The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Palestinians protest outside the UNRWA headquarters in Ramallah against the countries that have suspended funding to the agency. Israeli settlers assault Palestinians in Khillet al-Farra in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces raid Nur Shams refugee camp, killing 3 Palestinians and injuring 1, uprooting streets, and destroying property. Israeli forces also shoot and injure a Palestinian during a raid in Wadi al-Fara’a. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolish a home under construction in Bayt Jala. Israeli forces also arrest 25 Palestinians during raids in Jenin, Hebron, Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers tour the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Rafah, Khan Yunis, and Gaza City, killing at least 123 people, including 13 people collecting water from a truck distributing aid in Gaza City. Israeli forces also shoot and kill a paramedic and injure 2 others while they are evacuating injured people in Gaza City and open fire at al-Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis, injuring 2. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shoot and kill a woman trying to collect water for the Nasser Hospital. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli forces kill 2 Palestinian fishermen northwest of Rafah. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Khiam, killing 1 civilian and wounding 2 others. Israeli forces also bomb Marwahin and Bani Haiyyan. In Iraq, U.S. forces kill at least 3 people, including a senior member of Kataib Hezbollah, in an airstrike on Baghdad. (AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/7; AJ, UNOCHA 2/8)

More than 27,708 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 11,500 children and 7,200 women, and around 67,147 have been injured since 10/7. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 379 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 96 children. More than 4,426 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, 225 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,304 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. 169 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. The Gaza Ministry of Health says 11,000 sick and wounded Palestinians need evacuation for treatment. The Gaza Media Office says Israeli has burned 3,000 housing units in Gaza during its ground invasion. The UN says Israel has prevented 51 out of 61 planned aid missions to northern Gaza. Israelis continue to block the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing for the second day in a row. (AJ, AP, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 2/7; AJ, UNOCHA 2/8)

The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society says that there are 3,484 Palestinians held in administrative detention, including 40 children and 11 women. (WAFA 2/7)

An Israeli soldier dies of a fungal infection after being exposed 7 weeks ago in Gaza. (HA 2/7)

Details of Hamas’s counterproposal to the Israeli, U.S., Qatari, and Egyptian ceasefire proposal are unveiled. The Hamas proposal includes 3 stages of 45 days. In the first stage, Israel and Hamas would exchange the remaining female, child, and elderly Israeli captives for 1,500 Palestinian prisoners, see 500 trucks of aid enter Gaza daily, allow Palestinians to return to their homes in Gaza, allow the entry of 60,000 temporary homes and 200,000 tents, and stop Israeli settlers from entering the Haram al-Sharif compound. In the second stage, male captives would be exchanged for more Palestinian prisoners. In the third phase, the bodies of those killed would be exchanged. The proposal also calls for securing the reconstruction of Gaza and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. Hamas political bureau member Mohammad Nazzal says the Hamas proposal has clear deadlines which the original proposal lacked, that Qatar, Egypt, Russia, Turkey, and the UN will be guarantors for maintaining the ceasefire, and that the proposal is final. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls the counterproposal “delusional,” saying Israel will not end its war on Gaza and will continue until “total victory.” (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU 2/7; NYT, NYT 2/8)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken meets with PA president Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, discussing negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza, Israel’s withholding of PA tax funds, and settler violence. Abbas also expresses the importance of the U.S. recognizing the state of Palestine. Blinken also meets with Prime Minister Netanyahu, military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and President Issac Herzog. The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reports that Netanyahu promises Blinken that Israel will not invade Egypt at the Philadelphi Corridor without coordination with Egypt. Blinken says at a press conference that Hamas will not play a role in the future governance of Gaza, that the death toll in Gaza remains too high, and that Israel should open the Beit Hanun (Erez) crossing to allow more aid to enter Gaza. Blinken also says that the Hamas response to the ceasefire deal has “clear non-starters,” but that he thinks there is space for an agreement to be reached. Lastly, Blinken says that Israel cannot use the events of 10/7/2023 as a “license to dehumanize others.” Netanyahu says he complained to Blinken about the U.S. executive order allowing the U.S. sanction Israeli settlers, calling the order “inappropriate” and “highly problematic.”  (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, AX, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 2/7; HA, HA, NYT, REU 2/8)

Hamas says a delegation led by political bureau deputy leader Khalil al-Hayya will travel to Egypt for continued ceasefire talks with officials from Egypt and Qatar. (AJ 2/7)

PA health minister Mai al-Kaila sends a letter to UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres, calling on him to ensure that medical personnel in Gaza are protected as 340 doctors and health workers have been killed by Israeli forces. Al-Mezan says in a letter to Guterres that the UN Office on Genocide Prevention has failed in its mandate, calling it “double standards.” (AJ, WAFA 2/7)

The Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry issues a statement saying “in light of what has been attributed to the U.S. National Security Spokesperson, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms that the position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always been steadfast on the Palestinian issue . . . The Kingdom has communicated its formal position to the U.S. administration that there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is recognized on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and that the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip stops and all Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Gaza Strip.” In the statement, Saudi Arabia also calls on UN Security Council members to recognize the state of Palestine. The PLO and PA welcome the Saudi statement. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/7)

Argentinian president Javier Milei meets with Prime Minister Netanyahu in Jerusalem, saying Argentina will designate Hamas as a terrorist organization. On 2/6, Milei said he would move the Argentinian embassy to East Jerusalem. The Arab League and OIC condemn Milei’s promise to move the embassy. (AJ, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA 2/7)

The U.S. Senate rejects a $118 billion bill that would fund Israel’s war on Gaza, send military aid to Ukraine, and fund the U.S.-Mexico border. Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VA) says he voted against the bill because the military aid to Israel is “unconscionable” given the Israel’s “horrific war against the Palestinian people,” and because of the provisions in the bill that would prevent UNRWA funding. (AJ, AJ, HA 2/7)

The American Civil Liberties Union writes a letter to U.S. secretary of education Miguel Cardona, calling on him to reject the International Holocaust Remembrance Association’s working definition of anti-Semitism, saying it conflates anti-Semitism with political speech. (AJ 2/7)

Canadian immigration minister Marc Miller says Egyptian and Israeli authorities have not allowed 1,000 Palestinians who have been granted permission to come to Canada to be evacuated. (AJ 2/7)

Norway transfers $26 million to UNRWA, saying millions of people should not be collectively punished for the alleged wrongdoing of 12 staff members. (AJ 2/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raid al-‘Awja, injuring 1 man with stones, damaging 6 vehicles, and stealing 10 sheep. Israeli settlers also raid Farasin, causing extensive damage to Palestinian property. Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian with live ammunition during a raid in Kafr Jamal. Israeli forces also raid Ya’bad, assaulting 2 Palestinians and seizing 2 vehicles. In East Jerusalem, 2 Israeli settlers spit at a Christian abbot from Germany, the 2 are later placed under house arrest. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Khan Yunis, Rafah, Dayr al-Balah, and Gaza City, killing at least 107 people. The Israeli bombs hit a fuel tank at the European Hospital, causing damage to the hospital. An Israeli soldier is killed in combat. In Lebanon, Hezbollah fires a missile at Israeli soldiers on al-Kubra hills and targets an Israeli base in Khirbet Maar. Israeli forces bomb homes in Yaroun. In Syria and Iraq, U.S. forces use 125 bombs to attack 3 sites in Iraq and 4 in Syria, killing 16 people in Iraq and 23 people in Syria. In Yemen, U.S. and UK forces, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Canada, attack 36 targets in 13 different places across the country. (AJ, AP, HA, NYT, NYT 2/2; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AX, AX, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/3; AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, NYT, UNOCHA, WAFA 2/4)

More than 27,283 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 11,500 children and 7,200 women, and around 66,452 have been injured since 10/7. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 374 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 94 children. More than 4,408 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, 223 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,296 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. (UNOCHA 2/4)

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh meets with Turkey’s National Intelligence Agency director Ibrahim Kalin in Doha. AP reports that Hamas has started distributing salaries to government employees and Hamas employed police officers are patrolling parts of Gaza City.  (AJ, HA, HA 2/3)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh says 5 countries that announced suspension of funding to UNRWA informed him on 2/1 that they would resume funding within weeks. (AJ 2/3)

Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari says Israel has attacked Syria 50 times and Lebanon 200 times since 10/7/2023. (AJ, REU 2/3)

