The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces attacked Palestinian farmers in Kisan and set fire to crops in Qaryut. Israeli settlers stole an olive harvest in Khirbet Yanun. Israeli forces continued their large-scale raid of Jenin, fatally shooting 4 people, including 2 children aged 8 and 15, and Mohammad Zubeidi, the son of prominent Islamic Jihad member Zakaria Zubeidi. Israeli airstrikes in the city destroyed a home and a vehicle while Israeli bulldozers tore up pavements, electric poles, and water and sewage pipes. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians near the Ofer Prison, injuring 1 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinians trying to retrieve their belongings in Tal al-Hawa and at a fishing boat off the coast of Dayr al-Balah. Doctors returning to al-Nasr Hospital in Gaza City said they found 5 partially decomposed bodies of premature babies after Israeli forces had retreated from the hospital. In the Red Sea, the U.S. said it shot down a drone that was launched from Yemen. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/29)

The Gaza Media Office did not update the casualty numbers, leaving the death toll from Israeli attacks at 15,000 as of 11/27, including 6,150 children and 4,000 women, and around 35,000 injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 238 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 63 children. More than 3,200 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. 75 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.8 million Palestinians, nearly 80% 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 11/18, at least 45,000 housing units had been destroyed and 233,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. Al-Shifa Hospital said it would be able to reopen its emergency department on 11/30. Al-Ahli Arab Hospital and As Sahaba Hospital in Gaza City received 2,600 gallons of fuel, enabling them to run their generators for 7 days. The Red Crescent said it had delivered 21 truckloads of aid to northern Gaza. 10 wounded Palestinians were evacuated to Egypt while 74 Palestinians were able to return to Gaza. (AJ 11/28; AJ, HA, UNOCHA 11/29)

30 Palestinian prisoners, 15 children and 15 women, including prominent activist Ahed Tamimi who was arrested on 11/6, were released from Israeli prisons on the sixth day of the temporary ceasefire. 16 captives were released from Gaza to Israel, including 4 Thai nationals, 1 American Israeli, and 2 Russian Israelis. Hamas said it was working very hard to extend the ceasefire, which ends on 11/30. U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken, who is scheduled to visit the Middle East this week, said the U.S. would like to see the ceasefire extended and that the topic of the future government of Gaza should be discussed. Hamas released a statement saying an Israeli airstrike had killed 3 members of the same Israeli family, including 2 children. They did not say when the airstrike occurred. Israel said it believed that 159 captives were still being held in Gaza. Russian ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov said the release of the 2 Israelis with Russian citizenship was done in direct coordination with Hamas. (REU 11/28; AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA 11/29; AP, NYT, REU, WAFA 11/30)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas called for an international conference to end the Israeli occupation. (HA 11/29)

Israeli Foreign Ministry deputy director general for strategic affairs Joshua Zarka said Israel “will settle accounts with Qatar” after the captives are returned to Gaza, saying “Qatar played a bad role in everything related to hosting and legitimizing Hamas’ activities.” (AJ, HA 11/29)

A delegation of foreign ministers from Arab and Islamic countries, including the PA, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar Indonesia, and Nigeria met with the Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres at the UN headquarters in New York, discussing the situation in Gaza. (WAFA, WAFA 11/29)

The UN Security Council met to discuss the situation in Gaza. PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki told the council that the temporary ceasefire must become permanent to end the slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza, saying “this is not a war.” U.S. ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the U.S. was deeply troubled by the sharp rise in Israeli settler attacks in the West Bank and said the U.S. supports a longer ceasefire. (AJ, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/29)

U.S. officials told Reuters that the Biden administration had asked Israel to narrow the zone of combat and tell Palestinians where to seek shelter from their attacks. (REU 11/29)

U.S. senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) said he spoke to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who told him that the White House will not seek to place conditions on U.S. aid to Israel, despite earlier comments to the contrary. Sullivan met with dozens of senators on 11/28, discussing a $14.3 billion military aid package to Israel. Van Hollen and senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Jack Reed (D-RI) issued a statement expressing concern that the White House told them that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to start invading the southern Gaza after the ceasefire. (HA, NYT 11/29; AP 11/30)

UN office in Geneva director-general Tatiana Valovaya said “it is long past time to move in a determined, irreversible way towards a two-state solution, on the basis of the United Nation resolutions and international law,” during a speech on the occasion of the UN Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. (AJ, HA, REU, WAFA 11/29)

The French foreign ministry said the country was open to EU talks on sanctioning Israeli settlers who commit acts of violence against Palestinians. (REU 11/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 12 olive trees in Salfit and vandalized Palestinian property in al-Twana in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces shot and killed 3 Palestinians, including a 12-year-old during raids in Balata refugee camp, Beita, and Burqa. Israeli forces also shot and injured 5 people during raids in Balata refugee camp, Habla, and Burqa. Israeli forces also issued stop work orders for 8 homes in al-Khader. 76 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around ‘Azzun, al-Arroub refugee camp, Nablus, Balata refugee camp, Jenin, Tubas, Bethlehem, Aroura, and Abu Dis. 3,130 Palestinians have been arrested in the West Bank since 10/7. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot, injured, and arrested a Palestinian child in Jabel Mukaber. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed around 270 Palestinians, including 30 in an airstrike on an UNRWA school in Jabalia refugee camp, 15 in Khan Yunis, 14 in Rafah, 10 in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City, and 5 in Nuseirat refugee camp. Israel also bombed the Zeitoun neighborhood, Bani Suhaila, al-Daraj, and al-Tufah. Israel said it had assassinated Hamas naval commander Omar Abu Jallah. Israeli forces also attacked the Indonesian Hospital’s main gate, power generators, and administrative office. Elsewhere, Israeli forces arrested al-Shifa Hospital director Mohammad Abu Salmiya and other medical staff. After the arrest, the Gaza Ministry of Health suspended coordination with the WHO. 4 wounded Palestinians died during an evacuation from the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital to Khan Yunis. Israel said it attacked 300 sites in Gaza during the day. Rockets were fired from Gaza at Israel; no injuries were reported. In Lebanon, Israeli forces attacked several sites, saying they had been used to fire 35 rockets toward Israel, causing damage to 2 homes. In the Red Sea, the U.S. said it shot down drones launched from Yemen. (HA 11/22; 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 11/23; UNOCHA 11/24; AJ 11/25; AJ 11/25)

The Gaza Media Office reported that 14,800 Palestinian have been killed, including 6,000 children and 4,000 women, and around 35,000 have injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 220 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 54 children. More than 2,885 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. 75 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.7 million Palestinians, more than 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 11/18, at least 45,000 housing units had been destroyed and 233,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. 18,000 gallons of fuel and 80 truckloads of aid entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. 433 foreign nationals and 17 wounded Palestinians were evacuated to Egypt. Less than 500 people fled northern Gaza to the south; UNOCHA noted that there were more people arrested by Israeli forces while crossing than in previous days. (AJ, HA, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 11/23)

Qatar announced that the ceasefire will begin at 7 a.m. on 11/24 with 13 captives being released to Israel at 4 p.m. The ceasefire was reportedly delayed due to a disagreement over the list of captives that would be released. The Israeli High Court of Justice rejected 2 petitions against the prisoner exchange, saying the court did not have justification to intervene in the ceasefire deal. Israel said Palestinians will not be allowed to return to the north of Gaza during the ceasefire. Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant said he expected the Israeli attacks on Gaza to continue for 2 months after the ceasefire period is over. Egypt said 35,000 gallons of diesel, 4 trucks of gas, and 200 trucks carrying aid would enter Gaza daily from 11/24 during the ceasefire.  (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AX, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT 11/23; HA, HA 11/24)

Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported that an Iranian brokered deal would see 23 Thai captives released by Hamas without conditions. (HA 11/23)

Displaced Palestinians returning to the homes they fled from in al-Qanoub near Sa’ir said Israeli settlers had demolished and stolen all their belongings, including 5 homes, tents, and solar panels. The settlers had threatened the Palestinians with displacement or death. (WAFA 11/23)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with the Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez and Belgian prime minister Alexander de Croo in Ramallah, discussing the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. (WAFA 11/23)

A delegation of foreign ministers from Arab and Islamic countries, including the PA, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, and Nigeria met with French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris, discussing the situation in Gaza. The delegation had met with leaders in the UK, Russia, and China in the past week. (WAFA 11/23)

Israeli Channel 12 reported that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had instructed police not to deal with Israeli settler violence against Palestinians. Ben-Gvir also instructed prison authorities to use “an iron fist” in repressing celebrations of prisoner releases. (AJ 11/23)

Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah met with Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Lebanon. (AJ 11/23; HA 11/24)

