The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shot and killed 4 Palestinians and injured 9 others in Qusra. Israeli settlers also raided Shaab Forsa in the Masafer Yatta area, destroying solar panels and water tanks and uprooting fruit trees. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian vehicles traveling near Burqa, damaging 3. Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian at a checkpoint near Bayt Jala. Israeli forces also shot and killed a Palestinian minor in Bani Na’im. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, Beit Fajjar, Abud, Fawwar refugee camp, al-Bireh, Huwwara, Beit Furik, Arrabah, Nabi Salih, al-Khader, Deir Istiya, and Burin, injuring 21 with live ammunition, including at least 1 minor, 3 with baton rounds, and many others with tear gas. Israeli forces also raided Idhna and Beit Umar, arresting 18. 35 Palestinian families, comprising 214 people, began fleeing the Wadi as Seeq and al-Mu’arajat communities near Ramallah after continued settler attacks. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces attacked the home of Izzeddin al-Qassam commander Mohammed Deif killing several of his relatives, including his children, and assassinated Islamic Jihad commander Mousa Nasser in Beit Lahiya. Hundreds of Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes, including at least 4 Palestinian medics. Israeli airstrikes also destroyed the Islamic University’s engineering school and the headquarters of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. Rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel. In Lebanon, Hezbollah said it had fired precision missiles at Israel in response to Israel killing members of the organization. Israeli airstrikes hit southern Lebanon. (AP 10/7; AJ, HA 10/10; AP, HA, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/11; HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA 10/12)

Gaza’s sole power plant ran out of fuel in the afternoon. The Gaza Ministry of Health said at least 1,100 Palestinians have been killed and 5,339 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7 as of 2 p.m. 28 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 5 children, and 427 have been injured. In addition, 1,500 Palestinian militants are reported to have been killed by Israeli forces in Israel since 10/7. The Gaza Ministry of Health said 60% of injured Palestinians are children and elderly. UNRWA said 11 of its workers have been killed in Israeli airstrikes and the Red Crescent said 5 of its members have been killed since 10/7. Israeli media reported that as of 9 a.m., more than 1,200 Israeli and foreign nationals had been killed and 3,192 injured. The UN reported that 338,934 Palestinians have been displaced since 10/7 and 4,625 housing units in Gaza have been destroyed while 32,000 had been damaged. (AP 10/7; AJ 10/10; AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, UNOHCA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/11; WAFA 10/12) 

Al Jazeera released a video that appeared to show militants releasing an Israeli woman and 2 children near the Gaza fence. (AJ, AJ 10/11)

Ramallah governor Laila Ghannam said some 600 Palestinian workers from Gaza had arrived in Ramallah after being expelled from Israel. (AP 10/7; AJ 10/10; AJ 10/12)

Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said on X that he had instructed the Israeli police to prepare for “Operation Guardian of the Walls 2,” a reference to Israel’s operation during the Unity Intifada, and approved residents of Sderot receiving weapons from the state. (HA 10/11)

Egyptian officials told Reuters that Egypt rejects the idea of an evacuation of Palestinians to Egypt. (REU 10/11)

Former Hamas political leader Khaled Mashal called on the Arab world to protest in solidarity with Palestinians on 10/13. (HA, REU 10/11)

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called Israel’s blockade and bombing of Gaza “a massacre.” Erdoğan also called the Israeli bombings “disproportionate.” Turkish officials also said they are negotiating with Hamas regarding the Israeli captives. (AJ 10/10; AJ, HA, REU 10/11)

The Arab League released a statement after a meeting of its members’ foreign ministers, calling for an immediate ceasefire, condemning the targeting of civilians, urging Israel to lift its blockade on Gaza, and calling for negotiations between the PLO and Israel for a just peace. (WAFA 10/11)

German foreign minister Boris Pistorius said Germany had allowed Israel to use 2 of its Heron combat drones and that Israel had requested ammunition from Germany, which was under review. (AJ 10/11; AP 10/12)

Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi and Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke about the situation in Gaza. According to the Saudi Press Agency, bin Salman said that he stands firm toward supporting the Palestinian cause. It was the first time the 2 leaders have spoken to each other. (AJ 10/10; AJ 10/11; AJ, REU 10/12)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz, agreeing to form an emergency unity government and a war cabinet. The war cabinet will consist of Netanyahu, Gantz, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, with former military chief of staff Gadi Eizenkot of the National Unity Party and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer as observers. Opposition leader Yair Lapid did not join the emergency government, reportedly because he wants National Security Minister Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich removed. Gallant said “[w]e will wipe Hamas off the face of the earth,” and Netanyahu said “[e]very member of Hamas is a dead man,” and compared Hamas to ISIS. (AJ 10/10; AJ, HA, HA, HA 10/11; AJ, HA, HA 10/12; HA 10/13)

U.S. president Joe Biden gave a speech to Jewish American leaders, telling them “I never really thought I would see, have confirmed pictures of terrorists beheading children.” The White House later told the Washington Post “[t]he president based his comments about the alleged atrocities on the claims of Netanyahu’s spokesman and media reports from Israel,” noting that Biden and his team have not seen pictures or confirmed the reports. Hamas denied the report, calling it “Zionist slander and lies” and rejecting that Palestinians beheaded children and assaulted women. The U.S. State Department said 22 Americans have been killed and 17 were unaccounted for. Biden also spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu. (AJ, AJ, HA 10/11; AJ, CNN, HA, REU 10/12)

U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee chair Michael McCaul (R-TX) said the U.S. knew that Egypt warned Israel 3 days prior to the Hamas operation that “an event like this could happen.” (AJ 10/10; HA 10/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces issued a demolition order for 1 house under construction in Burin. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Burqa, al-Mughayyir, Bayt Rima, Beit Furik, Jenin, al-Khader, and Beit Fajjar; 1 of the arrested was injured during the settler attack on Burqa on 8/4. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Tur and Shu’fat refugee camp. (WAFA, WAFA 8/7; PCHR 8/10; UNOCHA 8/11)

In Syria, Israeli forces launched airstrikes killing 4 Syrian soldiers and injuring 4 others near Damascus. (AJ, AP, BBC, HA, JP, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA 8/7)

Israel said it had accepted a U.S. demand to allow Americans living in Gaza to use Ben Gurion Airport and to grant them tourist visas to Israel for 3-month periods. The change in policy will start on 9/15. The policy change is part of Israel’s efforts to be included in the U.S. Visa Waiver program. (ALM, HA, MEE, REU 8/7)

After receiving a letter from Israeli interior minister Moshe Arbel demanding that $85 million earmarked to Palestinian municipalities in Israel be released by the Finance Ministry, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said he would not provide the funding, calling it a bribe to MK Mansour Abbas. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said Smotrich was only “mistreat[ing] Arab citizens simply because they are Arabs,” saying that “racism has become an official policy of the state of Israel.” Smotrich also canceled funding for preparatory programs for Palestinians living in East Jerusalem who want to study in Israel. (HA 8/7; MEE, REU 8/8 ALM, HA, HA 8/9; HA 8/10)

24 U.S. Democrats, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) met with PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh in Ramallah. Shtayyeh called on the delegation to recognize the State of Palestine, warned that the 2-state solution was slipping away due to Israeli actions, and asked that they pressure Israel to allow Palestinian elections in East Jerusalem. The congressional delegation also met with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem earlier in the day. Jeffries claimed he had brought up the issue of settler violence with Netanyahu. The Democrats’ visit to Israel was arranged by AIPAC. (HA, HA, HA, WAFA 8/7; MDW 8/10; HA 8/13)

