deir Sammit. Meanwhile, Israeli forces issue stop-work orders for several homes in Furush Bayt Dajan and 2 homes in Duma. Israeli forces arrest 40 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities order owners of 200 homes and other facilities in the Old City to demolish or partially demolish their property, saying they were built illegally after 2015. In Gaza, the telecommunications outage from 1/12 continues for the third day in a row. Israeli forces bomb Beit Lahiya, Dayr al-Balah, Nuseirat refugee camp, Rafah, Gaza City, and Khan Yunis, killing at least 125 people, including 2 Paltel workers trying to restore telecommunications services and 3 relatives of MK Ahmad Tibi in Nuseirat refugee camp. Heavy rain mixed with sewage flood homes and tents in Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Rafah. Near the Blue Line, Israeli forces fatally shoot 4 people in Shebaa Farms; the Alez al-Islami Brigades say the 4 men were members of their organization. A guided missile fired from Lebanon kills 2 Israelis in Yuval. Israeli forces conduct airstrikes 20 miles north of the Blue Line. In the Red Sea, U.S. forces shoot down a cruise missile fired at a U.S. military ship. (HA 1/13; AJ, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/14; HA, UNOCHA 1/15)

More than 23,868 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 16,350 women and children, and around 60,582 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 345 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 87 children. More than 4,197 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 186 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,113 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 69,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 64 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah crossing, while 113 trucks enter via the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing. The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society says Israel has arrested 5,875 Palestinians in the West Bank since 10/7. (AJ, AJ, AP, AX, AX, AX, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/14)

Hamas releases a video of 3 captives who are seen appealing to the Israeli government to stop the attacks on Gaza. Hamas military spokesperson Abu Obeida says the fate of many of the Hamas-held captives is unknown as Israeli attacks may have killed a lot of them. (AJ, HA, REU, REU 1/14; REU 1/15)

The Israeli military releases data on the 100th day of its assault on Gaza, saying it has bombed 30,000 locations, arrested 2,300 Palestinians in Gaza and 2,650 in the West Bank, and killed 9,000 militants in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will keep fighting until “total victory.” (AJ, HA, NYT, WAFA 1/14)

Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz speaks to UAE foreign minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. (AJ, AJ, HA 1/14)

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby says it is time for Israel to start transitioning to a “lower intensity” operation in Gaza. President Joe Biden marks the 100th day of Israel’s war by releasing a statement that does not mention the killing of Palestinians but instead focuses on the Israelis held captive in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also tweets about the captives and does not mention the suffering of Palestinians. (AJ, AP, WhiteHouse 1/14; AJ 1/15)

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi says during a press conference with Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo that there should be an international peace conference to set a timetable for the implementation of a 2-state solution. (HA 1/14)

Axios reports that President Biden’s patience with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is running out, citing unnamed U.S. officials. Biden is said to have spoken to Netanyahu almost every other day since 10/7 until a phone call on 12/23 where Biden ended the conversation in anger over Israel withholding the PA’s tax revenue, not allowing enough aid to enter Gaza, the intensity of the Israeli bombing of Gaza, and the lack of engagement on plans for after Israel’s war. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) tells Axios that “Netanyahu has given Biden the finger” at every juncture and that the Biden administration pleads with Netanyahu but gets “slapped in the face over and over again.” Axios also says Secretary Blinken’s visit to Israel earlier in the week was contentious due to the Israeli refusal to pay the PA its full tax revenue. (AP 1/13; AX 1/14; HA 1/15)