Spanish foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares said before a meeting in Israel between Prime Minister Sanchez and Israeli president Isaac Herzog and prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Spain wants to recognize a Palestinian state in the “very short term,” adding the existence of a Palestinian state is the “best guarantee for peace in the Middle East.” During the meeting with Netanyahu, Sanchez proposed an international conference to settle the overall conflict. UK prime minister David Cameron also met with Netanyahu. (AJ, HA, REU 11/23)

Israeli communications minister Shlomo Karhi submitted a proposal to the Israeli cabinet that would end the publication of government notices in Haaretz and halt all government payments to the newspaper, including by canceling all state employees’ subscriptions. (AJ, HA 11/23)

German police raided 15 properties it claimed were linked to Hamas and Samidoun. (AJ, AP 11/23)

The UN said its member states had raised $218 million in funding for its flash appeal for Gaza, constituting 18% of the 1.2 billion requested. (UNOCHA 11/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Tulkarm refugee camp, killing 6 Palestinians and injuring 3 in a drone strike, uprooted streets, and put 2 hospitals under siege. Israeli forces also shot and killed 2 Palestinians, including a child, during raids in ‘Azzun and Burin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured a Palestinian in Beitunia. Israeli forces also notified a Palestinian landowner that it will seize 2.5 dunams (.62 acres) of his land in Beit Dajan to construct a settler road. Meanwhile, Israeli forces demolished 6 residential structures and 1 agricultural structure in Shaab al-Butum in the Masafer Yatta area, displacing 20 people. 38 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bethlehem, Ramallah, Qalqilya, and Tubas. In Gaza, Israeli forces attacked Khan Yunis, Gaza City, Nuseirat refugee camp, Jabalia refugee camp, and the Indonesian and Kamal Adwan hospitals, killing at least 80 people. The number of fatalities was likely much higher given the lack of communication with hospitals and civil defense members in northern Gaza. 3 premature babies died at the Kamal Adwan Hospital due to the incubators failing as a result of a lack of fuel. The administration at the Indonesian Hospital said it had been ordered by Israel to evacuate the hospital. 14 ambulances arrived at al-Shifa Hospital to start evacuating the 250 remaining patients. The Red Crescent said 3 paramedics and a companion of a wounded Palestinian were detained by Israeli forces, with 1 of the paramedics being arrested, and that Israel obstructed the evacuation efforts. 190 patients were evacuated from the hospital over a 20-hour period. 2 Israeli soldiers were killed. Rockets were fired from Gaza at Israel; no injuries were reported. In Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes killed 5 people in Beit Yahoun, including the son of Hezbollah MP Mohammed Raad. In Syria, Israeli forces fired 2 missiles at Damascus, causing damage. In the Red Sea, Israel said it intercepted a cruise missile fired from Yemen. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/22; AJ, HA, UNOCHA 11/23; HA 11/24)

The Gaza Media Office reported that 14,532 Palestinian have been killed, including 6,000 children and 4,000 women, and around 35,000 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 217 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 53 children. More than 2,885 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. 75 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.7 million Palestinians, more than 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 11/18, at least 45,000 housing units had been destroyed and 233,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. 111 Palestinians were buried in a mass grave in Khan Yunis. The bodies were initially seized by Israel at al-Shifa Hospital and in Beit Hanun and handed over to Palestinian authorities prior to arriving in Khan Yunis in a shipping container. About 250 people fled northern Gaza to the south. Around 18,000 gallons of fuel and 80 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. 433 foreign nationals and 17 wounded people were evacuated to Egypt. (AJ, HA, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 11/22; NYT 11/23)

UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator Martin Griffiths called the humanitarian crisis in Gaza the “worst ever,” adding “I do not say that lightly. I started off in my twenties dealing with the Khmer Rouge and the Killing Fields.” (HA 11/22)

Israel and Hamas agreed to the terms of a 4-day ceasefire that would see 50 women and children held in Gaza released in exchange for 150 Palestinian women and children being released from Israeli prisons. The start of the ceasefire would be announced within 24 hours, awaiting the Israeli High Court of Justice’s consideration of Israeli public appeals against the deal. The ceasefire could be extended for one additional day for every 10 additional captives released from Gaza. There are about 240 captives held by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Israel agreed to stop military movement and allow people to travel from the north of Gaza to the south on Salah al-Din road, but said it would not allow movement to the north. 300 trucks carrying aid, including fuel, would be allowed into Gaza every day. Furthermore, Hamas said Israel had agreed to stop drone flights over southern Gaza during the period of the ceasefire and not fly over northern Gaza for 6 hours a day and that Israel could not attack or arrest anyone during the 4-day period. Israel published a list of 300 Palestinian prisoners, including 123 children, that it deemed eligible for release. Most of the prisoners on the list were arrested in the past 2 years for minor offenses. Islamic Jihad said the Israeli soldiers it is holding captive will not be released until all its members are released from Israeli prisons. PA president Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the agreement and thanked Qatar and Egypt for their mediation efforts. The Israeli cabinet approved deal in the early hours of the day after a 6-hour meeting. 3 ministers from the Otzma Yehudit party voted against it while 35 ministers voted in favor. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would resume its attacks on Gaza after the ceasefire.  (HA, NYT, NYT 11/21; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA 11/22)

Hamas deputy political leader Khalil al-Hayya and Hamas representative in Lebanon Osama Hamdan met with Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon, discussing the ceasefire. It was reported that Hezbollah would enter the ceasefire if Israel did not attack Lebanon during the 4-day period. (HA 11/22)

The PA cabinet held an emergency session on the situation in Gaza and the PA’s financial situation given the Israeli decision to withhold more funds from the PA tax revenue and the PA’s refusal to accept the reduced sums. The cabinet decided to allow each ministry to find ways to reduce their expenses and indicated that civil servants will not be paid their salaries or will receive reduced salaries due to the financial crisis. President Abbas discussed the situation in Gaza and the West Bank with Finnish president Sauli Niinistö. (WAFA, WAFA 11/22)

A delegation of foreign ministers from Arab and Islamic countries, including the PA, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, and Nigeria met with UK foreign secretary David Cameron in London, discussing the situation in Gaza. (WAFA 11/22)

Mossad director David Barnea arrived in Doha to discuss the final details of the prisoner exchange with Qatari officials. (AX, HA 11/22)

Israel claimed to have found a 525-foot-long tunnels underneath al-Shifa Hospital, saying it was used by Hamas. Videos of the tunnels released by Israel showed the tunnels were completely empty, aside from an air-conditioning unit. Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak said earlier this week that Israel constructed tunnels under al-Shifa in the 1980s. Prime Minister Netanyahu said he had instructed the Mossad to attack Hamas leaders outside of the occupied territories. (AJ, NYT 11/22; HA 11/23)

U.S. president Joe Biden released a statement welcoming the temporary ceasefire, thanking the leaders of Qatar and Egypt. Biden told President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi that the U.S. opposes forced deportation of Palestinians in Gaza to Egypt and the redrawing of the Gaza borders. Biden also spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu, emphasizing the “importance of maintaining calm along the Lebanese border as well as in the West Bank,” according to the U.S. readout of their conversation. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. It was reported that the U.S. was using the ceasefire to push Israel to set up safe areas in Gaza and allow more aid and fuel into Gaza. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU 11/22)

Politico reported that the Biden administration was worried that an unintended consequence of the ceasefire would be journalists being able to “illuminate the devastation” in Gaza since they would have more access. (AJ 11/22)

Palestinians who met Pope Francis at the Vatican said he described the situation in Gaza as genocide. A Vatican spokesperson later said that he was not aware that the pope used the word. Pope Francis also met with Israeli relatives of people held captive in Gaza by Hamas. (AJ, HA, WAFA 11/22)

The Yemeni naval commander spoke to the crew members of the cargo ship Galaxy Leader the navy had captured on 11/19, assuring them that they would be treated as guests. (HA 11/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Yamun and damaged their vehicle. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles in Awarta, causing damage. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set fire to a school in Zanuta, causing extensive damage. Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian during a raid in Balata refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and injured 6 Palestinians, including a child, during raids in ad-Doha, ‘Asira al-Qibliya, Jenin, and Balata refugee camp. 45 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Ramallah, Jericho, Nablus, Bethlehem, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian-owned home in Isawiya, displacing 6, and a structure in Silwan. In Gaza, the Israeli military said it had encircled Jabalia refugee camp. Israeli soldiers continued their sieges of the Indonesian and al-Shifa hospitals; around 500 patients and staff were evacuated from the Indonesian Hospital to a hospital in Khan Yunis later in the day. At least 120 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Nuseirat refugee camp, Gaza City, Jabalia refugee camp, Beit Lahiya al-Bureij, and Khan Yunis. Israel also attacked al-Awda Hospital, killing 3 doctors and a patient. The number of fatalities was likely much higher since the Gaza Ministry of Health was unable to communicate with hospitals and civil defense members in northern Gaza. 2 Israeli soldiers were killed. 10 rockets were fired at Israel with 1 hitting Ness Ziona; no injuries were reported. In Lebanon, Israeli forces attacked several areas of South Lebanon, saying anti-tank missiles were fired by Hezbollah at Israel. 4 people, including an elderly woman and 2 journalists working for Al-Mayadeen television network, were killed in Israeli attacks in Kfar Kila and Tair Harfa. 4 Hamas members were killed in a drone strike on Chaatiyeh, reportedly including deputy chief of the Qassem Brigades in Lebanon Khalil Kharraz. Hezbollah later said it attacked Israeli tanks and soldiers, a military base in Beit Hilal, and a missile factory in Shlomi. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU, 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 11/21)

