The Palestine Chronology

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man, saying he had rammed and injured 5 Israeli soldiers near Hebron. Israeli forces also shot and killed a Palestinian man during a raid in al-Eizariya. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man after he allegedly tried to stab Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians and arrested 5 others during a raid in al-Fara’a refugee camp. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and injured 4 Palestinians, including a child, in at-Tayiba, Fawwar refugee camp, al-Arroub refugee camp, and Tuqu. Israeli forces also assaulted 2 Al Jazeera journalists in Dura, stealing all their equipment and mobile phones. Separately, Israeli forces assaulted 2 Palestinian shepherds in Jinba. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Qiffin, Ein as-Sultan, Deir Abu Masha’al, al-Am’ari refugee camp, and Surif. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians trying to reach the Haram al-Sharif compound with skunk water and baton rounds. In Gaza, Israeli forces bombed Khan Yunis, Maghazi, Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City, Rafah, and Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 187 people, including 3 at the Jordanian Field Hospital near Khan Yunis. Israeli forces also opened fire at an aid convoy despite coordination with the Israeli military, damaging a truck. In Lebanon, Islamic Jihad said 2 of its members were killed in Israeli assaults. Israel attacked sites around 10 miles north of the Blue Line. Hezbollah said it had attacked 6 Israeli positions. In Syria, Israeli forces attacked several places, saying rockets fired from Syria landed in the Golan Heights. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/29; UNOCHA 12/30)

More than 21,507 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 8,800 children and 6,300 women, and around 55,915 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 311 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 79 children. More than 3,812 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7. 165 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 898 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. (AJ, UNOCHA 12/29; UNOCHA 12/30)

The WHO said it had recorded 180,000 cases of upper respiratory infections, 136,400 cases of diarrhea, half of which were in children under the age of 5, 55,400 cases of lice and scabies, and 5,330 cases of chickenpox in Gaza. (AJ 12/29; UNOCHA 12/30)

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said Israeli forces systematically loot Palestinian homes in Gaza, stealing money and valuables worth more than tens of millions of dollars. Healthcare Workers Watch-Palestine said it had collected testimonies from 10 medical workers arrested by Israel who all say they were tortured while detained.  (WAFA 12/28; AJ 12/29; WAFA 12/30)

The PA foreign ministry said Israel was preventing sufficient aid from entering Gaza, deliberately depriving Palestinians of their basic needs. PA ambassador to the UN Majed Bamya told the UN Security Council that Israel was giving Palestinians in Gaza the option to die or be displaced. UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini said Israel was “creating a stream of baseless misinformation” about UNRWA’s responsibility for the lack of aid deliveries to Gaza, saying it is Israel that is impeding aid deliveries. (AJ 12/29; AJ 12/30)

Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said Israel will not transfer the PA its tax revenue while he is finance minister. It has been reported that U.S. president Joe Biden told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel should hand over the withheld PA funds to Norway, which will keep them until an arrangement is made to safeguard against the funds going to Hamas, a proposal Netanyahu made himself and that the PA reportedly accepted. (AX 12/28; AJ, HA 12/29)

South Africa invoked the Genocide Convention calling on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to expedite hearings on the issue of Israel committing genocide and to order Israel to immediately stop the killing of Palestinians in Gaza. In its report delivered to the ICJ, South Africa described Israel’s actions as “genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial, and ethnical group.” The Israeli Foreign Ministry called the South African action “blood libel.” The PA welcomed the South African action. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 12/29; AJ 12/30; HA 1/1)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken approved the sale of M107 155mm projectiles worth $147.5 million to Israel, bypassing congressional approval. It was the second time the Biden administration bypassed congressional approval for weapons transfers to Israel since 10/7. Relatedly, unnamed Israeli officials told Al-Monitor that the U.S. had started to scale down its military support to Israel due to Israel’s failure to discuss its plans for Gaza after the war. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the Biden administration for forcing through the military aid and said Israel would continue with its war “for many more months.” Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) condemned the congressional bypass, saying it was “keeping the American public in the dark.” (AJ, AX, HA, REU 12/29; AJ, AJ, HA, NYT 12/30)