In an interview with Bloomberg, Prime Minister Netanyahu called reported Saudi demands for Israeli concessions on Palestine as a condition for normalization a “checkbox” he has to tick off but not a hinderance for Israel. Netanyahu also said he would not accept limits on settlement expansion as part of the deal. (BB, HA 8/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in Huwwara, injuring 6. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles outside of the Yitzhar settlement, causing damage. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized some 40 olive tree saplings in al-Khader. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians and injured 1 other during a late-night raid in Jalazun refugee camp. Israel claimed the 3 attempted to ram Israeli soldiers with a car, but this was disputed by Palestinians present at the scene. Israeli forces also fired tear gas near a high school in Tell during a raid, causing tear-gas related injuries among students and staff. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 house and 2 storage facilities in al-Rifaya in the Masafer Yatta area, 1 house in Beit Einun, displacing 11, and 1 house near Jabal Johar, displacing 8. Israeli forces also raided Khirbet ad-Deir, injuring 1 Palestinian with a baton round and others with tear gas. 17 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jalazun, Beit Sira, Safa, al-Jib, Dheisheh refugee camp, Jericho, Nablus, Barta‘a, and Silat al-Harithiya. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City and al-Tur. (ABC, AJ, ALM, AP, HA, JP, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEMO, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/3; PCHR 10/5; PCHR 10/6; UNOCHA 10/16)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh warned UK prime minister Liz Truss that if the UK moves its embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, it would be seen by the PA as a recognition of the Israeli annexation of Jerusalem. The UK political parties Labour, Scottish National Party, and Liberal Democrats told Middle East Eye that they oppose moving the UK embassy to Jerusalem. (REU, TOI 10/3; HA, MEE, MEE 10/4; MEE, MEE, WAFA 10/5; MEMO 10/6; MEE 10/7; AJ 10/9; MEE, MEE, MEE, MEMO 10/11; MEE 10/19)

The EU-Israel association council convened for the 1st time since 2012. Addressing the EU representatives, Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid said that “Palestinians need to put an end to terrorism and incitement” in order for a 2-state solution to happen. After the meeting, EU ministers published a paper hailing cooperation with Israel, condemning Hamas, and criticizing Israel for its settlement policies, mentioning settlements in East Jerusalem and plans for E1. The minister also criticized Israeli policies of evictions and forced transfer of Palestinians and demolitions of EU-funded projects. (AJ, ALM, HA, MEMO 10/3)

The Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem appealed to ICC prosecutor Karim Khan to have the ICC act to protect Palestinian residents of Masafer Yatta from expulsion by Israel. (BTselem 10/3; HA, MEE 10/6; MEMO, WAFA 10/7)

In the West Bank, settlers with military protection toured Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus, leading to a confrontation with Palestinians protesting the incursion; 3 Israelis were shot and injured by Palestinian gunmen, including 1 soldier, and Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian using live ammunition, 16 others with baton rounds, and 40 were injured with tear gas. Israeli settlers also set fire to Palestinian-owned land planted with grapes and olives in Husan and uprooted some 200 cucumber saplings in Halhul. Israeli forces rammed a motorcycle carrying 2 Palestinians with their car in al-Khader, injuring both. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work notices for 2 houses and 1 agricultural structure in Ma‘in in the Masafer Yatta area. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ni‘lin, al-Am‘ari refugee camp, Qarawat Bani Hassan, Anabta, Arrabah, Aida refugee camp, and al-Arroub refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 2 Waqf guards were arrested at the Haram al-Sharif compound; 1 of them was later barred from entering the compound for 1 week. 2 others were arrested at the Bab al-Rahma area of the Haram al-Sharif compound and in Silwan. (AP, HA, JP, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/30; WAFA 7/1; PCHR 7/7; UNOCHA 7/22)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke to U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken in a phone call. According to a statement by the PA, the 2 spoke about preparations for president Joe Biden’s upcoming trip to Palestine and Israel later this month. Secretary Blinken also spoke to the soon-to-be Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid, congratulating him on his appointment (see below). (HA, REU, WAFA 6/30; REU 7/1)

The members of the Knesset voted to dissolve the parliament, leading to a new round of Israeli elections on 11/1. Foreign minister Yair Lapid will be prime minister beginning at midnight until a new prime minister is elected. (HA 6/29; AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA 6/30)

The EU sent a letter to Al Haq and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), informing the Palestinian rights organizations that it will reinstate EU funding that was cut after Israel alleged that Al Haq had financial ties to the PFLP. The EU anti-fraud agency OLAF did not find any indication that the Israeli allegations were true. The EU suspended funding to Al Haq and PCHR in May 2021. (AJ, HA 6/30; WAFA 7/2; MDW 7/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers marched to the Homesh settlement outpost, but were blocked by Israeli forces. Israeli settlers also assaulted Palestinian minors in Hebron. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers with military escort raided Burqa, leading to a confrontation between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers; 2 Palestinians were injured with baton rounds and 7 with tear gas. Israeli settlers also opened fire at Palestinians in Shufa, forcing them to leave their land; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor during a raid in al-Khader; the minor suffered 3 shots to his neck and back while hiding in a garage. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh called the killing intentional. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 4 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Huwwara, injuring 2 with live ammunition, 1 who was hit by a stun grenade, and 5 with pepper spray. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita and Bayt Dajan, injuring 2 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during a raid in Idhna and 1 at a checkpoint near al-Ibrahimi Mosque. In Gaza, 2 Palestinians were arrested near the Gaza fence east of Khan Yunis. (AJ, AP, HA, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/27; CNN, HA, MEE, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/28; HA 6/1; UNOCHA 6/4)