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, leaving the casualty numbers at around 13,000 Palestinians killed, including 5,500 children and 3,500 women, and around 32,000 injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 3,250 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 209 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 52 children. More than 2,885 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. 73 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 had been destroyed and 220,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 45% of all housing units. 2 trucks carrying 17,000 gallons of fuel and 79 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. UNRWA said 108 members of its staff have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. (AJ, AP, HA, UNOCHA 11/21)

Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha was released after being arrested on 11/18 by Israeli forces in Gaza. Abu Toha was reportedly beaten while detained. (AJ, HA, NYT 11/21)

The Ministry of National Economy in the Nablus governorate said Israel had only allowed 45 Palestinian businesses to operate in Huwwara since 10/7, forcing 255 business to close. (AJ 11/21)

Jordan said Israel had ordered the evacuation of its field hospital in Gaza, saying it would not heed the order. (AJ, HA 11/21)

Hamas said it had agreed to the terms of the first prisoner exchange and temporary ceasefire. Islamic Jihad said it was coordinating with Hamas on the prisoner exchange deal. The Israeli war, security, and government cabinets convened in separate meetings in the evening to discuss the deal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the deal was likely to happen, despite opposition from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and that Israel would continue its war on Gaza after the temporary ceasefire. The meeting of the government cabinet was still ongoing at the end of the day. It was reported by Haaretz that the Israeli public would have 24 hours to appeal to the Israeli High Court of Justice if the government decides to approve the deal. Islamic Jihad said an Israeli captive it had tried to release earlier for humanitarian reasons had died. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU 11/21; AJ, HA 11/22)

Jordanian prime minister Bisher Khasawneh said “[a]ny displacement [of Palestinians in the West Bank] or creating the conditions that would lead to it, Jordan will consider it a declaration of war and constitute a material breach of the peace treaty.” (AJ, HA, REU 11/21)

Lebanese caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati condemned the Israeli killing of 2 Lebanese journalists, saying Israel’s “goal is to silence the media that exposes its crimes and attacks.” (AJ, AP 11/21)

U.S. national security council spokesperson John Kirby said the U.S. would not support Israeli military action in southern Gaza unless it “clearly articulated [a] plan for how they are going to protect the lives of the hundreds of thousands of people that have now added to the population because they were asked to leave by the Israelis.” Kirby also said that the Biden administration was considering redesignating the Yemeni Houthi government a terrorist organization, citing its attacks on Israel and the seizure of an alleged Israeli-linked vessel on 11/19. Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said the U.S. continued to supply Israel with “155 mm rounds, precision-guided munitions, and air defense systems.” Politico reported that the U.S. had sent Israel the coordinates for humanitarian sites, including hospitals, and gave Israel information about the movement of aid groups to avoid Israeli attacks on protected groups. However, Israel reportedly continued attacking those sites. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU 11/21; AJ 11/22)

A survey by the organization Arab World for Research and Development found that 98% of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza said they could not “forgive nor forget” Israel’s attacks on Gaza, with 65% saying the attacks were targeting all Palestinians. 75% said they supported Operation Al-Aqsa Flood to some extent. 22% said they expected the PA to return to power in Gaza. (AJ 11/21)

The European Commission said its review of its aid to Palestine did not find evidence that funds were used for Hamas. (AJ, HA, REU 11/21)

Representatives from the OIC and Arab League and the foreign ministers of the PA, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Jordan met with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow. Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry said Israel’s goal with bombing southern Gaza was to force Palestinians to flee Gaza. (AJ, HA, WAFA 11/21)

Leaders of the BRICS countries met virtually to discuss the situation in Gaza, demanding a ceasefire and condemning attacks on civilians in Gaza and Israel. Representatives of Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE, all countries that will join BRICS in 2024, also attended the meeting. Saudi crown prince Mohammad bin Salman called for a global ban on exports of arms to Israel. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, REU 11/21)

The South African parliament voted 248-91 to close the Israeli embassy and suspend ties with Israel. The motion was non-binding, leaving President Cyril Ramaphosa to implement it. (AJ, AJ, HA, WAFA 11/21)

The Scottish parliament voted 90-28 in favor of a ceasefire. All parties except for the Scottish Conservatives supported the motion. (AJ 11/21)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian succumbed to injuries sustained from Israeli forces on 11/9 in Jenin refugee camp. Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinian herders and stole some of their sheep in Tuqu’. Israeli settlers also raided Kisan, stealing solar panels and a generator. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers raided Shaab al-Butum in the Masafer Yatta area, demolishing a residential structure and vandalizing solar panels, water tanks, and 70 olive tree saplings. Israeli settlers also attacked 2 Palestinians and 2 foreign journalists during a raid in Manizil and al-Rakiz in the Masafer Yatta, causing bruises. Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man during a raid near al-Arroub refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and injured a Palestinian during a raid in Arrabah. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished a 4-story building under construction in al-Za’im. Nearly 50 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Deir al-Ghusun, Ramallah, Deir Ibzi, Bethlehem, and Qaryut. In Gaza, Israeli forces sealed off the Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahiya; Israeli shelling of the hospital killed 12 people. 100 patients were later evacuated from the hospital. The Israeli seige of al-Shifa Hospital continued for the fifth day. Israeli forces also attacked a Doctors Without Borders clinic in Gaza City, destroying 4 of its vehicles that were clearly marked with the organization’s logo. Israeli airstrikes targeted Nuseirat refugee camp, killing 20, Rafah killing 15, and Khan Yunis killing a family of 5. The number of fatalities was likely much higher since the Gaza Ministry of Health was unable to communicate with hospitals and civil defense members in northern Gaza. The Israeli military said it attacked 250 sites in Gaza. 2 Israeli soldiers were killed. In Tayibe, Israeli police arrested a 14-year-old Palestinian citizen of Israel for allegedly posting support for Hamas on social media. In Lebanon, Israel attacked several areas, including the home of Amal party official Kabalan Kabalan; no injuries were reported. Israel said Hezbollah launched 25 rockets and 3 drones at Israel, hitting military sites; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, CNN, HA, HA, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/20; AJ, HA, HA 11/21)

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, leaving the casualty numbers at around 13,000 Palestinians killed, including 5,500 children and 3,500 women, and around 32,000 injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 3,250 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 208 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 52 children. More than 2,885 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. 71 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 had been destroyed and 220,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 45% of all housing units. Some 25,000 people fled northern Gaza to the south. The UN said that since shelters are completely full newly arrived displaced people were sleeping on the streets. 51 aid trucks entered Gaza, including trucks carrying material to build 2 field hospitals run by the UAE and Jordan. 2 trucks carrying 17,000 gallons of fuel entered Gaza. 180 doctors and nurses entered Gaza. 571 foreign nationals and 67 injured Palestinians were evacuated from Gaza via the Rafah crossing. Jordanian crown prince Hussein arrived in Egypt to oversee the establishment of the Jordanian field hospital, which will be set up in Khan Yunis. The Committee to Protect Journalists said 50 journalists have been killed since 10/7, including 45 Palestinians and 1 Lebanese. (AJ, AP, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 11/20; HA, UNOCHA 11/21)

Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak told CNN that the tunnels system Israel is claiming that Hamas uses under al-Shifa Hospital was built by Israel “five or four decades ago …. to enable more space for the operation of the hospital within the very limited size of the compound.” (CNN 11/20)

A witness said that the Palestinian man who died at the Ketziot Prison in the Naqab on 11/18, Thaer Samih Abu Assab, was beaten to death by Israeli forces after they raided his cell and assaulted 10 prisoners. (AJ 11/20)

Israeli forces reportedly arrested Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha on 11/18 while he was fleeing from northern Gaza to Rafah to get to the U.S. where his son has citizenship. (HA 11/21)

Israel indicted 2 Israelis on charges of terrorism for throwing Molotov cocktails at a court, a post office, banks, and Palestinian homes in Sheikh Jarrah. (HA 11/20)

The Israeli military said there have been several incidents of friendly fire in Gaza, saying Israeli soldiers had been killed as a result. There were more than 10,000 Israeli soldiers in Gaza. Israel’s military also said it had transferred 300 Palestinians from Gaza to Israel. (AP, HA 11/20)

Foreign ministers from the PA, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, and Indonesia and a representative from the OIC met with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in Beijing, calling for a ceasefire. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 11/20)