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry summons the U.S. charge d’affaires in Baghdad David Burger after U.S. and UK attacks in Iraq. U.S. secretary of defense Lloyd Austin says the attack on Syria and Iraq are “the start of our response” to the killing of 3 U.S. soldiers in Jordan earlier this week. (AJ, REU 2/3)

German foreign minister Anna Baerbock says Israeli plans to move its ground forces to Rafah “would simply not be justifiable.” (AJ 2/3)

The U.S. House of Representatives’ appropriations panel recommends a bill providing $17.6 billion in funding for the Israeli military, including $4.4 billion in weapons supplies, $4 billion for missile defense, $3.5 billion for financing of advanced weapons systems, $1.2 billion for the development of the Iron Beam laser missile defense, and $1 billion to improve artillery and munitions production. Speaker Mike Johnson says the House could vote on the bill next week. The House Freedom Caucus later indicates that its members will not support the bill, instead proposing that the U.S. pays for the aid to Israel by cutting funding to the UN and scrapping the IRS expansion. (AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU 2/3; HA 2/4; HA 2/5)

Portugal announces a $1.08 million donation to UNRWA. The UAE donates $5 million to UNRWA earmarked for relief efforts in Gaza. Slovenian foreign minister Tanja Fajon says her country will not stop funding UNRWA during a meeting of EU foreign ministers. (AJ 2/3)

Israeli Channel 13 reports that Israel is considering closing the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt due to tensions with Egypt. (AJ 2/3)

The New York Times reports that it was UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini who informed the U.S. on 1/24 about the Israeli allegations against 12 UNRWA staffers after a meeting with an Israeli diplomat in Tel Aviv on 1/18 where the Israeli allegations were shared with him. Lazzarini also met with UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres before sharing the information with the U.S., where they decided to fire 9 out of the 10 staffers who are still alive. (HA, NYT 2/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian man at his home in Kisan. Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian man in Tammun during a raid. Israeli forces also continue the raid in Nur Shams refugee camp for the second day in a row. The raid ends after 40 hours with 13 Palestinians suffering from broken bones during Israeli interrogations, 400 Palestinians detained, and vast destruction caused by bulldozers and drone-fired missiles on its second day; 3 Israeli soldiers are reportedly injured during the raid. Elsewhere, Israeli forces begin constructing settler roads in the Masafer Yatta area near Umm al-Khair. Israeli forces also arrest a child and confiscate 60 sheep he is herding. Israeli forces arrest 27 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm, Salfit, Qalqilya, Hebron, Bethlehem, Jenin, Nablus, Tubas, and Ramallah. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Khan Yunis, Rafah, Maghazi, Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 125 people, including at the Palestinian Red Crescent Society’s headquarters in Khan Yunis for the third day in a row. Palestinians in Maghazi report that Israeli forces massacre Palestinian civilians with snipers and bulldozers. Jabalia refugee camp floods after heavy rain, leading to sewage mixing with the standing water. An anti-aircraft missile fired at an Israeli helicopter hits a clinic in Kibbutz Nirim. In Lebanon, Hezbollah fires rockets at Israeli soldiers near al-Marj and Israeli forces target Hezbollah in Maroun al-Ras. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/4; AJ 1/5; AJ 1/6)

More than 22,438 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 8,800 children and 6,300 women, and around 57,697 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 318 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 80 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 1,003 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. 177 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah and Karim Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings. (UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 1/4)

Israel’s military publishes on Facebook that it has closed the evacuation corridor on Salah al-Din Street and opened a new corridor on al-Rashid Street. Movement is only allowed from north to south between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. (AJ, UNOCHA 1/4)

The Palestinian Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners Affairs Authority names 51 Palestinian women and children who had been abducted by Israeli forces in Gaza and taken to the Damon Prison. (AJ, WAFA 1/4)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant releases a framework for post-war Gaza in which a Palestinian entity that is not hostile to Israel and is not Hamas nor the PA is in control of Gaza, Israeli settlers do not return to Gaza, but the Israeli military will be able to operate in Gaza and oversee the borders. Gallant also says an international coalition will be responsible for rebuilding Gaza. The PA rejects Gallant’s framework. Gallant also meets with U.S. deputy assistant to the president and senior adviser for energy and investment Amos Hochstein, saying the window for diplomacy with Lebanon is closing. Hochstein also meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who tells him that Israel is seeking “a fundamental change on its border with Lebanon.” Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz says Israel will return its ambassador to Spain. (AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, REU 1/4; AJ, HA, NYT, WAFA 1/5)

Lebanon files a complaint with the UN Security Council over the Israeli assassination of Saleh al-Arouri and over Israel’s usage of Lebanese airspace to attack Syria. (AJ, HA 1/5)

Jordan says it backs South Africa’s case against Israel at the ICJ. (AJ 1/9)

The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, France, Japan, Germany, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Qatar condemn statements made by Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir calling for the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza and the resettling of Gaza by Israeli settlers. UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Turk says he is “very disturbed” by the statements. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 1/4; AJ, WAFA, WAFA 1/5)

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby says the U.S. has “not seen anything that would convince us that we need to take a different approach in terms of trying to help Israel defend itself.” Kirby also says that Israel should release the PA tax revenue to the PA, saying it is “Palestinian money,” and defends UNRWA from attacks by Israel and U.S. Republicans, saying “UNRWA does important work.” (AJ, HA 1/4; HA 1/5)

U.S. forces conduct an airstrike in Baghdad, killing Popular Mobilisation Forces commander Hajj Mushtaq Talib al-Saidi. Iraqi prime minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani condemns the attack, calling it a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and later on 1/5 says the government will start the process of removing the U.S.-led coalition from Iraq. (AJ, AP, HA, REU 1/4; AJ, AP, REU 1/5)

Israel chooses British lawyer Malcom Shaw to represent the country at the upcoming genocide hearings at the ICJ. Axios reports that Israel’s Foreign Ministry has sends out a cable to its embassies instructing its diplomats to pressure countries into issuing statements against South Africa’s case against Israel at the ICJ. (HA, HA 1/4; AX 1/5)

A political appointee at the U.S. Department of Education, Tariq Habash, resigns over U.S. support for Israel’s attacks on Gaza, saying he will not be quietly complicit. Habash was the political advisor in the department’s Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development. (HA, NYT 1/4)

Peace Now issues a report saying settlement activity in the West Bank has surged at unprecedented levels since 10/7. The report says Israeli settlers have created 9 new settlement outposts, made 18 paved roads, returned to the Amona outpost, closed roads for Palestinian vehicles, and built fences outside settlements. (PCN, PCN 1/4; NYT, WAFA 1/5)

The Intercept reports that all CNN stories related to Israel and Palestine are being reviewed at the CNN Jerusalem bureau before publication, where the stories are subject to the Israeli military’s censor. The Intercept also says CNN has issued directives to its journalists on language to avoid, directed them not to relay statements from Hamas, and has hired a former Israeli soldier from the Military Spokesperson Unit to serve as a reporter. (INT 1/4)

Former U.S. vice president Mike Pence tours northern Israel, writing a message on a bomb intended to be dropped on Lebanon. (HA 1/5; HA 1/6; HA 1/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized a home in Shaab al-Butum for the third time in recent days and vandalized a power generator and internet cables in Wadi Jahish in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces shot and killed a 66-year-old Palestinian taxi driver while he working in Hebron. Israeli forces also shot and killed 2 Palestinians during a late-night raid in Tulkarm refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces also shot and injured 4 Palestinians during a raid in Qalqilya. Israeli forces also opened fire at Palestinians harvesting olives in Zabbuba. 50 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, Jericho, Nablus, Qalqilya, and Jenin. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes on residential buildings in Nuseirat refugee camp, Dayr al-Balah, Bani Suhaila, and Jabalia refugee camp killed dozens of Palestinians and wounded many others, with at least 31 fatalities in Jabalia. Israel also attacked the Qatari-run Gaza Reconstruction Committee building, leading to condemnation from Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan. Israel claimed its forces assassinated Hamas militant Yaqoub Ashour and political wing member Muhammad Khamis Dababesh. 2 Israeli soldiers were killed in Gaza. Rockets were fired at Israel, causing a fire in Petah Tikva. In South Lebanon, Israel attacked several places, calling them Hezbollah positions, killing 2 in Ainata and injuring Al Jazeera journalist Isaam Mawasi in Yaroun. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/13; WAFA 11/14)