An Israeli court ruled that 7 Palestinians had to be released after being arrested as a “preventive measure” ahead of the Israeli settler flag march in East Jerusalem on 5/29. (HA 5/27)

The U.S. state department released a statement saying that secretary of state Antony Blinken told Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid that Israel should investigate the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh on 5/11. Multiple independent investigations have concluded that Israeli soldiers killed the Al Jazeera journalist, including some that asserted the killing was intentional. Israel has refused to conduct a criminal investigation into the killing. (AJ, REU 5/27; TOI 5/28)

Pro-Israeli political action committee the Urban Empowerment Action PAC announced it will spend upwards of $1 million in a primary to unseat the only Palestinian American congressperson Rashida Tlaib in the primary elections for the 12th congressional district in Michigan. The new super PAC will put its support behind Congresswoman Tlaib’s Democratic opponent Janice Winfrey. (HA 5/29; MEE 5/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Jenin, attempting to arrest the brothers of 1 Palestinian man who was shot and killed in Jaffa after he allegedly killed 3 Israelis and wounded 10 others in Tel Aviv on 4/7; Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor who was selling hot drinks near the raid. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians in Ya‘bad, injuring 6. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian in al-Khader, who they claimed had thrown a Molotov cocktail at the Israeli forces during a raid on the town. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian woman who allegedly stabbed 1 Israeli soldier in Hebron. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian widower and mother of 6 who the forces claimed had acted in a “suspicious manner” in Husan. The woman was unarmed. 20 were arrested during raids in Ya‘bad, Jenin, and Nur Shams refugee camp. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (ABC, AJ, AP, CNN, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, MEE, PCHR, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/10; AA, AJ, AP, CBS, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, MEMO, PCHR, WAFA 4/11; HA 4/12; CNN, MEE 4/13; HA, PCHR 4/14; UNOCHA 4/23)

The Israeli supreme court ruled that the PA may by liable for damages to Israeli victims of attacks by Palestinians, citing payments to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and their families by the PA. The PA called the supreme court decision “piracy.” (HA, TOI 4/10; MEMO, WAFA 4/11; AN, MEMO 4/12)

The Israeli cabinet voted to form a committee to study the possibility of revoking social benefits from Palestinian citizens and residents of Israel who are related to Palestinians charged with committed terror activity. The proposal was made by prime minister Naftali Bennett, foreign minister Yair Lapid, and labor minister Meir Cohen. (HA 4/10)

In a video recorded at the Damascus Gate plaza, MK and leader of the Joint List Ayman Odeh called on Palestinian citizens of Israel in the Israeli forces to lay down their arms and leave their posts in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. (ALM, HA, MEMO 4/11; HA 4/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up tents and a mobile home on Palestinian-owned land in Battir. Israeli forces assaulted and arrested 1 Palestinian in Hebron. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with a rubber-coated bullet and others suffered tear-gas related injuries during a raid in Abu Dis; 7 were arrested. 25 other Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids ‘Azzun, Silat al-Harithiya, Nur Shams refugee camp, Nablus, Beitunia, al-Bireh, Dayr Abu Mash‘al, al-Khader, Hebron, and Dura. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man who allegedly had stabbed 2 Israeli soldiers in the Old City; the man was shot by Israeli forces while he was lying on the ground. Israeli police removed 10 checkpoints in Sheikh Jarrah after Adalah petitioned the Israeli supreme court to have the checkpoints removed. The checkpoints were erected to help protect Israeli settlers that have been harassing Palestinians threatened by eviction in the neighborhood. 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Bayt Hanina, displacing 5. 1 other Palestinian was arrested in Kafr ‘Aqab. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire east of Khuza‘a and Maghazi, damaging a vehicle; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/7; AJ, AP 3/8; PCHR 3/9 MEE, PCHR 3/10; UNOCHA 3/11; PCN 3/14)