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh met with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) president Mirjana Spoljaric in Qatar, who demanded that Hamas release all captives immediately and that the ICRC be allowed to visit the captives. The Hamas information ministry called on Egypt to open the Rafah crossing permanently, saying it fears epidemics and famine will hit Gaza due to the lack of food and basic medical services. A Hamas military spokesperson said the Qassam Brigades had destroyed 60 military vehicles in the past 3 days and that Israeli forces had killed their own soldiers after thinking they were captured by Hamas militants. (AJ, AP, HA 11/20)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Latvian president Edgars Rinkević in Ramallah, discussing the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. (WAFA 11/20)

Israeli interior minister Moshe Arbel demanded that the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) build an aid program for Israelis evacuated from the area around Gaza and near the Blue Line, during a meeting with UNHCR representative in Israel Matthias Larota. The Knesset Ethics Committee banned Likud MK Nissim Vaturi from speaking at the next 10 Knesset sessions after he accused 2 Palestinian, MKs Aida Touma-Sliman and Iman Khatib-Yassin, of supporting Hamas. (HA 11/20)

Israel recalled its ambassador to South Africa. South Africa recalled its ambassador to Israel weeks ago and referred the situation in Gaza to the ICC on 10/7. The South African parliament is also scheduled to vote on 11/21 to close the Israeli embassy and cut all ties with Israel until a ceasefire is implemented. (AJ, HA 11/20; AJ, HA 11/21)

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he will not allow the issue of Israeli nuclear weapons to be dropped from the international agenda and said the “shame of the Holocaust has literally taken European leaders hostage,” referring to their support for Israel. (HA 11/20)

White House senior adviser for energy and investment Amos Hochstein met with Israeli officials, discussing the situation at the Blue Line and the development of the Gaza Marine gas field off the coast of Gaza, which he said would benefit the Palestinian economy. Hochstein arrived in Israel after meetings with Lebanese officials. (AJ, AX, HA, REU 11/20)

Amnesty International said Israel had committed war crimes by attacking a church in Gaza City on 10/19 and a residential building in Nuseirat refugee camp on 10/20, which killed 46 civilians, including 20 children. Amnesty said it had visited the sites, interviewed witnesses and survivors, and analyzed satellite imagery to reach its conclusion. (HA, WAFA 11/20)

13 U.S. senators urged President Joe Biden to work with Israel to increase aid to Gaza, including by reopening the Karem Abu Salem (Karem Shalom) crossing and to protect Palestinian civilians. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) called for a ceasefire, the second U.S. senator to do so after Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). 41 members of the House have called for a ceasefire. (AJ, HA 11/20)

Qatar said the revenue from the Asia Cup 2023 soccer tournament held in the country will go to Palestinian relief efforts. The Australian soccer team, which is playing against the Palestinian soccer team in a World Cup qualifying game in Kuwait on 11/21, said its players and soccer association will donate a 5-figure sum to Palestinians in Gaza. (AJ, WAFA 11/20)

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, Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian home in Sinjil, causing severe damage. The sleeping family managed to escape the fire unharmed. Israeli settlers also set fire to Palestinian-owned crops and threw stones at vehicles near Huwwara, causing damage. Israeli forces placed dirt mounds on several roads leading to Deir Sharaf. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-nights in Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces forcefully removed Palestinian worshippers from the Haram al-Sharif compound to clear it for Israeli settler tours. (REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/26; WAFA 3/27; PCHR 3/30; UNOCHA 3/31)

The Israeli military issued notices that it will seize 218 dunams (54 acres) of Palestinian-owned land for military purposes in Jinsafut, Funduq, and Hijja. (WAFA, WAFA 3/26)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant after Gallant called on Netanyahu to freeze the judicial overhaul legislation. The firing prompted mass protests in Israel overnight into the next day. The White House national security council spokesperson said that the Biden administration was “deeply concerned” about the dismissal of Gallant. (AJ, AP, AX, NYT 3/25; AJ, AX, AX, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, NYT, REU 3/26; AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, REU 3/27)

Israel and the UAE signed a free trade agreement removing or reducing tariffs on 96% of goods traded between the 2 countries. The trade agreement was an extension of the 2 countries’ normalization deal. (REU 3/26; ALM 3/27)

The 6 foreign ministers in the Gulf Cooperation Council sent a letter to U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken urging him to respond to Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich’s comments on 3/19 that the Palestinian people do not exist. The UAE also independently condemned the Israeli repeal of the 2005 Disengagement Law from 3/20. (TOI, TOI, WAFA 3/26)

Association football’s global governing body FIFA announced that it had canceled the draw for the U-20 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to be held in Indonesia on 3/31, after Bali governor Wayan Koster refused to host the Israeli U-20 team which had qualified for the tournament. Koster cited Israeli violations of Palestinian human rights as the reason for refusing to host the Israeli team. The tournament is scheduled to be held in Indonesia between 5/20 and 6/11. Later on 3/29 FIFA stripped Indonesia of their hosting rights. (REU, TOI 3/26; AP 3/28; BBC 3/29; GDN, WAFA, WAFA 3/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians and their property in Hebron and Nablus, injuring 2 in Nablus. Israeli settlers also assaulted 1 Palestinian farmer working his land in ‘Urif. Israeli forces shot and killed 7 Palestinians, including the alleged perpetrator of the killing of 2 Israeli settlers on 2/26 and 1 minor, and injured 25 others during a raid in Jenin. 2 Israeli soldiers were injured. The PA called the raid a “heinous crime,” while the U.S. said Israel had a right to defend itself. Israeli forces also raided ‘Askar refugee camp, arresting 2 sons of 1 of the Palestinians killed during the raid in Jenin. (AJ, ALM, AP, AX, BBC, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/7; HA, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/8; HA, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 3/9; UNOCHA 3/19)

All crossings to the West Bank and Gaza were closed by Israel for the Purim holiday. The crossings will reopen on 3/8. (HA 3/5)

Israel Hayom reported that Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen was working on normalization deals with Mauritania, Somalia, Niger, and Indonesia. Talks about normalization with those countries were reportedly brought up in conversations that included U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. Israel Hayom said Israeli talks with Mauritania were the most advanced of the 4 and that Israel had asked Germany to assist in its efforts. (ALM 3/7)

In Syria, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes in Aleppo, damaging the runway at Aleppo International Airport. The Syrian transport ministry said it had to reroute earthquake aid to other airports due to the strike. The U.S. and UN expressed concerns about the consequences of the attack, without mentioning the perpetrator. The airport reopened on 3/10. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA 3/7; REU 3/8; AJ, AP, HA 3/9; AP 3/10)

The Parliament of South Africa voted to downgrade the country’s diplomatic ties with Israel, making the Israeli embassy a liaison office, citing Israeli abuses of Palestinians. The South African government has to adopt the motion for the vote to take effect. (MEE 3/7; ALM, MEMO, WAFA 3/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man in al-Am‘ari refugee camp, claiming he had opened fire at the Israeli soldiers from his car; Israeli forces subsequently violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the killing; the family of the Palestinian victim said he had nothing to do with the alleged shooting and was killed by the Israel forces at random. Israeli forces also seized vending stalls and damaged grapevines near Fawwar refugee camp. 18 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Yatta, Sa‘ir, Beit Umar, Aida refugee camp, Husan, Hizma, Ras Karkar, and Kafr Nimeh; Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with a rubber-coated bullet during the raid in Aida refugee camp. In Gaza, Israeli forces fired tear gas at Palestinian shepherds east of Maghazi; no injuries were reported. (MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/22; HA, MEE, PCHR 12/23)

U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan met with PA president Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. The PA said that President Abbas urged the U.S. to reopen its consulate to Palestinians. PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh later told Axios that Abbas urged the U.S. to take a more active role in reaching a 2-state solution and that the Palestinian leadership is disappointed that the Biden administration has not rolled back Trump policies. (AJ, AX, WAFA 12/22; WAFA 12/23; AX 1/5)

National Security Advisor Sullivan also met with Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett in Israel, discussing the possibility of the U.S. reentering the Iran nuclear deal. (AJ, ALM, REU 12/22)

Axios reported that U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken raised the issue of normalization between Indonesia and Israel during meetings with Indonesian officials in Jakarta. (AX 12/22)

The Illinois Investment Policy Board, which oversees the state’s employee pension fund, voted to divest from Unilever, the parent company of Ben & Jerry’s. The announcement follows several other state funds that have taken action against Unilever for Ben & Jerry’s decision in July to end sales of its ice cream in Israeli settlements. (MEMO 12/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up mobile homes outside of the Shvut Rachel settlement near Jalud to expand the settlement. Israeli forces demolished several structures in Khirbet Humsa after demolishing more than 30 structures on 7/7. Israeli forces also demolished 1 large Canaanite-era cemetery near al-Khader to expand a settlement road; the cemetery was dated around 2300 to 1550 B.C.E. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished a large water tank in Bayt Dajan. Palestinian students from Birzeit University held a sit-in protest at the university for the mass arrest of 33 students on 7/14 by Israeli forces in Turmus ‘Ayya, were the students were visiting the family who were victims of a punitive demolition on 7/8. All of the 33 students were released the same day. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around ‘Asira al-Qibliya, Marah Rabah, Deir Qaddis, Abu Dis, and ‘Anin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a house raid in al-Tur. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/15; PCHR 7/29)