The Gaza Ministry of Health was not able to fully update the casualty figures due to a collapse in services and communications at hospitals in northern Gaza. However, it did say that at least 11,360 Palestinians have been killed, up from 11,078 on 11/10, including 4,609 children and 3,100 women, and 27,490 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 3,250 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 180 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 47 children. More than 2,552 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals had been killed and 5,431 have injured since 10/7. 47 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.61 million Palestinians, around 70% 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 Israel blockade. As of 11/6, at least 40,000 housing units have been destroyed and 220,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 45% of all housing units. The PA Health Ministry said at least 32 patients at al-Shifa Hospital had died in the past 3 days, including 6 premature babies. 155 truckloads of aid entered Gaza through via the Rafah crossing. About 600 foreign nationals were evacuated to Egypt. The UN indicated that 12,500 displaced people, 900 patients, and 1,000 health workers fled the hospital over the weekend, saying that around 200,000 Palestinians have fled northern Gaza to the south since 11/5. The Kamal Adwan Hospital shut down operations after running out of fuel. The main power generator at al-Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis shut down due to a lack of fuel, putting 25 patients at imminent risk of death. UNRWA said Israel had used UNRWA facilities in Gaza to make camp sites and for interrogation of displaced Palestinians, as well as the killing of 5 Palestinians. UNRWA also said that it would be unable to receive aid from 11/14 due to its trucks running out of fuel. The Committee to Protect Journalists said 42 journalists and media workers had been killed since 10/7, including 37 Palestinians, 4 Israelis, and 1 Lebanese. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 11/13; AJ 11/14)

A 33-year-old Palestinian prisoner died in the Megiddo Prison. The Prisoners’ Commission and the Prisoner’s Society called his death a “premediated assassination.” 5 Palestinians have died in Israeli custody since 10/7. (WAFA 11/14)

The Shin Bet said it had recorded 120 hate crimes committed by Israeli settlers in the West Bank since 10/7 but that no one had been charged with any offenses. (HA 11/13)

Hamas official Osama Hamdan said an agreement on a prisoner exchange had come close several times, but that Israel repeatedly changed the terms at the last minute. Hamdan said most recently an agreement came close that would have seen Israel release 200 children and 75 women and allow fuel through the Rafah crossing in exchange for 50 captives. Hamas released a video that reportedly showed Israeli airstrikes killing a female captive and released a video of the captive filmed before her death. (AJ, HA 11/13; NYT 11/14)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh called on the UN and EU “to parachute aid into Gaza, especially the north.” (AJ 11/13)

The Israel Broadcasting Authority blocked the broadcast of the Lebanese Al-Mayadeen channel in Israel. The Knesset passed a law to allow the defense minister to declare foreigners terrorists even if they have not been declared terrorists by bodies outside of the country. 2 Israeli soldiers were dismissed after they raided a school in al-Twana, seizing a Palestinian flag and threatening to raid the school daily. (AJ, AP, HA, REU 11/13; HA 11/14)

U.S. president Joe Biden met with Indonesian president Joko Widodo, who told him that a “ceasefire is a must for the sake of humanity.” Separately Biden said he expected “less intrusive action relative to the [al-Shifa] hospital,” saying the “hospital must be protected.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with newly appointed UK foreign secretary David Cameron about the situation in Gaza. (AJ, HA 11/13; AJ, AJ 11/14)

Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store called on Israel to hand over the full tax revenue amount to the PA. (AJ, HA 11/13)

The Center for Constitutional Rights in the U.S. filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Palestinian human rights organizations against President Biden, Secretary Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, claiming they have failed to prevent Israeli genocide of Palestinians. (AJ 11/13; AJ 11/14)

30 U.S.-based civil society groups wrote a letter to Secretary Austin, urging the U.S. not to send 155mm artillery shells to Israel, saying they will be used for indiscriminate targeting due to the nature of the shells. (AJ 11/13)

An Iraqi militia released a video of Russian Israeli academic Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was kidnapped in Baghdad in March. (HA, NYT 11/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked and injured 4 Palestinians harvesting olives in Jamma’in with dogs, stones, and pepper spray. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians during raids in Arrabah and Jenin. Israeli forces shot and injured 6 Palestinians during raids in Yatta, Tana, Jenin, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. Elsewhere, Israeli forces prevented Palestinians from harvesting olives near Madama, seizing their tools. 25 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Idhna, Ramallah, Tulkarm, and Bethlehem. In Gaza, it was unclear how many Palestinians were killed and injured by Israeli airstrikes due to a collapse in services and communications at hospitals in the north. At least 13 were killed and 15 wounded in an airstrike on Rafah. Doctors Without Borders said people fleeing al-Shifa Hospital were being shot at as the hospital was surrounded by Israeli forces. Israeli attacks on al-Shifa Hospital killed 3 nurses and caused damage to several facilities including water tanks, a well, and the oxygen station. 5 Israeli soldiers were killed by Palestinian militants. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/11; UNOCHA 11/12)

The Gaza Ministry of Health was not able to update the casualty figures due to a collapse in services and communications at hospitals in northern Gaza. As of 11/10, at least 11,078 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,506 children and 3,027 women, and 27,490 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 2,450 people were buried in rubble, including 1,350 children. 176 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 47 children. More than 2,552 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals had been killed and 5,431 have injured since 10/7. 47 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.61 million Palestinians, around 70% 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 Israel blockade. As of 11/6, at least 40,000 housing units have been destroyed and 220,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 45% of all housing units. Thousands of Palestinians fled from northern Gaza to the south. No one was evacuated from Gaza to Egypt. 53 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. PA health minister Mai al-Kaila said 20 out of 30 hospitals in Gaza had shut down and that 37 premature babies were at risk of death due to the lack of oxygen at al-Shifa Hospital, noting that 2 babies died early today. Al-Shifa Hospital director Muhammad Abu Salmiya said the hospital was without power, internet, water, and medical supplies, saying it completely ran out of fuel. Abu Salmiya also said Israel had attacked the hospital, preventing people from leaving. Jordan air-dropped medical aid to the Jordanian field hospital in Gaza for the second time. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA 11/11; AJ, HA, WAFA 11/12)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh criticized Germany for supplying Israel with weapons during its war on Gaza. (AJ 11/11)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he did not support resettling Gaza, saying it is not a “realistic goal,” and said the PA should not govern Gaza. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told soldiers near the Blue Line that “[w]hat we do in Gaza, we know how to do in Beirut.” (AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA 11/11; AJ, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA 11/12; HA 11/13)

Arab League and OIC leaders met for a joint session of the 2 organizations in Riyadh. In a joint statement, the members said Israel must end its “aggression against Gaza,” rejected the notion that Israel was acting in self-defense, and called for a halt to arms exports to Israel. PA president Mahmoud Abbas called on the UN Security Council and the U.S. to quickly intervene to end the Israeli attacks and to end Israel’s expulsion of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi told the joint session that the U.S. bears full responsibility for the Israeli actions in Gaza and called on the groups to designate the Israeli government and military a terrorist organization. It was the first time Raisi visited Saudi Arabia and the first visit by an Iranian president since 2012. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called on the IAEA to investigate Israel’s possession of nuclear weapons and for an international peace conference to solve the overall conflict. Qatari emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said Israel was using humanitarian aid as political blackmail and said the international community had failed in stopping Israeli war crimes. Hamas representative Osama Hamdan criticized the summit for failing to outline concrete steps to stop the Israeli attacks. Abbas met with leaders of Iraq, Bahrain, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia after the summit. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/11; AJ 11/12)

Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah said Hezbollah was launching drones at Israel every day, calling it part of a “war of attrition for the Israeli air defense.” Nasrallah also said Hezbollah will introduce heavier weapons to its fight against Israel. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU 11/11; HA 11/12)

Reuters reported that the UAE does not plan to sever ties with Israel over its attacks on Gaza. (REU 11/11)

Organizers said 1 million pro-Palestinian protestors marched in London, while London police estimated 300,000 took part. Major protests were also held in New York, Brussels, Paris, Baghdad, Karachi, Berlin, Edinburgh, and elsewhere. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 11/11)