Walla News reported that Qatari officials have told Israel that Hamas is ready to resume negotiations. Hamas officials have continuedly stated that they will not negotiate while under attack. (AJ, AX 12/29)

Israel claimed the Colombian foreign minister Alvaro Leyva had accepted an invitation by its foreign minister Eli Cohen to discuss repairing ties after Colombia recalled its ambassador to Israel and Colombian president Gustavo Petro called Israeli attacks on Gaza “genocidal.” (AJ 12/29)

Berlin police banned a pro-Palestinian demonstration planned for 12/31. (HA 12/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole 6 sheep during a raid in Qusra. Israeli forces shot and injured 6 Palestinians during raids in Askar refugee camp, Surif, Dahariya, and Asira ash-Sharmaliya. 28 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Tubas, Dahariya, Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Qalandia. In Gaza, Israeli forces bombed az-Zawayda, Rafah, Khan Yunis, Jabalia refugee camp, and central Gaza, killing more than 297 Palestinians. Israeli forces also opened fire at a Gaza Ministry of Health warehouse, injuring 3 people. 3 Israeli soldiers were killed in combat. In Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes destroyed 5 homes and damaged others in Aitaroun and attacked areas near Yaroun, Rmeish, and Aita al-Shaab. Hezbollah said it had wounded several Israeli soldiers in attacks on Israel. In Syria, Israeli forces attacked areas around Damascus, causing damage. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/10; AP, HA, NYT, NYT, UNOCHA 12/11)

More than 18,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 7,729 children and 5,153 women, and around 49,300 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 267 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 69 children. More than 3,387 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7. 101 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. As of 12/3, at least 52,000 housing units had been destroyed and 253,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. Around 100 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza. 25 injured Palestinians and 468 dual nationals were evacuated to Egypt. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 12/10)

The Israeli military said 1,593 Israeli soldiers have been wounded since 10/7, including 255 who were in serious condition and 446 who were moderately injured. Of these, 559 were said to have been injured in Gaza. 425 soldiers have been killed since 10/7, including 97 since the ground invasion began. Haaretz said a comparison of numbers between hospital reports and the military reporting showed a significant gap, indicating that the military was underreporting the number of injuries. (HA 12/10)

The Palestinian Prisoners Society said Israel has abducted 142 Palestinian women and children and taken them to prisons in Israel. (AJ, WAFA 12/10)

The Israeli socioeconomic cabinet voted unanimously against lifting the ban on entry for Palestinian workers from the West Bank into Israel. The security cabinet later postponed voting on the recommendation after it became clear that most ministers would vote against allowing Palestinian workers to enter Israel again. Israel is having a labor shortage after expelling all Palestinian workers from Gaza and the West Bank and is expecting thousands of workers from India and Nepal to arrive within 2 weeks. (HA 12/10; HA, HA 12/11)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh told the Doha Forum that the PA’s “main concern is not the day after. It is today. We want the stop of atrocities and genocide that is happening today,” and called for sanctions on Israel. Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi said Israel is trying to “empty Gaza of Palestinians” calling its campaign “genocide.” UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said the UN Security Council was paralyzed due to geopolitical divisions and said he would not give up on a ceasefire. Shtayyeh also met with Algerian foreign minister Ahmed Attaf and Qatari prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on the sidelines of the Doha Forum. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/10)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Russian president Vladimir Putin. In an Israeli readout of the conversation, Netanyahu was said to have expressed displeasure with the Russian stance against Israel at the UN. The Russian readout said the main focus of the conversation was the “catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.” Later during a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu thanked the U.S. for providing “important ammunition” for Israel to continue attacking Gaza and for the U.S. veto at the UN Security Council on 12/8. A spokesperson for Netanyahu said that Israel is not seeking to force the Palestinian population to flee Gaza. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU 12/10; HA 12/11)