The Intercept and Local Call reported that Israeli settlers and soldiers had cooperated in the deliberately killing at least 4 Palestinians on 5/14, a day where Israeli soldiers and settlers ultimately killed 11 Palestinians across the West Bank. In videos obtained by B’Tselem, it is evident that Israeli settlers stand side by side with Israeli soldiers firing automatic rifles at Palestinians trying to protect themselves from a settler raid in ‘Urif. Similar joint attacks by settlers and soldiers led to killings of Palestinians in Iskaka, ‘Asira al-Qibliya, and al-Reihiya. (+972, INT 7/15; HA 7/16)

Haaretz said that documents they had examined revealed that the Israeli defense ministry had worked with a Jewish National Fund subsidiary, Himanuta, to purchase Palestinian-owned land in the West Bank and to prevent Palestinians from accessing the land in question. The deals between Himanuta and the defense ministry were made in 2018 and 2019. Among the purchases were a 1,000-dunam (250 acres) plot of land near the Hamra settlement, which Israel closed off to its Palestinian owners more than 50 years ago; a plot of land near Ramallah; the home of the Bakri family in Hebron; and a 218-dunam (54 acres) plot of land near the Argaman settlement. (HA 7/15)

Israel and Morocco signed a cybersecurity agreement in Rabat, further bolstering the 2 countries’ normalization deal. (MEMO 7/15)

The New York Times reported that Israel is refusing to extricate a Mexican former federal prosecutor, Tomas Zeron De Lucio, who is wanted for falsifying evidence, torture, and misuse of the NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware. According to NYT sources, Israel is refusing the extradition because of the country’s perception of Mexico as supportive of Palestine. Zeron De Lucio is said to have sought political asylum in Israel. (HA, MEMO, NYT 7/15; GDN, TOI 7/22; TOI 7/23)

The Canadian cybersecurity research group Citizen Lab said that spyware from the Israeli company Candiru was used to spy on more than 100 activists from several countries including Saudi Arabia, Israel, Hungary, Indonesia, the UK, Palestine, Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, Spain, Turkey, Armenia, and Singapore. Spyware was installed on the users’ computers using the Microsoft operating system Windows. Microsoft said it had updated its software to close the hole in its security. 1 of the ways the spyware infected users’ devices was when a user clicked on a URL set up by the attacker. Citizen Lab found that activists had been hacked through domain names from fake websites with domain names such as “amnesty reports,” “refugee international,” woman studies,” “euro news,” and “CNN 24-7.” (AJ, AP, GDN, MEE, REU 7/15; ALM 7/16; NYT 7/17)

Lebanese prime minister-designate Saad Hariri resigned 9 months after being picked to try to form a government. Hariri’s resignation followed a meeting with President Michel Aoun on 7/14, where he proposed a 24-minister cabinet. (AJ, HA, REU, REU 7/14; AJ, AP, AX, HA, MEMO, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU 7/15; AP 7/16)

Facebook suspended the account of a Palestinian user who uploaded a letter from the Palestinian political prisoner in Israeli jail Khalida Jarrar to her recently deceased daughter. The account was initially suspended for 60 days but was unblocked by Facebook on 7/20. (HA 7/20; HA 7/21)

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said at a conference hosted by the Geneva Institute that China plans to increase its involvement in resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. At the virtual conference were also a member of the Knesset from the Meretz (Vigor) party and Ahmad Majdalani, the PA social development minister. (HA 7/15)

A football exhibition match between Beitar Jerusalem and the Spanish F.C. Barcelona was canceled after Barcelona demanded the game should not be held in Jerusalem, which the owner of Beitar Jerusalem refused. Barcelona’s demand came after weeks of pressure from Palestinians, including chairman of the Palestinian Football Association Jibril Rajoub and Joint List member of Knesset Sami Abu Shehadeh. (ALM 7/13; AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEMO 7/15; ALM 7/16; WAFA 7/17; MEMO 7/18)

Late at night, unidentified Palestinians launch a projectile from Gaza into southern Israel, where it lands in an open area. Gazans also fly 2 explosive devices into southern Israel using kites and balloons. Neither incident causes and damage or injuries. The Israeli Air Force retaliates with air strikes targeting Hamas sites across Gaza, causing extensive damage. Meanwhile, IDF troops violently disperse hundreds of Palestinians gathering along Gaza’s border fence late at night to set tires on fire, throw stones, and otherwise continue the Great March of Return; 1 Palestinian is critically injured. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 10 Palestinians during late-night raids near Jenin, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Hebron; and patrol near Ramallah and Hebron. In Israel, a Palestinian demolishes his own home in Qalanswe to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. (TOI, TOI 3/6; HA, HA, MNA, MNA, WAFA 3/7; PCHR 3/7; PCHR 3/14)

One day after an Egyptian delegation arrived in Gaza to help ease the escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas, a senior Hamas official says, “I think the Israeli side is also not interested in war on the eve of elections.” The delegation is reportedly discussing a possible cease-fire agreement, under which the Israeli authorities would increase humanitarian aid to Gaza in exchange for calm along the border fence. “The Egyptian delegation is doing everything it can to lower tension and prevent war in the Gaza Strip,” the official adds. (MNA, JP 3/6)

Indonesia announces a $1 million pledge to support UNRWA. “Palestine is at the heart of Indonesia’s foreign policy, and in the heart of Indonesian people,” a senior Indonesian official says. (MNA, WAFA 3/6)

Unidentified persons in Gaza launch a projectile into southern Israel, where it lands in an open area in Eshkol, causing on damage or injuries. In response, an Israeli tanks shell 2 Hamas sites near Khan Yunis, causing damage. Also along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmlands near al-Maghazi refugee camp, causing no damage. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 4 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah, Jenin, and Hebron; and patrol near Nablus, Qalqilya, and Ramallah. (HA, JP, TOI 2/6; PCHR 2/7; PCHR 2/14)

A Palestinian prisoner dies in Israeli custody. The Palestinian Prisoners and Former Prisoners’ Affairs Committee accuses the Israel Prison Service of medical negligence. The prisoner, Faris Baroud, was arrested in 1991 and sentenced to life in prison for killing an Israeli and injuring 3 others. He spent the first 17 years of his incarceration in solitary confinement. (WAFA 2/6; HA, MNA, REU  2/7; EI 2/8; PCHR 2/14)

The U.S. blocks the UN Security Council from issuing a statement condemning Israel’s 1/28 decision not to renew the mandate of the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH). The statement under consideration was drafted by Kuwait and Indonesia, and reportedly would have stressed the TIPH’s importance and commended its efforts to maintain calm. (JP 2/6; MNA, WAFA, YA 2/7)

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki says that any discussion of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict at the upcoming security conference in Warsaw is “illegitimate,” responding to the 2/5 news that U.S. president Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor Jared Kushner is planning to discuss the Trump administration’s long-awaited Palestinian-Israeli peace plan at the conference on 2/14. “We will not take part in any illegitimate meetings under international law or international references, and we will not accept to be represented by anyone or allow anyone to speak on our behalf.” (XIN 2/6; MNA 2/7)

As many as 35 unidentified gunmen attack an Egyptian checkpoint near the Rafah border, fatally shooting 16 Egyptian security officers and wounding 3. Some of the assailants then steal 2 armored personnel carriers, which they pack with explosives and drive toward Kerem Shalom commercial crossing, where the borders of Egypt, Israel, and Gaza meet. The IDF calls in an air strike on the vehicles as they breach the border, killing at least 3 assailants. No group takes responsibility. Egypt seals the Rafah border crossing into Gaza as a precaution. Israel shuts the Israeli-Egypt side of Kerem Shalom and halts fuel shipments to Gaza through the Israel-Gaza side, but otherwise continues to allow limited imports of goods from Israel to Gaza. Hamas authorities in Gaza deny any Palestinian involvement, call the attack ‘‘terrorism,’’ and close smuggling tunnels from their side as well, stating that ‘‘Palestinian resistance factions are committed to fighting only against the Israeli occupation, and they launch their operations only from the Palestinian territories.’’ (MNA, NYT, WP 8/6; NYT 8/7)

An Israeli warplane makes an air strike on Rafah targeting 2 Tawhid and Jihad mbrs. as they ride a motorcycle through Rafah, assassinating Eid Oukal and wounding Ahmad Said Isma‘il; Israel accuses the men of being behind the 6/18 Sinai attack that killed an Israeli Palestinian worker and of plotting other crossborder attacks on Israeli civilians; no mention is made of the Sinai attack earlier in the day. Later, unidentified Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF responds by directing artillery fire and shooting from helicopters at the demolished Dahaniyya airport site and open areas e. of Rafah for several hours, causing no reported injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, and Ramallah. (NYT, PCHR 8/6; PCHR 8/9; OCHA 8/10)