In the West Bank, an Israeli settler was filmed shooting a Palestinian man point-blank in the stomach, critically injuring him during a settler raid in al-Twana. Israeli settlers also shot and injured 3 Palestinians with live ammunition in Nablus, Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized 2 agricultural structures and uprooted fruit trees in Masafer Yatta, damaged vehicles near Nahalin, and homes in Silat ad-Dhahr. Israeli forces shot and killed 15 Palestinians, including 3 minors, during raids in Tulkarm, Beit Furik, Beit Ula, al-Ram, Atuf, Biddu, Bayt Liqya, and Hebron. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Halhul, Dheisheh refugee camp, Qalandia, Huwwara, Budrus, al-Khader, Bethlehem, al-Twana, Jenin, Hebron, and Qalqilya, injuring 53 with live ammunition and baton rounds. An Israeli soldier was killed in friendly fire in Nablus. 36 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron, Fawwar refugee camp, Qalqilya, Dheisheh refugee camp, Beit Umar, and Halhul. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces killed 2 Palestinians children in Isawiya. Israel also refused Palestinians under the age of 35 entry to the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, 70 Palestinians following Israeli evacuation orders were killed and more than 200 wounded in an airstrike on a road. Around 300 others were also killed and more than 1,100 were injured in Israeli airstrikes throughout Gaza. Israeli forces also made incursions into Gaza, retrieving the bodies of several Israelis. Rockets were fired at Israel from Gaza; no deaths were reported. In Lebanon, Israeli forces killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdullah and injured 6 others in a missile strike. Al Jazeera said Israel targeted the group of journalists intentionally. (AP 10/7; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/13; AJ, HA, HA, REU 10/14; AP, REU, REU 10/15)

The Gaza Ministry of Health said that as of 2 p.m. at least 1,799 Palestinians had been killed and 7,388 had been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. Hamas said 13 of the captives from Israel, including foreign nationals, have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in the past 24 hours. Israel said it hit 750 targets overnight and destroyed 12 high-rise buildings within a minute. 51 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 11 children. More than 700 have been injured. Israeli officials said 1,300 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 3,436 injured since 10/7. The UN reported that 423,378 Palestinians have been displaced since 10/7 and that since 11 p.m. on 10/12 there has been a complete electricity blackout due to the Israeli blockade. At least 9,283 housing units have been destroyed in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA 10/13)

The Israeli military told around 1.1 million Palestinians in the northern part of Gaza, including Gaza City, that they should flee south within the next 24 hours. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that would have “devastating humanitarian consequences” and strongly appealed to Israel to rescind the order. Many countries also called on Israel to reverse its order. The WHO called relocating severely ill people a “death sentence.” UNRWA offered its staff and their families shelter at an UNRWA compound in southern Gaza but said it did not have plans to evacuate Palestinians sheltering in UNRWA schools throughout Gaza as it does not have any capacity in the south and has no means of transporting the many thousands of people. Hamas’ refugee affairs authority called on Palestinians to remain in their homes, calling the Israeli evacuation order “disgusting phycological war.” Egypt moved thousands of troops to its Gaza border to prevent Palestinians fleeing Israeli attacks from breaching the border fence. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, AP, HA, REU, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/13; AJ, AJ, AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/14; WAFA, WAFA 10/15)

Adalah, the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, Physicians for Human Rights Israel, ACRI, and HaMoked sent letters to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Attorney General Gali Baharav Miara, and Israel Prison Service head Katy Perry demanding that water and electricity be restored in the security wings of Israeli prisons that hold Palestinians. The Commission for the Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners Affairs said on 10/12 that Israel had started collectively punishing prisoners in the Naqab prison on 10/11. (Adalah, WAFA 10/14)

The UN appealed for $294 million in aid to help around 1.3 million Palestinians in Gaza. (REU 10/13)

A Turkish cargo plane with humanitarian aid arrived in Egypt for transfer to Gaza. (AJ 10/13)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. (AJ 10/13)

Israeli president Isaac Herzog blamed Palestinian civilians in Gaza for the Hamas operation, saying “[i]t is not true this rhetoric about civilians [being] not aware, responsible for the attack . . . They could have risen up, they could have fought against that evil regime which took over Gaza in a coup d’état.” (FT 10/13)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant said Israel received a second plane carrying U.S. ammunition. (AJ 10/13)

Tens of thousands of protesters demonstrated in Baghdad and Tehran against the Israeli attacks in Gaza. Jordanians marched toward the border with the West Bank in protest against the Israeli attacks. Jordanian police violently dispersed protesters at the border. Large protests were also held in Yemen, Pakistan, and elsewhere. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, WAFA 10/13)

After meeting Lebanese caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati and Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut, Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian warned Israel that if it does not stop its attacks on Gaza the war could spread to other parts of the Middle East. (AP, REU, REU 10/13)

U.S. secretary of defense Lloyd Austin III arrived in Israel to meet with Israeli leaders. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Jordan for meetings with Jordanian king Abdullah II and PA president Mahmoud Abbas. Abbas told Blinken that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people and called for the opening of humanitarian corridors and for aid to enter Gaza. Blinken offered condolences for the Palestinian victims of the Israel-Hamas war. Abbas also spoke with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau. 55 members of Congress wrote a letter to U.S. president Joe Biden, urging him to pressure Israel to protect civilians in Gaza. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/13)

Russia introduced a draft UN Security Council resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire. President Vladimir Putin compared the siege of Gaza to the Nazi siege of Leningrad during World War II. (HA 10/13)

Reuters reported that Saudi Arabia had frozen normalization talks with Israel and the U.S. due to the attacks on Gaza. (HA, HA 10/13; AJ 10/14)

The New York Times and NBC News reported that they had obtained documents that allegedly show how Hamas instructed militants to target schools and seize captives during its 10/7 operation. Israeli schools were closed on 10/7 as it was a Saturday. The documents were allegedly found on the bodies of militants killed by Israel and were labeled “top secret” in Arabic. Other media outlets questioned whether the documents were fabricated. (HA 10/13; HA 10/14)

The Huffington Post reported that the U.S. State Department was telling its diplomats not to use the terms “de-escalation/ceasefire,” “end to violence/bloodshed,” and “restoring calm,” when referring to Israel and Gaza. (AJ 10/13)

New South Wales police force said it has sought legal advice on if it can use special stop-and-search powers for the first time since 2005 to demand the identities of pro-Palestinian protesters attending an unauthorized demonstration in Sydney, Australia on 10/15. (REU 10/13)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli police vehicle was shot at in Nablus, no injuries were reported. Israeli settlers set fire to olive trees in Burin. Israeli settlers also set fire to olive trees and haybales in Bayt Dajan. Israeli forces issued stop-work orders for 6 Palestinian homes in Umm Lafsa in the Masafer Yatta area. 10 Palestinians were arrested, including 7 during late-night raids in Biddu, Nablus, Bethlehem, and 3 at a checkpoint near Hebron. 5 rockets were fired at Israel from Gaza in response to the large-scale Israeli attack on Jenin on 7/3 and 7/4; all were intercepted. Israeli forces launched 2 airstrikes on Gaza City and Beit Lahiya, causing damage. (NYT 7/4; AJ, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/5; PCHR 7/6; UNOCHA 7/8; UNOCHA 7/29)

Palestinians at a funeral procession for some of those killed during the Israeli attack on Jenin refugee camp on 7/3 and 7/4 forced 3 PA officials to leave over the PA’s inaction in protecting Palestinians in the camp from the Israeli soldiers. Palestinians also threw stones at the PA governor of Jenin’s office. (AJ, MEE, WAFA 7/5; MEMO 7/6; MDW 7/7)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and UK foreign secretary James Cleverly spoke via phone, discussing the Israel attack on Jenin. (WAFA 7/5)

Israeli-Russian academic Elizabeth Tsurkov was reported to have been kidnapped, allegedly by Kata’ib Hezbollah in Baghdad in March. The Iraqi government said on 7/7 that it had opened an investigation into the kidnapping. (AJ, ALM, AP 7/5; REU 7/6; AP, HA, HA, MEE 7/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shot and injured 3 Palestinians near Surif; 10 settlers had been throwing stones at Palestinian vehicles before 1 of the settlers started shooting at Palestinians. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian stores and vehicles in the Old City of Hebron, causing damage. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian family near a checkpoint in Hebron. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with baton rounds. In East Jerusalem, Israel restricted Palestinian Christians’ access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the celebration of the Holy Fire. 4,000 worshippers were allowed to attend the event. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians during a raid in Qalandia refugee camp; 3 were arrested. In Gaza, Israel said 1 rocket launched from Gaza landed in an open area in southern Israel; no injuries or damage were reported. Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian shepherds east of Abasan; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen northwest of Gaza City; no injuries were reported. (HA 4/22; HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/23; +972 4/27; PCHR 4/28; UNOCHA 5/13)

Israel closed all crossings from the West Bank and Gaza to East Jerusalem and Israel for the Jewish holiday of Passover. (HA 4/21)