Egypt and Mauritania invoked UN Resolution 377, prompting UN General Assembly president Dennis Francis to convene a special session of the General Assembly on 12/13. Resolution 377, adopted in 1950, allows the General Assembly to act if the UN Security Council fails to “exercise its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.” (AJ 12/10; AP, REU 12/11)

The WHO executive board approved a resolution calling for the “immediate, sustained, and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief, including the access of medical personnel” to Gaza. (WAFA, WAFA 12/10; AJ 12/11)

UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini said dehumanization of Palestinians allowed the international community to accept the continued Israeli attacks in Gaza. (REU 12/10) 

The New York Times reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu had encouraged Qatari payments to Gaza to keep Hamas as a strong counterweight to the PA as this would lessen pressure on Israel to negotiate a 2-state solution. (NYT 12/10)

The Israeli Finance Ministry said the Israeli budget deficit rose by $4.5 billion in November, citing expenses due to Israel’s war on Gaza. (REU 12/10)

Moroccan protesters in Rabat called on the Moroccan government to cut ties with Israel. (REU 11/10)

Reuters reported that Russian deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bodanov had spoken to officials from Hamas and other Palestinian factions, saying they should release the remaining captives. (REU 12/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces injured 2 Palestinians with stun grenade shrapnel during a raid in ‘Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians, including 1 minor, during a raid in al-Arroub refugee camp. 17 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron, Dura, Sa’ir, Beit Umar, Beit Kahel, Surif, ‘Azzun, Jenin, and Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jabel Mukaber and Biddu. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian fisherman with a baton round and arrested 2 others northwest of Rafah. (WAFA, WAFA 9/11; PCHR 9/14; UNOCHA 9/26)

10 Palestinians were killed and dozens injured during fighting in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in Lebanon over the weekend. Fighting reignited on 9/7 after a month of relative quiet. A ceasefire was declared later in the day after Lebanese general Elias al-Baysari met with members of Palestinian factions at his office in Beirut. (AJ, ALM, AP, REU 9/11)

The Jerusalem District Planning Authority approved the construction of 2 new Israeli settlements, Kidmat Tzion and the Hebron Strip, which is an extension of Givat Hamatos, in East Jerusalem. Kidmat Tzion lies within Ras al-Amud and will have 385 housing units. The plan was pushed by the Ateret Cohanim settlement organization which presented the plans in April. The Hebron Strip, of which 2/3 is in East Jerusalem, will have 3,500 housing units, a hotel, and a commercial area. (PCN 9/8; HA 9/11)

Al-Quds newspaper reported the U.S. has supplied the PA with armored vehicles, bullets, tear gas, sound bombs, riot shields, and k-9s with the approval of Israel. Palestinian and Israeli sources later told Haaretz that the U.S. had only transferred armored vehicles to the PA. The U.S. State Department denied that the U.S. had supplied weapons or ammunition. Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of consequences if Israel had allowed weapons to be transferred to the PA. Netanyahu later confirmed that Israel had facilitated the transfer of armored vehciles to the PA, but not weapons. The PA said it had not received equipment from Israel. Hamas said the reported transfer will only bolster the interests of the occupation.  (QDS 9/11; QDS 9/12; HA, HA, HA, QDS, WAFA 9/13; MDW 9/14; ALM 9/15)

The Israeli broadcaster Kan reported that the Israeli military had admitted to mistakenly shooting 3 Palestinians during a raid in Jenin on 8/28, injuring the 3, including 1 who is now a paraplegic. None of the Palestinian victims were interrogated after being dropped off at different hospitals. (TOI 9/11; MEMO 9/12)

Haaretz reported that Israeli police had banned vendors in the Old City of Jerusalem from selling t-shirts featuring the Palestinian flag, the Palestinian key, and other Palestinian symbols and slogans. (HA 9/11; MEMO 9/12)

4 Palestinian border police officers were sentenced to between 4 years in prison and community service for attacking and robbing Palestinians entering Israel via a hole in the separation wall south of Hebron. (HA 9/11; MEMO 9/12)