Israel charged 4 Palestinians from Sheikh Jarrah with throwing a Molotov cocktail at the home of 1 Israeli settler family’s residence in the neighborhood, causing a fire that destroyed the house and a vehicle in January. (HA 3/7)

In Syria, Israeli fighter jets, flying from Lebanese air space, fired missiles at the Damascus area, killing 2 and causing damage. Iran later said that the 2 killed were members of the Revolutionary Guard Corps. (AJ, HA, JP, MEMO, TOI 3/7; HA 3/8; AP, MEMO, REU 3/9; MEMO 3/10)

Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid met with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken in Latvia, briefing him on Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett’s efforts to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. (HA 3/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 110 olive saplings from 2 different groves in Burqin. Israeli settlers with military escort also toured Sabastia, closing parts of the town for Palestinians. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized 3 Palestinian vehicles in Kifl Haris. Israeli forces damaged agricultural lands planted with onions and garlic and a water pipeline during a military drill in Bardala. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ramallah, Silwad, Kafr Ni’ma, Qaddura refugee camp, Nablus, ‘Anata, Burqa, Kafr Qud, and al-Khader. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Ras al-Amud. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/10; PCHR 2/17; UNOCHA 2/28)

The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society said in a statement that Palestinian prisoners held by Israel refuse to leave their cells in protest over the Israeli prison service’s decision to decrease the time prisoners have in the prison yards by more than half. (MEE, WAFA 2/10; AJ 2/13)

Israel indicted the mother of 1 Palestinian charged with killing an Israeli settler on 12/16/2021 for not having prevented the attack on the settler. (HA 2/10)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas and PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock in Ramallah. Prime Minister Shtayyeh called on Germany to recognize the state of Palestine and to pressure Israel to respect agreements made with the PA. (WAFA, WAFA 2/11)

Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said at a joint press conference that the 2 countries will cooperate to find ways for Germany to fund projects in the West Bank without allowing funds to go to the 6 Palestinian rights organizations deemed terror organizations by Israel. The 6 organizations outlawed by Israel’s defense ministry in October 2021 are al-Haq, Addameer, Defense for Children International-Palestine, Bisan Center for Research and Development, the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, and the Union of Agricultural Work Committees. (HA 2/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized an agricultural structure in Khallet al-Dabe. Israeli settlers with military escort raided Burqa, leading to clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces; 3 were injured by rubber-coated bullets and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces razed 40 dunams (9.9 acres) of Palestinian agricultural lands near al-Khader and a tract of land in Kafr ad-Dik. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting against the administrative detention of a Palestinian who has been hunger striking for 140 days in Fawwar refugee camp, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a raid in Beit Umar; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also raided Huwwara and Tuqu’, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Abu Dis, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also delivered demolition notices for homes in Nahalin. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ramallah, Husan, Anabta, and Silat al-Harithiya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces delivered a stop-work order for a mosque in Isawiya. 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Silwan and the Old City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of the coast; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/3; MEMO 1/4; PCHR 1/6)

2 Israeli soldiers died in a helicopter crash off the coast of Haifa. (MEMO, MEMO, REU 1/4)

Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid, who is promised to be prime minister in August 2023, said that he will not start negotiations with Palestinians about a final peace agreement. (HA 1/3)

Israeli ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan criticized actress Emma Watson for a post on her Instagram account expressing solidarity with Palestinians. Ambassador Erdan’s criticism came shortly after his predecessor Danny Danon called Watson an anti-Semite for the post on her social media account. The criticism of Watson’s post sparked debates about the limitations to speech in support of Palestinians. Dozens of other Hollywood stars, including Susan Sarandon, Mark Ruffalo, and Viggo Mortensen, later signed a letter supporting Watson’s post and confirmed their stance in support of Palestinian rights. (GDN 1/4; MEMO 1/8; AJ, GDN, MEE, WAFA 1/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized 1 Palestinian-owned truck in al-Khader. Israeli forces also issued an order that it will seize around 50,000 dunams (12,355 acres) of land in and around Kisan. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Husan. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian demolished 2 rooms added to his house in Jabel Mukaber. 6 Palestinians, including 4 minors, were arrested in the Old City and Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Hamas security forces raided al-Azhar University, assaulting students for wearing the keffiyeh. Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian shepherds near Beit Hanun; no injuries were reported. (PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 9/21; PCHR 9/23; ALM 9/28)