Israel announced that it had closed the Erez crossing between Israel and Gaza, citing rockets launched from Gaza at Israel. Israel did not say when the crossing would reopen. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, WAFA 4/23; HA, MEMO 4/24; HA 4/25)

UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini said in a message that the agency is exploring the option of engaging more agencies within the UN in the work of UNRWA to help alleviate UNRWA’s chronic underfunding. (UNRWA 4/23; WAFA 4/27; TOI 5/2)

Iranian media reported that Iranian and Saudi Arabian officials had met in Baghdad to resume talks to mend the 2 countries’ ties. Omani and Iraqi officials were also at the meeting. (HA 4/23; REU 4/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered a stop-work notice for renovations at a cemetery near Yatta. Israeli forces also seized 1 bulldozer in Bardala. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 at checkpoints in Jericho and Bethlehem, and 1 during a house raid in Hizma. In East Jerusalem, for the 6th night in a row, Palestinians protested the Israeli-imposed restrictions on the Old City during the month of Ramadan; Israeli police violently dispersed the protest with water cannons and stun grenades and 3 Palestinians were arrested. In Israel, Palestinian-Israelis protested the sale of a building in Jaffa to a Jewish religious organization, saying their community is being settled by Jewish-Israelis; 3 members of the Jewish organization were reportedly assaulted and clashes with police ensued. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Abasan and al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. (AP 4/18; HA, HA, TOI, TOI 4/19; HA 4/20; PCHR 4/22)

Gaza saw the highest COVID-19 death toll in a 24-hour period as 23 Palestinians died in Gaza of the virus. 761 people have died of COVID-19 in Gaza since the start of the pandemic. This occurred as Israel reopened society after vaccinating the majority of people within the Green Line while refusing to provide vaccinations to the people in its occupied territory. (HA, WAFA 4/18)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke, via video link, at the annual J Street conference, where he said that the PA is “ready to resume negotiations with our Israeli counterpart on the basis of international legitimacy, resolutions and signed agreements and under the auspices of the International Quartet.” He also said that moving away from a 2-state solution would lead to apartheid. President Abbas also commended the Biden administration for resuming aid and restoring bilateral relations. (HA 4/18)

Israel and Greece signed a defense procurement deal worth $1.65 billion. According to the deal, the Greek air force will get a training center operated by Elbit Systems, and Elbit will maintain the Greek air force fleet for 20 years. The deal was signed in Cyprus after a meeting between the foreign ministers of Israel, Greece, Cyprus, and the UAE. (AJ, HA, REU 4/18)

The Financial Times reported that Iranian and Saudi Arabian officials met in Baghdad on 4/9 to see if the 2 countries could move toward repairing relations. It was reported that no agreement was reached. (AJ, HA, REU 4/18; REU 4/19; AP 4/21)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces injured 2 Palestinians using rubber-coated bullets during clashes in Bayt Umar; 1 was hospitalized for his injures. Israeli forces demolished a water well in al-Zawiya and delivered demolition orders for 4 residential structures near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court ruled to evict 26 Palestinians from their family home in Silwan. It was the 2d ruling this week in which Palestinians were ordered evicted based on claims that their homes were built on land that was owned by Jews prior to 1948. In Gaza, for the 2d day in a row, Israeli forces struck targets in Gaza, causing damage, after alleging that incendiary balloons were launched at Israel. Israeli forces also shot and injured, with live ammunition, 1 Palestinian minor collecting recyclables east of Bayt Hanun. (HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/26; WAFA 1/27; HA, PCHR 1/30)

2 days before U.S. president Donald Trump was to unveil the U.S. peace plan, Israeli defense minister Naftali Bennet said, doing a speech at West Bank settlement, that “In no case, under no condition, will we allow for the establishment of a Palestinian state or recognition of such a state and we will not relinquish a single centimeter of the land of Israel to Arabs.” (HA 1/26)

In Iraq, 5 rockets were fired at the U.S. embassy compound in Baghdad. 1 hit a restaurant inside the compound, injuring 1. (HA 1/27)

In the West Bank, 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Nablus and Bayt Duqqu. During the raid in Bayt Duqqu, clashes erupted between Israeli forces and Palestinians; no injuries were reported. During the raid in Nablus, Israeli forces seized a vehicle and 2 computers. During a different late-night raid in Bayt Umar, Israeli forces seized 1 vehicle, 500 Jordanian Dinars ($700) and 3,500 NIS ($1,000). Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian vehicles traveling near the Homesh settlement, causing damage to 25 vehicles and injuries to Palestinians from shattered glass. Israeli settlers also attacked 2 Israeli police officers disguised as Palestinian technicians at the Bat Ayin settlement. The 2 settlers were arrested by the Israeli police officers. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 12/31; HA 1/1; PCHR 1/2)

In Baghdad, Iraqi protesters attacked the U.S. embassy after funerals were held for the 25 members of Kata’ib Hezbollah who were killed in U.S. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria on 12/29. Protesters managed to enter the embassy compound and ignited several fires. It was reported that the U.S. ambassador and staff were evacuated from the embassy before the protesters entered the compound. U.S. forces remained inside the embassy throughout the attack. According to an Associated Press reporter, a loudspeaker urged the protesters to leave, saying “the message was delivered.” U.S. president Donald Trump said in a tweet that Iran orchestrated the attack on the U.S. embassy in Iraq and that he holds Iran “fully responsible.” As the events were unfolding, U.S. secretary of defense Mark Esper said that the U.S. was deploying some 750 additional troops to the Middle East. (AJ, AJ, AP, CNN, Guardian, HA, HA, REU, WP 12/31; HA 1/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set a car on fire and wrote racist graffiti on walls in Taybeh, and 3 cars were vandalized with graffiti and slashed tires in Dayr ‘Ammar. Israeli settlers also vandalized 30 Palestinian-owned olive trees in al-Sawiya. Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians trying to enter Israel south of Tulkarm; 1 Palestinian was injured by live ammunition. Elsewhere, in al-‘Arub refugee camp, Israeli forces and Palestinians clashed at a checkpoint, leading to tear-gas related injuries. There was no mass organized protest in Gaza, as the organizing committee behind the Great March of Return called off the protest on 11/27. However, some 300 Palestinians still protested east of Khan Yunis; Israeli forces violently dispersed the protest and 1 minor was killed and 7 others injured by live ammunition. Later, 1 rocket was fired toward Israel, causing no damage or injuries, and Israel conducted several airstrikes in Gaza, causing damage but no injuries. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles from Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (AJ, HA, HA, PCHR, WAFA 11/29; HA 11/30; PCHR 12/5)

Iraq’s prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi resigned after days of protest in Baghdad, where Iraqi security forces have killed at least 40 protesters. (AJ 12/1)

In the West Bank, 22 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces using rubber-coated bullets against protesters during the weekly anti-settlement demonstrations in Kafr Qaddum. In Gaza, Israeli forces injured 97 Palestinians during the weekly Great March of Return protests; 49 of the injured were hit by live ammunition. (HA, WAFA 7/19)

Israel reportedly struck a base in Iraq 24 miles north of Baghdad using missiles fired from a F-35. It is the first time since 1981 that Israel has attacked positions in Iraq. (HA 7/31; WSJ 8/1)

A Palestinian sniper operating nr. the former Kissufim crossing on the c. Gaza border shoots and wounds 2 IDF soldiers inside Israel; no group claims responsibility. The IDF bulldozes a Palestinian barnyard nr. Hebron; tears down 6 residential tents in a different area nr. Hebron; demolishes a poultry farm nr. Ramallah. (PCHR, YA 5/23; OCHA 6/1; JPI 6/15)

At least 25 Senate Democrats (of 53 total) meet with reps. of 17 American Jewish groups in Washington for talks on Iran and other domestic issues. The senators challenge the Jewish leaders’ portrayal of Obama as weak on Iran, stating that more time is needed for strong sanctions to have deep impact. The off-the-record function is organized by the Democratic Steering and Outreach Comm. roughly every yr. to 18 mos. Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), who has been deeply involved in forming the current U.S. policy on Iran as chmn. of the Senate Foreign Relations Comm., says the Obama admin. is willing to take military action if necessary but is concerned about Israel acting alone, stating ‘‘If we must act, we should act together.’’ The meeting coincides with the opening of talks in Baghdad between the P5+1 and Iran aimed at drafting specific proposals and counterproposals for reaching (in EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton’s words) ‘‘a comprehensive negotiated solution which restores international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program.’’ (NYT, WP, WT 5/24; NYT 5/25; WJW 5/31)