The PA cancels plans to host a meeting in Ramallah of foreign envoys representing the Non-Aligned Movement to express solidarity with the Palestinians, stating that Israel has refused to grant entry permits to the representatives of Algeria, Bangladesh, Cuba, Indonesia, and Malaysia on the grounds that their countries do not recognize the State of Israel. The PA reportedly (NYT 8/6) intended to announce plans to revive its UN statehood effort at the opening of the next UNGA session in 9/2012. The group was also expected to release a ‘‘Ramallah Declaration’’ denouncing Israeli settlement expansion. (NYT, WP 8/6)

Iran airs the confessions of more than a dozen alleged conspirators to the killing of 5 nuclear scientists since 2010, claiming that the suspects were trained in Israel by the Mossad. (WP 8/6)

Pres. Obama, asked during his trip to Indonesia about his reaction to Israel’s 11/8 construction announcement, states sharply that “this kind of activity is never helpful when it comes to peace negotations. I’m concerned that we’re not seeing each side make the extra effort . . . to get a breakthrough. Each of these incremental steps can end up breaking trust.” Hours later, Netanyahu’s office responds saying “Jerusalem is not a settlement. It is the capital of the State of Israel. . . . Israel sees no link between the peace process and its development plans in Jerusalem.” (IFM, Israel Radio News [Internet], MNA, REU 11/9; NYT, WT 11/10)

Israeli tax authorities and border police seal the entrances to the Jerusalem suburb of Issawiyya, checking Palestinians leaving and entering the village and raiding businesses in search of Palestinian tax evaders. Border police fire rubber-coated steel bullets at stone-throwing Palestinian youths who confront them, injuring 19 Palestinian children (ages 10–15); 1 Israeli border policeman is also injured. Also in East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities raid, search 2 Palestinian homes in Silwan, arresting 2 Palestinians. Silwan residents report that in recent weeks, Israeli authorities have stepped up arrests of young Palestinian men in Issawiyya and Silwan, and that Jewish settlers and settlement guards in Silwan have been accosting local Palestinians more frequently, generating almost daily low-grade clashes. The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Issawiyya later in the evening; and conducts latenight arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron and nearby al-‘Arub r.c., in al-Bireh (searching the home of Palestinian Council secy. Mahmud al-Ramahi, but making no arrests; Ramahi was one of the Hamas-affiliated elected PC mbrs. that Israel arrested after the 2006 capture of Shalit to pressure Hamas but he was recently released; 7 Hamas-affiliated PC mbrs. are still jailed by Israel), and nr. Tulkarm. Meanwhile, the IDF makes brief incursions into n. Gaza nr. Bayt Lahiya and c. Gaza e. of al-Maghazi r.c. to bulldoze Palestinian lands along the border fence to clear lines of sight. Unidentified Palestinians fire 2 mortars fr. Gaza toward Israel, 1 landing in Israel and 1 inside Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. OCHA (11/11) reports that in the previous wk., the IDF imposed at least 8 new barriers to Palestinian travel around Hebron. (YA 11/9; NYT 11/10; OCHA, PCHR 11/11)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue but are less severe, largely because overnight the IDF deployed tanks on access roads to and around PA cities, sealing areas A, limiting movement. During the day, 2 Palestinians are killed by Israeli gunfire, over 160 are injured. Israel prohibits Palestinians under 45 fr. attending Friday prayers in Jerusalem, prompting scuffles with those denied access but preventing the full-scale rioting of 9/29, 10/6. In Jerusalem, cameramen record footage of Israeli police disguised as Palestinians seizing 2 Palestinian youths, beating them while holding them in a choke hold. Armed Jewish settlers rampage through Husan, fire on Palestinian homes in Artas, Bayt Inun, al-Khadir. In Gaza City and Shati camp, 100s of Palestinians hold rallies denouncing the PA for the failed peace process. The rallies devolve into riots, with demonstrators torching cars, bars, hotels, restaurants; the PA police arrest 16. (AP, IsRN, LAW 10/13; ADM, LAW, NYT, WP, WT 10/14; HA [Internet] 10/15)

Oman closes its trade office in Tel Aviv, Israel's trade mission in Muscat. Morocco recalls its envoy to Israel. In Cairo, 10,000 Egyptians hold anti-Israeli, anti-U.S. demonstrations. In Lebanon, the army keeps Palestinians away fr. the blue line, where they want to hold demonstrations. However, 6,000 Palestinians in `Ayn al-Hilwa camp, 3,000 in Beddawi camp, 5,000 in Nahr al-Barid camp, 7,000 in Rashidiyya camp demonstrate against Israel. In Amman, 8,000 Jordanians attend a government-sanctioned rally; a smaller, unauthorized demonstration takes place spontaneously following Friday prayers. In the U.S., rallies are held in Ann Arbor, Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Las Vegas, New York, Petaluma (CA), Philadelphia, Santa Ana (CA), San Francisco, Washington. Similar demonstrations are held in Austria, Bahrain, Bosnia, Canada, Djbouti, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Pakistan, Scotland, Sudan, Syria. (AFP [Internet], BBC, Los Angeles Times [Internet], MM, Omani News Agency [Internet], REU, UPI 10/13; AFP, BETA [Belgrade], MENA 10/13, MENA 10/14 in WNC 10/16; Daily Star [Internet], NYT 10/14; HA [Internet], NYT 10/15; MM 10/17; WJW 10/19; WP, WT 10/20; MM 10/24, 10/25; WJW 10/26; MEI 10/27)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes escalate again. In Ramallah, 2 IDF reservists--"at least partially in uniform," driving a private vehicle, most likely armed--stray deep into area A, cross paths with a funeral procession. The crowd, assuming the soldiers are on an undercover operation, attack them and set their car afire. (Some reports say a body burned beyond recognition, possibly a 3d IDF soldier, is found in the vehicle.) PA police intervene and take the 2 reservists into protective custody, removing them to a nearby police station. When news of the incident spreads, 1,000s of Palestinians descend on the station (manned by 21 officers), break in, and kill the soldiers, injuring 15 policemen in the process. Declaring that the PA has "crossed the line," Barak seals borders with Egypt and Jordan, authorizes IDF air strikes against Arafat's headquarters in Ramallah and Gaza, the Palestinian Broadcasting Center in Ramallah, the Gaza port, various PA police stations, including those in Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah. When the strikes occur, Arafat is in his Gaza office waiting for CIA Dir. Tenet to arrive to discuss the possibility of convening the U.S.-Israeli-PA trilateral security comm. (formed in 1998) to explore ways of halting the violence. Neither Arafat nor Tenet is injured, but 43 Palestinians are wounded. In Gaza City, Palestinians pack belongings into cars, prepare to flee. In Jericho, Palestinians set fire to a 6th-century synagogue. Jewish settlers attack, fire on Palestinian cars nr. Bethlehem, Jinin. In retaliation, IDF helicopters fire rockets at the PA police academy in Jericho. During the Israeli air strikes, the PA releases around 60 Hamas, Islamic Jihad prisoners for their safety. (ADM, AP, LAW, MM, NYT 10/12; ATL, AYM, IRNA, LPA, MENA, XIN 10/12 in WNC 10/13; MENA, XIN 10/12, SA 10/13 in WNC 10/16; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/13; WP, WT 10/14; MENA 10/16 in WNC 10/17; WJW 10/19; JP 10/20; MEI 10/27; MA 11/6 in WNC 11/9)

In Yemen's port of Aden, a small, explosive-laden boat rams the USS Cole, an Aegis destroyer in port for refueling, killing 17 U.S. servicemen, injuring 35. (AP, MM 10/12; AFP [Internet], CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/13; NYT, WP, WT 10/14, 10/15, 10/16; MEI 10/27)

In the U.S., the primary concern of the public, government, and media is the attack on the USS Cole, while Israel's attacks on the Palestinian infrastructure, PA offices are viewed as a limited military response to the death of Israeli soldiers in PA custody, if not at the hands of the PA. Clinton, Albright express outrage over the murder, call on both sides to halt the violence. Clinton says he appreciates Palestinian frustration, but "there can be no possible justification for mob violence." 96 senators send Clinton a letter urging him to express solidarity with Israel "at this critical moment." (NYT, WP, WT 10/13; MEI, MM 10/27; MEI 11/10) (see Doc. D4)

Mubarak invites Arafat, Barak, Clinton to Sharm al-Shaykh for a summit. Mubarak also meets with King Abdallah of Jordan on the escalating crisis, upcoming Arab summit. (MENA 10/12 in WNC 10/13; MM, NYT, WP 10/13)