Israeli Channel 12 reports that war cabinet member Gadi Eisenkot pressed the rest of the war cabinet to make a deal with Hamas to free the remaining captives, however, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reportedly disagreed, saying military pressure is the only way forward. Channel 12 also reports that the Bank of Israel expects the war on Gaza to cost $54 billion between 2023 and 2025. So far, the war has cost Israel $6.6 billion. (AJ 1/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers demolish an agricultural structure and stone walls in Tarqumiyah. Israeli settlers also attack Palestinian herders in al-Juwaya, forcing them to leave the area. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers steal olives from Palestinians in Awarta. Israeli forces fatally shoot 3 Palestinians and injure another during a raid in Iktaba. Israeli forces also shoot and injure 2 Palestinian men during raids in Tell and Qiffin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolish a home and an agricultural structure and uproot trees in Birin. Israeli forces also raid Beit Umar, seizing a vehicle. Meanwhile, Israeli forces assault 2 Palestinians during raids in Ya’bad and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers tour the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis, Maghazi, Rafah, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 249 Palestinians, including a 5-year-old in a bombing of a Doctors Without Borders shelter. 9 Israeli soldiers are killed in combat, including 6 who are killed by Israeli forces detonating a tunnel before they exit it. Rockets are fired at Israel; no damage is reported. In Lebanon, Israeli forces assassinate senior commander in Hezbollah’s Radwan forces Wissam al-Tawil and one other person in a strike on the car they are traveling in in Khirbet Selm. Israeli forces also attack Marwahin and Ayta ash Shab. Hezbollah fires a rocket at a home in Shtula, lightly injuring an Israeli, and an anti-tank missile at an Israeli soldier near the Blue Line. In Syria, Israel says it has assassinated Hassan Halashah in Beit Jinn, claiming he was responsible for Hamas launching rockets from Syria at Israel. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/8; AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA 1/9; HA 1/10)

More than 23,084 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 8,800 children and 6,300 women, and around 58,926 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 333 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 84 children. More than 4,042 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 183 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,042 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 69,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 112 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings. The WHO says Israel has denied its request to deliver medical supplies to al-Awda Hosptial in Jabalia refugee camp and the Central Drug Store in Gaza City. (AJ, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 1/8)

B’Tselem reports Israel is deliberately starving Palestinians in Gaza, saying cultivated fields have been destroyed and bakeries bombed, leaving Gaza reliant on food aid that Israel largely prevents from entering. (BTS 1/8; AJ 1/10)

Islamic Jihad releases a video of an Israeli captive. Separately the group says it foiled an attempt by Israeli forces to rescue a captive in al-Bureij refugee camp. (AJ, HA, HA 1/8)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas meets with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo, discussing ways to end Israel’s war in Gaza and the surge in settler violence in the West Bank. PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki meets with German foreign minister Anna Baerbock in Ramallah, calling on Germany to pressure Israel into a ceasefire. Baerbock also visits al-Mazra’a al-Qibliya with B’Tselem, meeting with Palestinians affected by settler violence. Baerbock says Israel has a duty to protect Palestinians in the West Bank. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA 1/8)

Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari says in an interview that Israel’s campaign in Gaza has gradually started to shift to a more targeted stage. (AJ, HA, NYT 1/8)

Israeli heritage minister Amichai Eliyahu proposes displacing Palestinians from Gaza who “refuse to live in these conditions.” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says Israel will not transfer the PA tax revenue to the PA and reiterates his call for the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza. (HA, HA 1/8)

70 Knesset members sign a motion to expel Hadash-Ta’al party MK Ofer Cassif for his support of the South African genocide case against Israel at the ICJ. It is unclear if Cassif will be expelled as the law to expel Knesset members only permits expulsion on the basis of racist incitement or support of armed struggle against Israel. (HA 1/9)

U.S. president Joe Biden says in a speech that he is “quietly working with the Israeli government to get them to reduce and significantly get out of Gaza.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman in al-Ula, saying after the meeting that bin Salman has expressed “clear interest” in trying to normalize ties with Israel on the condition that Israel ends its war on Gaza and agrees to take practical steps to establish a Palestinian state. In a statement after the meeting, bin Salman says he stressed the need to end the Israeli attacks on Gaza and for a path toward peace. Blinken also meets with UAE president Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller tweets that Palestinians must be able to return to their homes and must not be pressed to leave Gaza. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, WAFA 1/8; NYT 1/9)