Israel closed al-Ibrahimi Mosque for Palestinian worshipers until midnight on 9/24, citing the Sukkot holiday. (WAFA 9/22; MEMO 9/23)

Hamas’s official in charge of prisoner affairs Zaher Jabarin said that Hamas had made a new proposal for a prisoner swap with Israel. According to the Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar, 1 proposal included swapping 2 Israeli prisoners and the remains of 2 Israeli soldiers held by Hamas in exchange for the 6 Palestinians who escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6 and were later rearrested, along with all women and children held by Israel. A 2d proposal included providing information about the 2 Israelis held by Hamas in exchange for the release of women, children, and some of the Palestinians rearrested after a prisoner swap in 2011, followed by the release of thousands of Palestinians and the release of the Israelis held in Gaza. (HA, JP, MEMO 9/21; ALM 9/22; MEMO 9/23)

A new poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research found that 78% of the 1,270 Palestinians surveyed in the West Bank and Gaza wanted PA president Mahmoud Abbas to resign. The poll also found that 63% of the people polled believe that the PA or PA security leaders ordered the murder of Nizar Banat in order to silence his criticism of the PA. Lastly, the poll found that Marwan Barghouti has the most support of the potential presidential candidates brought up by the pollsters. (AP, HA 9/21; MEMO 9/22)

Progressive members of the Democratic Party in the house of representatives opposed adding $1 billion to funding of the Israeli Iron Dome to a stopgap government funding bill. Half the members of the progressive caucus said they would vote no on the bill if the Iron Dome funding was not removed, citing a need for transparency in military aid. The $1 billion, an addition to the $3.8 billion that Israel receives in military aid each year, will likely pass later either as a stand-alone bill or as an addition to the 2020 Defense Appropriations bill. House majority leader Steny Hoyer spoke to Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid, assuring him that Israel would receive the extra billion from the U.S, calling the issue a technicality. (MEMO 9/20; AA, AX, HA, HILL, POL, REU 9/21; AP, HA, HA, JP, JP, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, TOI, TOI, TOI, TOI 9/22)

At the UN general assembly, U.S. president Joe Biden said that his administration supports a 2-state solution with “a viable, sovereign, and democratic Palestinian state,” but that “[w]e are a long way from that goal at this moment.” Biden also said that the U.S. would reenter the Iran nuclear deal if Iran does. Qatar’s emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani criticized Israel’s policy of Judaizing Jerusalem and its assault on Gaza in May. (AA, HA, JP, MEE 9/21; TOI 9/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also leveled agricultural land near Bethlehem. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Shufa, Dheisheh refugee camp, al-Khader, Beit Fajjar, ‘Anata, and Dura. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a house raid in al-Tur. In West Jerusalem, 5 Jewish Israelis attacked 1 Palestinian man, stabbing and beating him while he was on his way home after work. 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. (WAFA 8/19; MEMO, MEMO 8/20; PCHR 8/26; TOI 8/29)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke to South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, thanking him for his support of Palestine. South Africa has been 1 of the most vocal opponents of the African Union decision to readmit Israel as an observer state on 7/22. (WAFA 8/19)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with UN special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland in Ramallah. Prime Minister Shtayyeh stressed that all aid to Palestine must go through the PA. Later, Qatar announced that an agreement to transfer Qatari aid to Palestinian families had been made and that the process does not involve the PA. The agreement that will remain in effect until the end of 2021 will see some 100,000 Palestinian families in Gaza receiving a monthly stipend of $100 from Qatar, which will be transferred to banks in Gaza via a UN bank account in New York. The UN World Food Programme provides ATM cards to the Palestinians in Gaza for the aid and Israel will approve the list of Palestinian families eligible. Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz said a separate mechanism would be set up for Palestinians in the West Bank where the PA will distribute funds. Haaretz sources said that part of the reason the PA was circumvented in the process of providing aid to Gaza was due to the possible legal procedures against the PA if aid money was provided to people affiliated with Hamas. Hamas later praised the agreement. (HA 8/17; AJ, ALM, AP, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 8/19; AJ, HA, JP, MEE, MEMO 8/20)