In Biarritz, France, Pres. Chirac convenes an emergency EU mtg. to discuss the escalation of Israeli-Palestinian violence, implores both sides to halt the fighting. (MM 10/13; AFP, EFE [Madrid] 10/13 in WNC 10/16; WP 10/14; SA 10/15 in WNC 10/17)

UN Secy.-Gen. Annan, in Lebanon to discuss the Hizballah kidnapping of 3 IDF soldiers, cuts short his visit, returns to Israel to try to calm the situation. (WP 10/13)

The Arab League denounces the Israel air strikes, warns that "all options" are open to the Arab world if the escalation continues. In Cairo, angry crowds march through the streets demanding Egypt take military action against Israel. In Beirut, demonstrations break out on university campuses. Elsewhere in Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria--including in the Palestinian camps--the streets are quiet; the governments release no official statements on events but heighten visibility of police, military. Anti-Israeli, anti-U.S. demonstrations are noted in Indonesia, South Africa. In the U.S., demonstrations are held in Boston, Dearborn, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, Raleigh, San Diego, Washington. In France, numerous acts of anti-Jewish vandalism, including attacks on synagogues, are noted in Lille, Paris, Rouen. (AP 10/12; AFP [Internet], WP 10/13; JT 10/13 in WNC 10/16; WP 10/14)

At the UN, U.S. Amb. Holbrooke warns Arab, nonaligned diplomats they may "jeopardize" relations with the U.S. if they push for a special session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to censure Israel, for a UNSC res. calling on Israel to cease hostilities. (TT 10/12 in WNC 10/13; MM 10/13; NYT, WP 10/14)

Anticipating protests following Friday prayers, Israel seals the West Bank and Gaza, allows plain clothes PA police to deploy in the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount to form a cordon to prevent Palestinians fr. throwing stones. The PA police, Waqf officials largely succeed in restraining the crowd, but when a handful of the 8,000 Palestinian worshipers do throw rocks, Israeli forces open fire, killing 2 Palestinians, wounding 60. At sundown IDF troops raid the Haram al-Sharif to chase off Palestinians, lower a Palestinian flag. In total, 9 Palestinians are killed, 450 injured during the day; a 10th dies of wounds received earlier. (AP, JP [Internet], LAW, MM 10/6; MENA 10/6, IRNA, TT 10/7 in WNC 10/10; NYT, WP, WT 10/7; AYM 10/7 in WNC 10/12)

The largest rally in support of the Palestinians is held in Amman, where 30,000 Jordanians, Palestinians attempt to march on the Israeli emb. but are dispersed by Jordanian police firing tear gas. In Baqa` camp, Jordanian police fire on 2,000 Palestinian demonstrators, killing 1, injuring at least 50. The incidents prompt the government to ban public protests. In Damascus, Syrian police use tear gas to disperse protesters attempting to march to the U.S. emb. In Tunis, Arafat, Pres. Zine Abidine Ben Ali participate in a rally attended by 10,000 Tunisians. Crowds also demonstrate in Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritania, Oman, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Yemen, as well as in Berlin, Canberra, Geneva, the Hague, London, Prague, Reykjavik, and Vienna. In Canada, rallies are held in Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto, Waterloo, and Windsor. In the U.S., protests are staged in Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dearborn, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, New York, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Ottawa, Phoenix, Raleigh, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Tampa, Washington. (BBC, MM, REU, UPI 10/6; AFP, CTK [Prague], EFE [Madrid] 10/6, JT 10/8 in WNC 10/10; Toronto Star, WP, WT 10/7; al-Quds 10/7, AFP 10/11 in WNC 10/12; REU 10/8; WP 10/10; MM 10/11; Daily Star 10/12 in WNC 10/13; MEI 10/13; SA 10/16 in WNC 10/18; Le Monde 11/7 in WNC 11/8)

Israel decides to release 1/3 of the tax revenues ($12 m.) that it has withheld fr. the PA as a nod to the PA's cooperation on the trilateral security panel 8/18. (MM 8/18; IDF Radio, IGPO 8/18 in WNC 8/20; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 8/19; PR 8/22)

PA police begin inforcing a boycott on the import of certain Israeli goods to the occupied territories, halting and searching commercial vehicles. (JT 8/18 in WNC 8/20; MM 8/21; CSM, NYT, PR 8/22) (see 8/16)

Citing the deadlock in the peace process, Indonesia rejects an Israeli request for PM Netanyahu to visit the country during a trip to Japan, South Korea next wk. (YA 8/19 in WNC 8/20)

IDF demolishes 4 Palestinian homes nr. Hebron. (PR 9/5)

Jordan arrests 6 people, including an Israeli, who were trying to smuggle guns into the West Bank via the Dead Sea tourist area. (JT 8/27 in WNC 8/28; Shihan 9/6 in WNC 9/10; JP 10/11)

3 Lebanese civilians are killed by a roadside explosion in Jazzin, which is controlled by the South Lebanon Army (SLA). In response, the SLA shells the largely pro-Hizballah city of Sidon, killing at least 6 civilians, wounding 38--the highest civilian toll since the 4/96 understanding. Hizballah, supported by Lebanese army artillery, then shells source of SLA fire (a village nr. Jazzin), killing 1 civilian, wounding 2. Israel files a complaint with the Israel-Lebanon Monitoring Group (ILMG), blaming Hizballah for the initial roadside bombing; reprimands the "rogue commander" of the SLA who allegedly ordered the Sidon attack. (MM 8/18; RL, VOL 8/18 in WNC 8/20; MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/19; VOL 8/19 in WNC 8/21; CSM, WP 8/20; NYT 8/21; MM 8/22) (see 8/12)

Iraq announces plans to permit Iranian pilgrims to visit Shi`ite holy sites at Najaf, Karbala for the 1st time in 17 yrs. beginning 9/4. (MM 8/19)

At the invitiation of the Lebanese Soccer Federation, the Iraqi national soccer team arrives in Beirut to play match against Lebanon's team. (INA 8/18 in WNC 8/20) (see 7/11)

In Cairo, Egyptian FM Musa receives an Israeli Peace Now delegation headed by Mordechai Bar-On. (RE 7/14 in WNC 7/16)

Following talks 7/13, 200 PA policemen resume joint patrols with the IDF in Hebron in an attempt to quell riots. IDF allows some shops in the downtown area to reopen (see 7/12). (MM 7/14; CSM, MM, NYT, WT 7/15; MM 7/16; MEI 7/25)

IDF claims that the PA is paying protesters $8+n$11 for every day that they participate in disturbances against the IDF in Hebron. PA denies this. (MM 7/14; IDF Radio, MA 7/14 in WNC 7/16)

IDF arrests 3 PA policemen who were allegedly planning an attack on the Jewish settlement of Har Bracha nr. Nablus. This is the 1st time that the IDF has arrested any mbr. of the PA security services. (YA 7/15 in IL 7/15; ITV 7/16 in WNC 7/17; PR, WT 7/18; ITV 7/18 in WNC 7/22; MEI 7/25)

In Bayt Sahur, an explosion in an apartment kills 1 Palestinian man, wounds a woman. IDF claims that the man, Issa Khalil Shukah, was a mbr. of Hamas. (PR 7/18)

Palestinians clash with IDF in the West Bank town of Bayt Sahur. 1 Palestinian boy is killed by rubber bullet to the head. (WT 7/17; PR 7/18)

In East Jerusalem, IDF demolishes Palestinian home allegedly built without a permit. (YA 7/14 in WNC 7/16)

Iraqi trade delegation postpones indefinitely a visit to Lebanon planned for next mo. (INA 7/14 in WNC 7/16) (see 7/11)

In s. Lebanon, 2 Lebanese civilians are killed, 1 is wounded by Israeli shelling. (RL 7/14, 7/15 in WNC 7/16)

Egypt's Baz arrives in Jerusalem for talks with PM Netanyahu, Arafat on possibility of holding 3- or 4-way summit with Pres. Mubarak/King Hussein. (MM 6/12; QY, YA 6/13 in WNC 6/17) (see 6/8)

In Istanbul, the culture Ms representing the Group of Eight Developing Islamic Counties (D-8) hold preparatory mtg. in advance of the 1st D-8 summit on 6/15; issue declaration vowing to pursue cultural, tourism cooperation agmts. The D-8, which encourages cooperation on all levels btwn. member states, comprises Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey. (Anatolia [Ankara] 6/12 in WNC 6/17)

In Gaza, IDF soldiers, settlers clash with Palestinians protesting the confiscation of land belonging to Khan Yunis for Morag settlement. 2 Palestinians are wounded by live ammunition, 1 dies of a heart attack. In a separate incident nr. Gush Qatif settlement, Palestinians clash with settlers dedicating a monument to an Israel soldier killed during the 9/24-28 clashes; 1 settler shoots, wounds 2 Palestinians. IDF moves more tanks into Gaza. (MM, NYT 6/13; JP 6/21; MEI 6/27; MM 6/30)