Israeli naval vessels fire warning shots at Palestinian fishing boats off the c. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Tulkarm and 2 villages in Ramallah in the morning; in 1 village each nr. Jericho and Ramallah in the afternoon; and in Jericho and 1 village nr. Jenin late at night. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Jenin, Nablus, Salfit, Tulkarm, and 1 village each nr. Hebron and Qalqilya. Jewish settlers fr. Tekoa settlement nr. Bethlehem vandalize Palestinian homes in nearby Taqqua’ village; IDF troops observe but do not intervene. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that in the previous week: (1) Israeli authorities demolished a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem’s al-Tur neighborhood (marking the 1st residence demolished in East Jerusalem for 2 mos.) and ordered a Palestinian family to demolish an addition to their home; (2) the IDF removed a major roadblock on the main north–south road to Hebron, significantly reducing travel times between Hebron and 4 villages to the east; and (3) 2 Palestinians died and 4 (including a teenager) were injured in 4 smuggling tunnel accidents on the Rafah border. (PCHR 5/23; OCHA 5/25)

At the close of 2 days of talks in Tehran with Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, IAEA head Yukiya Amano announces that Iran has agreed in principle to provide the IAEA with access to Iran’s nuclear scientists and facilities, but it has not yet signed a formal statement to this effect. P5+1 nations (the 5 permanent UNSC members plus Germany) call the deal ‘‘a step in the right direction,’’ but say they will judge Iran by its actions. Israeli DM Ehud Barak comments: ‘‘It looks like the Iranians are trying to reach a technical agreement that will create a deception of progress in talks in order to reduce the pressure ahead of talks tomorrow in Baghdad and postpone harshening of sanctions.’’ (WP 5/23)

The IDF fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Nablus; conducts arrest raids nr. Nablus. On the last Friday of Ramadan, Muslims across the Middle East hold Jerusalem Day rallies in support of the Palestinian claim to Jerusalem. In Tehran, 10,000s of Iranians demonstrate; some 10,000 rally in Bahrain; 1,000s rally in Beirut; Iraqis in Baghdad, Najaf hold rallies for the 1st time in yrs., chanting “Sharon is God’s enemy! America is God’s enemy!” and “No to America!”; in the West Bank, Gaza 1,000s of Palestinians protest against the Geneva Accord. (HA 11/21; IRNA, VIRI 11/21 in WNC 11/25; NYT 11/22; PCHR 12/4)

The IDF undercover units conduct arrest raids in Jenin, shooting and wounding 5 Palestinians, detaining 4; conduct additional arrest raids in Aida r.c., Balata r.c., Bayt Jalah, Nahalin, Ramallah. The IDF also fires rubber bullets at several Palestinian children (ages 9–14) allegedly violating a curfew in Hebron, wounding 1; fires live ammunition at a checkpoint nr. Gaza City for no apparent reason, injuring 1 Palestinian child, damaging several vehicles; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Bayt Furik, threatens to demolish a 3d house if the son of the family does not turn himself in for questioning; bulldozes 10s of dunams of olive groves in East Jerusalem to make way for a settler bypass road. A roadside bomb explodes nr. an IDF vehicle in Hebron, causing no damage or injuries. Hamas fires 2 Qassam rockets at Sederot, lightly injuring 1 Israeli. (HA 4/21; HA 4/23; LAW, PCHR 4/24)

U.S. dir. of the reconstruction of Iraq U.S. Lt. Gen. Jay Garner (ret.) arrives in Baghdad to begin work. Garner visited Israel in 1998 at the expense of the pro-Israel lobbying group the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA), has signed a statement blaming the Palestinians for Israeli-Palestinian violence, has said that the U.S. needs Israel to project U.S. force in the Middle East. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/22)

Palestinians report that the IDF seems to have been imposing a system of “creeping curfews” over the past few days, placing 24-hr. curfews on an increasing number of areas, including Hebron, Jenin, Qalqilya, Yabad. The IDF raids a home in Dayr al-Balah, causing a Palestinian to suffer a fatal heart attack; fires on Palestinians violating the curfew in Qalqilya to buy food, injuring 2; conducts arrest raids nr. Rafah; demolishes a cement factory in Gaza City; bulldozes 15 dunams of olive groves nr. Shuhada Junction. (PM 3/22; PCHR 3/27; LAW 3/28)

U.S.-led forces in Iraq stage the largest bombing of Baghdad since the 1991 Gulf War; launch a ground assault on Nasiriyya, pushing north, meeting heavy resistance; continue efforts to secure Basra, Umm Qasr. (NYT, WP 3/23)

The IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian nr. Morag settlement; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Bethlehem, 1 in al-Zawayda; raids al-Quds Open University in Ramallah, detaining 300 students for ID checks, holding a number for questioning; conducts arrest raids in Nablus, Qalqilya (targeting Hamas). The PA Preventive Security Forces (PSF) raid a Hamas training exercise nr. Jabaliya r.c., killing 1 Hamas mbr. Hamas later fires a Qassam rocket at a Gaza settlement, causing no damage or injuries. (HA 3/20; NYT 3/23; PCHR 3/27; LAW 3/28)

After dark, U.S.-led coalition forces launch missile, helicopter strikes on Basra, Baghdad in the 1st sustained aerial assaults on Iraq. Coalition troops are also reportedly operating in w. Iraq to prevent Scud missile strikes on Israel. (AP, HA, MM, REU 3/20)

As the U.S.’s 48-hr. deadline for Hussein to leave Iraq draws near, Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, fearing Israel will step up attacks and impose stiff closures and curfews as soon as war on Iraq begins, close schools and businesses, hoard provisions, stay inside. Israel extends the closure on the territories (imposed 3/17 for Purim) until 3/30. The IDF demolishes a Palestinian home in Dayr al-Balah; conducts arrest raids in Jenin, al-Maghazi r.c., Qalqilya, Tulkarm. AMB gunmen ambush, fatally shoot a Jewish settler driving nr. Jenin. Israeli police arrest 3 Israeli Arabs fr. Acre on suspicion of joining Islamic Jihad, plotting attacks on Israelis. (AFP, JTA 3/19; HA, NYT, PCHR 3/20; PCHR 3/27; HA 4/3)

Abbas accepts Arafat’s nomination as PM, is given 3 wks. to form a government. (HA, MM 3/19; AYM, Interfax 3/19 in WNC 3/20; HA, NYT, WP 3/20; AYM 3/25, al-Quds 3/27 in WNC 3/28)

Just 90 mins. after the U.S. deadline passes for Hussein to leave Iraq, the U.S. makes a single strike on Baghdad, acting on intelligence of where Hussein, his top officials and sons could be found, assassinated. The strike marks the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, but not the start of the “shock and awe” air campaign that the U.S. previously indicated would launch the war. Iraqi TV airs 2 videos of Hussein that suggest he was unharmed. (MM 3/19; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/20; MM 4/21)

The IDF turns over control of Bethlehem, the main n.+ns. road in Gaza to the PA Preventive Security Force (PSF), lifts the curfew on Bethlehem, keeps troops on the outskirts of the city, poised to reinvade if the PA fails to maintain security control; 400 PA Preventive Security Force (PSF) officers take up posts around the city. The IDF fatally shoots a 14-yr.-old boy in Jenin for no apparent reason; blows up a building in Nablus that it claims to be a bomb-making factory; raids a PSF post nr. Ramallah, detaining 6 PSF officers; bulldozes 9 dunams (4 dunams = 1 acre) of agricultural land, 1 Palestinian home in Satar al-Gharbiyya; conducts arrest raids in Jenin r.c. (MM 8/19; MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/20; LAW, PCHR, WP 8/21; AKH 8/22 in WNC 8/23; PCHR 8/26)

Fatah Revolutionary Council (FRC) head Sabri al-Banna (Abu Nidal), who broke with the Fatah organization in the 1970s, is found dead in his Baghdad apartment. Iraqi officials say he committed suicide, but do not explain how he suffered multiple gunshot wounds. (HA 8/19; MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/20; NYT, WP, WT 8/21; DUS 8/21 in WNC 8/22; MA 8/29 in WNC 8/30; MM 9/20)

Limiting constitutional rights of illegal immigrants, the U.S. Supreme Court rules (6-3) that the government can deport a group of 8 Palestinians, 1 Kenyan simply because of their controversial political views in support of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. (WP, WT 2/25; MM 2/26; PR 3/5)