The Israeli Supreme Court rules that international media cannot have access to Gaza via Israel without permission and without being escorted by the Israeli military, saying access could endanger Israeli forces. The Foreign Press Association had petitioned the Supreme Court to gain access to Gaza. (AJ, AP 1/8; HA 1/9)

Haaretz reports that Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has called on Benny Gantz, Gadi Eizenkot, and Gideon Saar to leave the emergency government because he deems Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unfit to lead Israel. (AJ, HA 1/8)

Sources tell Axios that Prime Minister Netanyahu had asked UAE president Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan if the UAE could pay stipends to Palestinians from the West Bank who were employed in Israel until Israel barred them from entering after 10/7. Bin Zayed reportedly sarcastically told Netanyahu to “ask [Ukrainian president Volodymyr] Zelenskyy for money.” (AX 1/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shot and injured a Palestinian during a raid in Surif. Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian child and injure 7 others during a raid in Bayt Rima. Israeli forces also shoot and injure 2 Palestinians with live ammunition during a raid in Balata refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shoot and injure a 12-year-old boy during a raid in Ya’bad. Israeli forces also shoot and injure a Palestinian at a checkpoint near Nablus. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Khan Yunis, Jabalia refugee camp, Dayr al-Balah, Nuseirat refugee camp, and al-Bureij refugee camp, killing at least 162 people and attacking the Palestinian Red Crescent Society’s headquarters in Khan Yunis for the fourth day in a row. Israeli forces also withdraw from the Gaza City neighborhoods of Daraj and Tuffah after spending 10 days demolishing homes and cemeteries. Israel says it attacked more than 100 targets in Gaza overnight. Rockets fired from Gaza cause damage in Sderot. In Lebanon, 8 rockets are fired at Kiryat Shimona, no damage was reported. Rockets fired from Lebanon also target 2 Israeli military bases. Israeli forces attack Aita al-Shaab and Majdal Zoun. (AJ, AP, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/5)

More than 22,600 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 8,800 children and 6,300 women, and around 57,910 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 319 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 81 children. More than 3,949 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 173 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,020 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. As of 12/23, at least 65,000 housing units had been destroyed and 290,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 80 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah and Karim Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings. France and Jordan jointly airdrop aid to Gaza from 2 C-130 transport planes. UNRWA appeals for more basic supplies, saying it does not have diapers for babies being sheltered in its facilities. (AJ, AP, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 1/5)

UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator Martin Griffiths says in a statement that people in Gaza “are facing the highest level of food insecurity ever recorded” and that Gaza has “become a place of death and despair.” (AJ, AP, UNOCHA 1/5; HA, WAFA 1/6)

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh issues a video message to U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken, saying he hopes the U.S. has learned lessons from its mistakes in the past 3 months and will working toward ending the occupation. Blinken arrives in Turkey, the first stop on his Middle East visit where according to the State Department he will work toward the protection of civilians in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, freeing more captives, getting more aid into Gaza, ensuring Palestinians in Gaza are not forcibly displaced, deter Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, reduce tensions at the Blue Line, and takes steps toward creating a Palestinian state. (AJ, HA 1/5)

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki speaks with UK foreign secretary David Cameron. According to a PA statement, Cameron condemns comments made by Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir in favor of the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza. Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf calls Smotrich and Ben-Gvir’s statements “the textbook definition of ethnic cleansing.” (AJ, HA, WAFA 1/5; AJ, HA 1/6)

Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah gives a speech warning that if Hezbollah does not respond to the assassination of Hamas deputy political leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut then all of Lebanon will be exposed to Israeli attacks. Nasrallah says Hezbollah has attacked Israel 670 times since 10/8. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT 1/5)

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reports that the PA is working with South Africa on the genocide case against Israel at the ICJ in which hearings will begin next week. (AJ 1/5)