Israel’s foreign and alternate prime minister, Yair Lapid, told Israeli Channel 11 that there will not be a 2-state solution during the current government. Foreign Minister Lapid said that a 2-state solution is his preferred outcome, but that there is not any agreement for it within the current government. (JP 8/20)

Israeli forces used Lebanese air space to attack areas surrounding Damascus and Homs in Syria, allegedly killing 8, including 4 civilians. Lebanese defense minister Zeina Akar condemned Israel for violating its air space and flying at low altitudes. (AJ, AP, HA, TOI 8/19; MEE 8/20)

A shipment of Iranian fuel embarked toward Lebanon after a group of Shiite businessmen with help from Hezbollah bought the fuel. Lebanon has suffered a severe fuel shortage in recent months as its economy continues to deteriorate. Lebanese president Michel Aoun said that the U.S. will help Lebanon with its fuel shortage by providing electricity through Egyptian natural gas via Jordan and Syria. (AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, REU, REU 8/19; HA, MEMO 8/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces closed off large parts of Hebron to Palestinians, including forcing Palestinians to close their shops in the Bab al-Zawyeh area to allow Israeli settlers to tour it. Israeli forces also seized an excavator in Burin. 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Burqin, and Deir Ghasana, 1 was arrested at a checkpoint near al-Khader, and 1 was arrested at the entrance to Zabbuba. In East Jerusalem, nearly 1,700 Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound on the Jewish holiday Tisha B’Av, drawing criticism from the Israeli governing party the United Arab List, the PA, Hamas, the EU, and Jordan. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters on and around the Haram al-Sharif compound who were expressing anger over the settler incursion, causing injuries and 5 arrests. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEMO, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/18; MEMO, MEMO 7/19; PCHR 7/29)

The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt was open for 1 day. (MEMO, WAFA 7/19)

In a statement after the Israeli settlers had toured the Haram al-Sharif compound, Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said the Israeli security forces had preserved “freedom of worship for Jews on the Mound [the Haram al-Sharif compound],” a significant departure from the status quo of the Holy Sites and a 1st from an Israeli prime minister. Under the status quo agreement, only Muslims have the right to worship on the Haram al-Sharif compound. 1 day later, Prime Minister Bennett clarified that the wording was a mistake and that he meant “visit” rather than “worship.” (HA, MEMO 7/18; AP, HA, JP, WAFA 7/19)

The Israeli high court of justice rejected a petition from Peace Now to stop the transfer of Israeli public funds to the Amana movement, which funds and builds unauthorized constructions in Israeli settlements and settlement outposts. (HA 7/19)

Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid said that the Israeli government would examine the diplomatic ramifications of the demolition and eviction of the bedouin community Khan al-Ahmar. (HA 7/18; MEMO 7/19)

The PFLP-GC said it had elected a new leader, Talal Naji, to replace Ahmed Jibril who died on 7/7 after months of sickness. (AP, HA 7/18)