Israeli Trade Min. announces that it has allocated new lands to build moderate-, small-scale factories in several West Bank, Gaza settlements, including Keddumim, Efraim, Erez. (PR 3/5)

U.S. planes fire on 2 Iraqi missile sites s. of Baghdad, killing, injuring a number of civilians according to the Iraqi government. There have been nearly daily attacks on Iraq since the U.S. adopted (see 1/25) its policy of sustaining low-level strikes against security targets in effort to contain Saddam Hussein. (NYT, WP, WT 2/25) (see 2/11)

Arafat meets with Secy. Albright. In press conference afterward, he says that he cannot discuss the issue of declaring a Palestinian state. (MM, NYT, WT 2/4)

U.S. denounces Israeli media campaign begun 1/17 to portray Arafat as coddling "terrorists" by claiming that he released Palestinian prisoners who killed Americans. U.S. says Israel's claims are baseless; thinks media campaign is an attempt to detract fr. Arafat's visit to Washington and fr. the positive publicity Arafat earned during Clinton's 12/14 trip to Gaza. (al-Quds 2/3 in WNC 2/8; WJW, WP 2/4; MM 2/8; JP 2/12)

66 congressmen introduce legislation calling on Pres. Clinton to oppose recognition to any unilaterally declared Palestinian state. (MM 2/8)

Israeli pres. Ezer Weizman reduces the sentences of 8 Israelis convicted of killing or plotting to kill Palestinians, 5 Palestinians, 2 of whom were convicted of killing Palestinian collaborators. (MM, NYT, WP 2/4; al-Dustur 2/4 in WNC 2/8; WJW 2/11; JP 2/12)

Syrian delegation arrives in Russia for 11 days of talks on military-technical cooperation, acquisition of hardware. (Interfax 2/3 in WNC 2/4; al-Quds al-Arabi 2/3, Interfax, ITAR-TASS 2/5 in WNC 2/8; see also MM 1/26) (see 11/18)

UN says it will no longer allow Americans, Britons to work in its humanitarian program in Iraq because Baghdad refuses to ensure their safety. (NYT, WP, WT 2/4)

In Cairo, Israeli cabinet secy. Dani Nave, PA Local Government M Erakat discuss ways of resuming talks, make no headway. Israel refused to convene the talks until the PA denied reports by a Palestinian official, Israeli television that Israel had agreed to temporarily halt settlement construction in the West Bank, Gaza, and at Har Homa. After mtg., Arafat flies to Amman to discuss new initiatives with King Hussein. Follow-up mtg. is scheduled for 6/12 (WT 6/8; JTV 6/8 in WNC 6/10; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/9; JTV 6/9 in WNC 6/11; MM 6/10; MEI, PR 6/13; JP 6/21)

Low-level Jordanian ministerial delegation concludes 4-day visit to Washington for talks on the PA-Israeli talks. The delegation, headed by Dep. PM for Development Affairs Jawad al-Anani, met with National Security Adviser Samuel Berger, Secy. of State Albright, U.S. special envoy Ross. (JTV 6/8 in WNC 6/10)

UN Fifth Comm., which handles UN General Assembly (UNGA) budget matters, votes (58-2, with 52 abstentions) that Israel should reimburse the UN for $1.7 m. for expenses associated with the 1996 attack on its peacekeeping base in Qana, s. Lebanon (see 4/18/96). The U.S., Israel vote against. (WT 6/9; al-Riyad [Riyadh] 6/9 in WNC 6/18; al-Nahar 6/10, RL 6/11 in WNC 6/12; RL 6/11, VOL 6/12 in WNC 6/13; MEI 6/13)

Arafat appoints a team of officials, headed by his secy. Tayyib `Abd al-Rahim, to investigate the 5/24 GCO corruption report. (MEI 6/13)

In Baghdad, a Syrian Chamber of Commerce delegation signs $20 m. worth of commercial contracts with Iraq--the 1st since Syria, Iraq broke off relations in 1980s. A Lebanese business delegation is also in Baghdad to discuss holding an industrial exhibition there in 9/97. (MM 6/9; VOL 6/10 in WNC 6/11) (see 6/2)

King Hussein swears in fmr. information M, Marwan Mu`asher, as Jordanian amb. to the U.S. (JT 6/8 in WNC 6/10)

Survivors of the 1967 Israeli attack on the U.S.S. Liberty hold a memorial service at Arlington Cemetery. Liberty skipper Capt. William McGonagle calls on Israel, the U.S. to release details of the assault, which killed 34, wounded 171 Americans; says he believes the attack was a result of "gross incompetence and aggravated dereliction of duty on the part of many officers and men of . . . Israel." (WT 6/9)

ILMG blames Israel/SLA for the death of 1 Lebanese civilian, wounding of 2 others 6/4; blames unnamed Lebanese rebels for death of SLA mbr the same day; warns all parties to adhere to the 4/96 understanding. (Radio Free Lebanon 6/9 in WNC 6/13; al-Safir 6/10 in WNC 6/12)

In Paris, Israeli FM Levy discusses peace process with Pres. Chirac, FM Hervé de Charette. (France-Inter Radio Network [Paris], ITV 9/10 in WNC 9/12; MM 9/11)

In New York, Israeli PM Netanyahu meets with mbrs. of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, visits Lubavitcher Hasidic spiritual leader Rebbe Menachem Schneerson's grave. (ITV 9/10 in WNC 9/12; MM 9/11; MA 9/11 in WNC 9/13; WJW 9/12, 9/19)

In implementation of cabinet decision 8/2, IDF Central Commander Maj. Gen Uzi Dayan signs order setting procedures for authorization of settlement construction, expansion in the West Bank, Gaza. The order requires local planning comms. to obtain permission of DM Yitzhak Mordechai at every stage of most construction projects. Settlers term procedures needlessly cumbersome. (HA 9/11 in IL 9/11)

Israel's Prime Minster's Office announces new "Israel 2000" program intended to make development towns and regions economically self-sufficient. Program will be implemented in 19 communities. Residents will be given housing subsidies, loans, stipends; municipal boundaries of these locations will be expanded. (HA 9/11 in IL 9/11)

In Hebron, Jewish settlers break into 4 Palestinians stores, confiscate their goods, occupy them. The IDF sealed the stores in the city center after the al-Ibrahimi mosque massacre in 2/94. (PR 9/20)

South Africa says it will not renew existing defense, economic contracts with Israel; though relations remain good, South Africa is adjusting to a peacetime domestic economy. (IDF Radio 9/10 in WNC 9/12)

Jordanian officials release al-Ahali editor Usama al-Rantisi after he is charged with "publishing material deemed as instigating public disorder" during the 8/16-17 riots. The 4 al-Bilad journalists detained 8/20, 1 fr. al-Majd, another fr. al-Aswaq are still in custody awaiting trial. ASB Secy. Gen. Tayseer Homsi is arrested for alleged involvement in the riots. (MM 9/11; JT 9/11 in WNC 9/12)

Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood (JMB) denounces self-described "West Bank JMB official" Sa'id Bilal for requesting that the PA license, and thereby legalize, JMB activities in the self-rule areas; says Bilal is not a JMB mbr. Hamas concurs, claims attempts to form a JMB branch in the territories is an attempt by the PA to divide the Islamist opposition. (al-Ra'i 9/10 in WNC 9/12; VIRI 9/16 in WNC 9/18)

U.S. publicly redefines its strategic interest in Iraq for the 1st time in 5 yrs., saying it is interested solely in containing Saddam Hussein's military operations nr. the Kuwaiti, Saudi oil fields, rather than curbing his influence in n. Iraq and assuring humanitarian aid to the Kurds. (NYT, WP 9/11) (see 9/9)

Iraqi delegation arrives in Ankara for 2 days of talks with PM Erbakan, FM Ciller regarding bilateral relations, establishment of "security zone" in n. Iraq. Iraq proposes instead that Turkey conclude a border security arrangement with the KDP to prevent PKK mbrs. fr. crossing into Turkey. (MM 9/10; INA [Baghdad], TDN 9/11 in WNC 9/13; Milliyet [Istanbul] 9/12 in WNC 9/17 MEI 9/20) (see 9/6)

Britain's MI6 says Iraq's Deputy PM Tariq Aziz met secretly with an Israeli delegation headed by Housing M Binyamin Ben Eliezer in Rabat 1 mo. ago to try to draw up a peace treaty. Israeli FMin. denies the report. (Sunday Times 9/18 in WT 9/19, FBIS 9/21; CSM 9/19; WT 9/21; WJW 9/22; MEI 9/23)