Officials fr. 39 countries, financial institutions meet at State Dept. in Washington to discuss Middle East regional finance. Israel, Egypt, Jordan, PA agree to work toward setting up regional bank despite EU, Saudi Arabian opposition at Casablanca conference 11/94. U.S. promises to lobby internationally for support for project. (NYT 1/12; JT 1/14 in FBIS 1/18)

Oman informs Israel it will delay establishment of diplomatic relations, apparently as a result of Alexandria summit 12/29. Israeli Dep. FM Beilin dismisses declaration as insignificant. (QY 1/11 in FBIS 1/12; MM 1/12; QY 1/17 in FBIS 1/17; MM 2/6)

Arafat meets with Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood officials, asks them to mediate btwn. PLO, Hamas. (AFP 1/11 in FBIS 1/12; Al-Sha`b 1/13 in FBIS 1/24; PR 1/15; Al-Musawwar 1/20 in FBIS 1/24)

UNRWA announces the following donations: $3.3 m. fr. Denmark for training centers in West Bank; $3.8 m. fr. Denmark for Gaza Hospital; $2.3 m. fr. Netherlands, $1.5 m. fr. Kuwait, $50,000 fr. Brazil, $40,000 fr. Portugal, $25,000 fr. Indonesia for UNRWA operations; $700,000 fr. Germany, $685,000 fr. Switzerland for education. (UNRWA News 1/11)

2 IDF soldiers lightly wounded when bomb explodes nr. their patrol at Kissufim crossing, Gaza. (MM 1/11)

Hizballah attacks IDF patrol in southern Lebanon. IDF, SLA respond, using planes, tanks, artillery. 4 Hizballah mbrs. killed; 2 IDF, 1 SLA soldiers, 3 civilians wounded. (IDF Radio 1/11 in FBIS 1/12; WP, WT 1/12)

IDF further eases restrictions on Gaza Strip as number of workers entering Israel grows substantially, still far short of normal 30,000/day. (MM 6/10)

Slain PLO leader Atif Basaysu is buried beside his mentor Salah Khalaf (Abu lyad) in Tunis, after Egypt reportedly turndown his mother's request that he be buried in Cairo. (MM 6/11)

Amid thousands of mourners, IDF troops force their way into Basaysu's home in Gaza, remove pictures from the walls. (MM 6/10)

U.S. amb. in Beirut Ryan Crocker announces U.S. will donate $3 million to help rebuild American University of Beirut's College Hall, which was destroyed ina car bomb attack 11/8/91. (MM 6/10)

Israel and China sign memo of understanding on economic relations in Beijing, prelude to a trade agreement to be signed when Chinese officials make reciprocal visit to Israel. (Qol Yisra'el 6/10 in FBIS 6/11)

Before Congress, Sec. Baker says U.S. and allies might help rebuild post-war Iraq, and outlines elements of post-war settlement; Baker also says that continued U.S. military role in region may be inevitable [LAT, NYT, WP, WT 2/7].

Sec. Baker says that U.S. has not moved forward with $400 million in loan guarantees for Israel to house Soviet Jews because Israel has yet to provide settlement information; Israel reacts angrily, saying information has been provided. Earlier this week, Israel said between 1,500 and 3,000 Soviet Jews settled in o.t., which would be as much as 17% of all Jewish settlers [NYT, WP 2/8].

Iraqi POWs report that more than 1/4 of positions in Iraq's regular army in Kuwait are deserted or undermanned, raising questions about Iraq's ability to defend against ground assault [LAT 2/7].

Allied planes shoot down 2 Iraqi fighter jets headed for Iran; bringing total air-combat (dog-fight) losses to 33 Iraqi planes, 0 allied planes [LAT, NYT 2/7].

Military sources revise estimates to say about 120 Iraqi planes have landed in Iran [LAT, WT 2/7].

Iraq announces that it is severing all re- maining diplomatic relations with 6 leading members of coalition: U.S., Britain, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Warplanes from all those nations, except Egypt, have attacked Iraq (cf. 2/7) [INA 2/6 in FBIS 2/7; MEM 2/6; LAT, NYT, WP, WT 2/7].

In nationwide address, King Hussein describes Gulf war as effort by outsiders to destroy Iraq and carve up Arab world; that war was against all Arabs and all Muslims, not just Iraq; he calls on Arab and Muslims to "make the alliance accept a cease-fire" (cf. 2/7, 2/8, 2/10) [ADS 2/6 in FBIS 2/7; LAT, NYT, WP, WT, MEM 2/7].

Saudi F.M. Prince Faisal arrives in Cairo for meetings with Pres. Mubarak [MENA 2/6 in FBIS 2/7].

Lebanese Army regulars move into positions in S. Lebanon for 1st time since 1975; the 2,500 troops are within sight of Israel's "security zone"; Israeli army again shells Pal- estinian positions in S. Lebanon [MEM 2/6; LAT, NYT, WP 2/7].

Sec. of State Baker leaves for Gulf and Europe to lay groundwork for new UN Sec. Council resolution authorizing use of force against Iraq and to ask allies under what conditions would they support military action [WP, NYT 11/4].

IDF shoots dead Gaza Palestinian, injures at least 61 others as soldiers use tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition to break up demonstration in Bayt Hanoun that erupted after news that Palestinian activist had died in detention [WP, NYT 11/4; JPD 11/4 in FBIS 11/6; LAT 11/5].

For 2d time in as many weeks, Iraqi officials hint that they might release all hostages in return for guarantee Iraq would not be attacked; guarantee to come from at least 2 of the following states: China, France, USSR, Germany, and Japan [INA 11/3 in FBIS 11/6; WP, NYT 11/4].

Iraqi F.M. Aziz arrives in Amman for meeting with King Hussein [INA 11/3 in FBIS 11/5].

World Bank officials say more than 1.5 million people have been displaced by the Gulf crisis [WP 11/4].

Saudi Oil Minister Hisham al-Nazir says Saudi Arabia's oil production surpassed 8.2 million b/d this past week and is expected to rise to 8.5 million b/d early next year to make up for loss of Iraqi oil [NYT 11/4].

Sec. Baker says that Saddam had expressed tentative interest in compromise settlement of Gulf crisis, but that Washington considers the termns unacceptable and continues to insist Iraq withdraws completely from Kuwait. Compromise reportedly suggests that Iraq would leave Kuwait, but retain Bubiyan Island and Rumaila oilfield; Baker also urges Israel to cooperate with UN probe of Haram al-Sharif killings [NYT, LAT, WP, WT, MEM 10/17].

Bush admin. is urging UN Sec.-Gen. Perez de Cuellar to send UN investigating team to Jerusalem soon in an effort to stem possible new campaign at UN against Israel [NYT 10/17].

Japanese cabinet approves plan to send troops to Gulf in that country's lst military activity abroad since World War II; plan encounters opposition in parliament where final approval is needed [NYT, WP 10/17].

British For. Sec. Hurd speaks before Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee; reportedly says Britain opposes Palestinian state and is not "enthusiastic" about the PLO as negotiating partner for Israel (cf. 10/17) [JDS, IDF 10/16 in FBIS 10/17].

Six non-Arab Muslim nations - Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Pakistan, and the Maldives - issue statement appealing to Saddam to leave Kuwait [AFP 10/16 in FBIS 10/18].

Social Economic/Political:

Arab World: Haaretz reports 1/3 [$16 million of $49 million] of Israel's fresh vegetable exports sent to Lebanon by Agrexco.

Other Countries: Koteret Rashit publishes Tel Aviv U. Institute of Strategic Studies' report findings that Israel recently sold arms to Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia and Morocco.

Military Action:

Arab World: Israeli-appointed Gen. Antoine Lahad officially replaces Saad Haddad as head of S. Lebanon Army. Limited exchanges of fire between Israeli and Syrian positions in Beqaa Valley reported. Lebanese National Resistance Forces strike IDF vehicle on Ghassaniyaal-Kawassariya road. IDF sets up checkpoints at approaches to Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp; shoot and wound 2 passengers in car approaching checkpoint. Israeli border policeman injured in grenade attack on IDF patrol in central Sidon. 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Central Bureau of Statistics announces Israel's economy grew less than 1% in 1983, foreign debt set at $23 billion. Cabinet defers decision on urgent economic recovery program; announces new round of consumer price increases. US 6th Fleet serviced in Haifa; 2 US warships under repair in Israel Shipyard; US sailors expected to spend $5 million on leave there during month of December.

Arab World: Arafat arrives in Tunis for Fateh Central Committee mtg. Israel seals off Awali River crossings between North Lebanon and occupied South. Public demonstrations staged throughout S. Lebanon protesting Israeli occupation.

Other Countries: Indonesia decides not to host 1984 International Parliamentary Union conference as Israel expected to attend.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 IDF grenade-bombs explodes in 2 mosques in Hebron; 1 worshipper slightly wounded; Israeli "TNT" claims responsibility. Bomb spotted and defused on Jerusalem bus.