17 news outlets published a Forbidden Stories and Amnesty International investigation based on a leak of more than 50,000 records of phone numbers, which had been targeted for surveillance with Pegasus spyware from the Israeli spyware company NSO Group’s clients. The investigation found that at least 180 journalists from 21 countries had been targeted by 12 NSO Group clients, including the governments of Bahrain, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, India, the UAE, Mexico, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Togo, and Rwanda. The investigation also found that heads of governments, including Pakistan’s prime minister Imran Khan, France’s president Emmanuel Macron, and Morocco’s king Mohammed VI, were among possible victims. Furthermore, the investigation showed that Pegasus spyware was installed on Saudi dissent journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancée’s phone and that his son had been listed for targeting before Khashoggi was murdered by special forces in Saudi’s embassy in Istanbul on 10/2/2018. Charges against NSO Group that its spyware was used against Khashoggi have been denied by the company. The Israeli government approves all sales of spyware from NSO Group to potential clients. Amazon subsequently said it had shut down its servers used by NSO Group. The investigation comes as a different investigation into another Israeli spyware company Candiru was released on 7/15. Later, after the Forbidden Stories investigation was published and with international criticism mounting, the Knesset’s foreign affairs and defense committee chairman Ram Ben Barak on 7/22 said that his committee would review the process of granting licenses to export spyware to other countries. France and Luxembourg said they would start investigations into the Israeli-made spyware. (NYT 7/17; AI, AJ, F24, GDN, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, NYT 7/18; AJ, ALM, AP, GDN, MEE, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, NPR, REU, REU 7/19; AJ, ALM, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, MEE, REU 7/20; AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, REU, REU, REU 7/21; AJ, ALM, BBC, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE 7/22; HA, MEE, MEE 7/23; CNN, HILL 7/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers razed 20 dunums (5 acres) of land near Jalud. Israeli forces punitively demolished the home of an alleged attacker in Turmus ‘Ayya, displacing his family and damaging nearby buildings as the house was blown up. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around al-Arroub refugee camp, Hebron, Dahariya, al-Khader, and Abu Dis. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces delivered a demolition order for a 4-story building in Shu‘fat, which would displace 55 Palestinians. 2 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Isawiya and the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on residential buildings east of Rafah, causing damage but no injuries. (AJ, ALM, AX, HA, JP, MEE, MEMO, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/8; AP, TOI 7/9; PCHR 7/15)

Palestinian owners of the land seized by Israeli settlers for the Evyater settlement outpost petitioned the Israeli high court of justice to cancel the deal made between the Israeli settlers and the Israeli government on 7/1. (HA, WAFA 7/8)

1 Palestinian prisoner held on administrative detention was released from detention to a hospital in Ramallah after 65 days of hunger strike. (PCHR 7/7; AP, HA, MEE, MEMO, WAFA 7/8; AJ 7/9)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas and other senior PA officials met with 11 U.S. congresspeople in Ramallah, including the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Ted Deutch (D-FL), David Cicilline (D-RI), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Kathy Manning (D-NC), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Andy Barr (R-KY), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), and French Hill (R-AR). The members of Congress met with Israeli officials on 7/6. (MEE 7/6; JNS 7/7; WAFA 7/8)

Israel charged a Palestinian Israeli imam of Lydda’s largest mosque, Shaykh Yousef al-Baz, with incitement to violence for sharing a movie clip on Facebook showing people killing a police officer. Shaykh al-Baz was arrested on 6/17. (ALM, HA 7/8)

Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid and Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi met at the Allenby Bridge, where the 2 made agreements for Jordan to buy 50 million cubic meters of water from Israel and to increase the Jordanian export to the West Bank from $160 million to $700 million. Foreign minister Safadi also called for Israeli to halt settlement expansions, maintaining the status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem, and called evictions of Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem a “war crime.” Walla News also reported that Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett secretly met with Jordan’s king Abdullah II in Amman last week and that PA president Mahmoud Abbas was summoned to meet King Abdullah shortly after his meeting with Prime Minister Bennett. President Abbas met with King Abdullah in Amman on 6/30. (AJ, ALM, AP, AX, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU, TOI 7/8; MEMO 7/9)

The Israeli high court of justice denied petitions challenging the legality of the nation-state law, ruling 10-1 that the law is not anti-democratic in the eyes of the judges. The dissenting judge is the court’s only Palestinian Israeli judge. Chairman of the Joint Arab List Ayman Odeh called the ruling “racist and anti-democratic.” Adalah said that the court had “enshrined Jewish supremacy and racial segregation as founding principles of the Israeli regime” with its ruling. For more about the Nation-State law, see the IPS publication “Israel's Nation-State Law: Institutionalizing Discrimination.” (AJ, AP, HA, JP, TOI, WAFA, WP 7/8; MEMO 7/9)

The U.S. embassy in Israel issued a statement criticizing the Israeli punitive demolition of the house of an accused Palestinian-American assailant in Turmus ‘Ayya (see above); secretary of state Antony Blinken “raised concern directly with senior Israeli officials” about the issue, possibly because the family living in the building are U.S. citizens. House chairman Meeks also called the Israeli foreign minister to protest the demolition. (AJ, ALM, AX, HA, JP, MEE, MEMO, REU, REU 7/8; AX 7/14)