Israeli police extend ban on Kach, Kahane Chai for 6 mos. (QY 9/18 in FBIS 9/19)

Palestinian Amb. to Iraq `Azzam al-Ahmad says PLO has stopped VOP transmissions fr. Baghdad, Sana`a', Algiers; will now rely solely on VOP Jericho. (Al-Dustur 9/18 in FBIS 9/20)

IDF kills 1 Palestinian, wounds 1 when car fails to stop for roadblock nr. Ramallah. In separate incident, 1 IDF soldier wounded in knifing by Palestinian nr. Tel Aviv. (WT 9/19)

Hamas issues leaflet denying association with men who shot a Palestinian policeman 9/17, blame PSF men who were also at the scene. Arafat calls in PSF's Gaza head Muhammad Dahlan to explain. (MM 9/19; QY 9/19 in FBIS 9/19; MEI 9/23)

PLO Chmn. Arafat, in Washington, breakfasts with 20 U.S. senators, appeals for U.S. loan guarantees for Palestinian entity and end to legislation restricting PLO activities in U.S. He then speaks to National Press Club luncheon and travels to New York for 1st visit to UN since 1974. (NYT 9/15)

Jordanian Amb. to U.S. Fayez Tarawneh and Israeli negotiator Eliakim Rubinstein, in Washington, sign "common agenda" for further negotiations. (NYT 9/15)

Israeli PM Rabin, returning fr. U.S., stops in Morocco for surprise meeting with King Hassan II. After 2 hours of talks, Rabin calls visit "a step toward diplomatic relations"; Hasan, head of ICO's Jerusalem Comm., calls PLO-Israel agreement "astep toward abetter future." (MM 9/14; NYT, WP 9/15)

PLO Pol. Dept. head Faruq Qaddumi holds talks in Baghdad with Iraqi Dep. PM Tariq 'Aziz, other Iraqi officials. Meanwhile, PFLP chief Habash meets in Damascus with Syrian VP Khaddam, who promisesupport for Palestinian "national righto a state with Jerusalem asits capital." (MM 9/15)

PFLP-GC, "unified leadership" of PFLP and DFLP, ALF all issue statements rejecting DoP. (QPAR, SANA, INA 9/14 in FBIS 9/14)

Baha al-Din al-Najr, 19, presumed Hamas activist, dies in suicide bomb attack on Gaza City police station. Also in Gaza, Ismail Sheber, 21, attempts to stab IDF soldier and is shot dead. Closure imposed on Gaza Strip by IDF 9/15-19. (IDF Radio 9/14 in FBIS 9/14; NYT, WP 9/15)

In Beirut, 15,000 (Hizballah claims 150,000) attend funeral of 8 Hizballah mbrs. killed 9/13 by Lebanese soldiers during demonstration against PLO-Israel accord. Hizballah leader Shaykh Hasan Nasrallah calls for resignation ofPM Rafiq Hariri's govt. over incident. (MM 9/14; NYT 9/15)

Pres. Gorbachev presents F.M. Aziz another formula for Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait; details of proposal not announced. Aziz heads back to Baghdad via Iran. Bush admin. indicates there is nothing in Soviet proposal that would delay or halt planned ground attack (cf. 2/19) [MEM 2/18; NYT, LAT, WP, WT, CSM 2/19].

Allies continue "battlefield preparation" for ground war with more than 2,400 sorties flown; F-16 Falcon crashes in combat, pilot is recovered; it is 21st U.S. plane lost in combat, 9 additional allied crafts have been lost [NYT, LAT 2/19].

Border skirmishes continue between U.S. forces and Iraqi troops; no casualties are reported; to date 14 Americans have been killed in combat, 10 by friendly fire [NYT, LAT, WT 2/19].

Hearing is held in Gaza military court for Palestinian journalist Taher Shriteh, in jail for 3 weeks without formal charge; court extends detention for 2 more weeks (cf. 2/19) [NYT, LAT, WT, MEM 2/19].

Lebanese Pres. Elias Hrawi says he plans to press Israel to withdraw from "security zone" in S. Lebanon; Israeli spokesman says Israel will not comply [NYT 2/19].

Red Cross president says blanket curfew in effect in o.t. since 1/17 has created serious problems for Palestinians; adds that Red Cross is in contact with Israeli authorities to try to alleviate harsh conditions [JTE 2/18 in FBIS 2/191.

Iraq vows "severe revenge" for 2/13 bombing of what Baghdad calls residential shelter; places death toll at about 400; demonstrators throw red paint on abandoned U.S. embassy in Baghdad; "outrage" over bombing is reported in Jordan, other Arab nations that back Saddam [AVP, APS 2/14, DUS 2/15 in FBIS 2/15; MEM 2/14; LAT, NYT, WP, WT 2/15].

U.S. reports significant gains in destroying Iraqi tanks and combat vehicles, saying more than 1,300 tanks have been destroyed; carrier USS America moves into Gulf in preparation for possible Marine amphibious landing [LAT, NYT, WP, WT 2/15].

UN Sec. Council, holding formal session behind closed doors for 1st time in 15 years, begins major debate over scope of Gulf war [WP, LAT 2/15].

Marking 9th anniversary of Israeli annexation of Golan Heights, hundreds of Syrians come to Ain Tine and shout with bullhorns greetings and words of encouragement to friends and family in Majdal Shams, now controlled by Israel [NYT 2/15].

In 1st collective statement of Gulf war since hostilities began, leaders of more than 20 major Protestant and Orthodox Christian denominations, join with 15 Roman Catholic bishops, and many other denominations in reaffirming opposition to war and calling for cease-fire. Statement from 32 denominations is made public by National Council of Churches [MEM 2/14; NYT 2/15].

Soviet press is becoming increasingly critical of Gulf war, following Pres. Gorbachev's recent statements that war may be exceeding UN resolutions [NYT 2/15].

Cuba and Yemen circulate new peace plan at UN Sec. Council closed-door meeting calling for halt to allied bombing and UN commission to study possible solutions to crisis [NYT 2/15].

Curfew is lifted in Gaza; 14 Palestinians are wounded in clashes with IDF troops, who fire live ammunition and tear gas into crowds [HAD 2/15 in FBIS 2/15].

Two-day tripartite meeting of foreign ministers of Egypt, Syria and Saudi Arabia begins in Cairo; this is 3d meeting since Gulf crisis began [MENA, RMC 12/3 in FBIS 12/4; MET 12/11].

Greater Beirut officially comes under control of Lebanese Army after Lebanese Forces militia vacate positions [MEM 12/3; NYT, WT, WP, CSM 12/4; BDS, BVL, RFL 12/3 in FBIS 12/4; MET 12/11].

Def. Sec. Cheney tells Senate Armed Services Committee that military action rather than economic sanctions is only sure way of forcing Iraq out of Kuwait [NYT, WT, WP, MEM 12/4; CSM 12/5].

Soviet television reports that 1,000 of the 3,000 Soviet citizens still held in Iraq will be allowed to return to USSR within next 3 weeks [NYT, WT, WP 12/4].

In separate statements before English-speaking or American audiences, Israeli D.M. Moshe Arens, Housing Min. Ariel Sharon, Deputy F.M. Benjamin Netanyahu, and several MKs offer sharp warnings that Iraq should not be left with its army and weapons intact after Gulf crisis [NYT 12/4; WP 12/6]; Sharon compares Sec. Baker's proposed Baghdad trip to Neville Chamberlain in World War II [JDS 12/3 in FBIS 12/4].

Israeli military court sentences to 30 years each of 12 Arabs apprehended in PLF's May 1990 attempted attack on Tel Aviv beach [IDF 12/3 in FBIS 12/5; LAT 12/4; MEM 12/4; MET 12/11].

Quoting B'Tselem data, HaAretz reports that Palestinians are prohibited from building on 68% of West Bank's 5.5 million dunums [HAA 12/3 in FBIS 12/5].

Israeli air force and navy confront "fishing vessel that appeared suspicious" off coast of Gaza; force it ashore and shoot dead 1 crew member who tries to flee; five others are detained [JDS 12/4 in FBIS 12/4; MEM 12/4].

At least 10 "anti-Israeli combatants" are killed in 2 incidents of fighting with IDF, SLA troops in S. Lebanon [IDF, AFP 12/3 in FBIS 12/4].