Rwanda, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of Congo deny reports by the Israeli publication Zman Yisrael that they have discussed receiving Palestinians from Gaza. (AJ 1/5; AJ 1/6)

Family members of 6 Israelis held captive in Gaza meet with Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Doha, discussing the lack of progress in negotiating their release. According to Axios, Al Thani tells the families that Israel’s assassination of Saleh al-Arouri has made the negotiations harder. Al Thani also speaks with Lebanese caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati, discussing Israel’s effort to drag Lebanon into war with Israel. (AJ 1/5; AX 1/6)

In the West Bank, an Israeli settler stabbed and injured a Palestinian and rammed his livestock with a car, killing 2 goats in Khirbet al-Farisiyya. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Rawabi. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinians with pepper spray at the Ibrahimi Mosque. Israeli forces shot and killed 4 Palestinians, including 2 children, during a raid in al-Fara’a refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3, including a journalist near Jaffna and 2 others in Tell. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished a home under construction in Majdal Bani Fadel and electricity networks connecting Majdal Bani Fadel and Aqraba. An Israeli settler was shot and injured near the Ateret settlement. 35 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm, Jericho, Ramallah, Hebron, Qalqilya, and Bethlehem. In Gaza, Israeli forces bombed Nuseirat refugee camp, Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Jabalia refugee camp, Dayr al-Balah, and Rafah; it was unclear how many casualties there were. Israeli forces also raided al-Ahli Arab Hospital, causing injuries and arresting dozens. 2 Israeli soldiers were killed in combat. In Lebanon, Hezbollah fired missiles at Kiryat Shmona and Israeli forces attacked a funeral in Aita al-Shaab. In Syria, Israeli forces fired tank shells at a Syrian army position, saying missiles had been launched at Israel. In the Red Sea, Houthi forces attacked 2 ships with drones, saying they failed to respond to calls. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/18; AJ, UNOCHA 12/19)

As of 12/17 more than 19,453 Palestinians had been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 7,729 children and 5,153 women, and around 54,000 had been injured since 10/7. At least 8,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 294 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 74 children. More than 3,387 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7. 132 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 719 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. As of 12/3, at least 52,000 housing units had been destroyed and 253,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. 60 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing and 64 entered via the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing. 55 injured people, accompanied by 56 others, and 548 dual nationals were evacuated to Egypt. (AJ, UNOCHA 12/18; UNOCHA 12/19)

Human Rights Watch issued a report saying Israel was using starvation as a weapon of war by deliberately denying civilians access to food and water. The report pointed out that 3 Israeli ministers have made statements confirming the policy. (AJ, HA, HRW, WAFA 12/18)

Hamas released a video of 3 elderly Israeli captives. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, REU 12/18)

U.S. secretary of defense Lloyd Austin arrived in Israel for meetings with Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the meetings, Austin said the U.S. support for Israel was unshakeable but that the U.S. urged Israel to protect civilians and increase the flow of aid. Israeli and U.S. sources told Axios that Gallant and Netanyahu told Austin they want Hezbollah to move its forces 6 miles north of the Blue Line. CIA director William Burns met with Qatari prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Mossad director David Barnea in Warsaw. (AJ, AJ, AX, AX, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU 12/18; REU 12/19; AJ 12/20)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas congratulated Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on his re-election. Egypt’s National Election Authority said el-Sisi won with 89.6% of the vote and the voter turnout was 66.8%. (AP, NYT, WAFA 12/18; HA 12/19)

The U.S. launched a new patrol mission in the Red Sea to counter Yemeni attacks on commercial ships. The UK, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the Seychelles, and Spain joined the U.S.-led mission. A Houthi spokesperson called the mission unnecessary, saying waters around Yemen are safe, except for Israel-linked ships or vessels traveling to Israel. The Taiwanese shipping company Evergreen said it has stopped accepting Israeli cargo. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, REU 12/18; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU 12/19)