Israel’s Interior Ministry said that Palestinian Americans living in Gaza who are not considered a security threat by Israel will be able to enter Israel on a B2 tourist visa and use Israeli airports. First-degree Palestinian American relatives of people living in Gaza will also be allowed to visit Gaza for up to 90 days once a year. The policy change was part of Israel’s efforts to be admitted to the U.S. Visa Waiver program. (MEE, MEMO, REU 9/11)

U.S. assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs Barbara Leaf met with Israeli officials, reportedly discussing Palestinian demands related to the Israel-Saudi normalization deal. Israeli national security advisor Tzachi Hanegbi said at a conference at Reichman University that he is in talks with the PA about their demands but had threatened that if the PA approach the ICJ Israel will sever security and political ties. (HA, HA, QDS 9/11)

More than 20,000 people were feared dead after a storm broke 2 dams near the eastern Libyan city of Derma. At least 23 Palestinians died in the flood. The PA’s Emergency Intervention and Response Team arrived in Libya on 9/13 to assist with finding survivors. The storm also caused flooding in Gaza, damaging infrastructure and homes. (WAFA, WAFA 9/11; AJ, HA, NYT, WAFA 9/12; AJ, AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/13; AJ, QDS 9/14; AP 9/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces fired flare grenades at agricultural lands near Burqa, causing fires. Israeli forces also issued 19 stop-work orders for homes, a landfill, an agricultural site, and 2 roads in Qarawat Bani Hassan. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jenin refugee camp, Surif, Sa’ir, Bayt Rima, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian minor was arrested at the Bab el-Khalil in the Old City after allegedly stabbing and injuring 2 Israeli settlers. Israeli forces also demolished 2 homes, 10 commercial structures, and a barn in ‘Anata. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jabel Mukaber. (AP, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/6; MDW, PCHR 9/7; UNOCHA 9/26)

Palestinian Canadian real estate developer Khaled al-Sabawi filed a lawsuit against 6 Israeli settlers, the Israeli police, and Israeli military in the Tel Aviv District court seeking $5.2 million in damages over Israeli settler attacks on a planned residential site near Turmus ‘Ayya he has been developing. The site is located in Area B and has, according to the lawsuit, been raided 74 times between 2019 and 2022, with damage recorded 26 times and workers and clients physically assaulted on 19 occasions. (HA 9/6)

Irish foreign minister Micheál Martin met with PA president Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. Martin met with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahyu on 9/5. (HA, WAFA 9/6)

Former Mossad director Tamir Pardo told AP that “[t]here is an apartheid state here [referring to the West Bank]. In a territory where two people are judged under two legal systems, that is an apartheid state.” Pardo further said “Israel needs to decide what it wants. A country that has no border has no boundaries.” (AJ, AP, GDN, MEE 9/6; MDW, MEE 9/7; WAFA 9/8)

23 U.S. based rights organizations called on U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken to override Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) and Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX)’s block on the State Department delivering $75 million in U.S. food assistance to Palestinians through UNRWA. (HA 9/6)

Israel and Russia signed an agreement for cooperation in the field of cinema. (HA 9/7)

Moroccan Senate chairperson Enaam Mayara said he had to postpone his visit to the Knesset 1 day before being scheduled to deliver a speech to the parliament, citing a medical emergency. (AP 9/6; ALM, HA 9/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor and injured 3 others during a late-night raid in Kafr Dan, where Israeli forces took measurements to punitively demolish the family home of 2 Palestinians killed in an exchange of fire at the Jalamah checkpoint on 9/14. The PA called on the U.S. to pressure Israel into ending its deadly nightly raids and condemned the killing. Israeli forces also fired tear gas near a school in Burin, prompting an evacuation of the students. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered stop-work notices for 5 industrial structures in Qarawat Bani Hassan. Israeli forces also raided al-Twana to pray and attend a lecture in the middle of a populated street in the early hours of the night; Israeli settlers claim that a synagogue once stood in the village. 1 Israeli settler was shot and injured at the Carmel settlement; there was no information about the suspect. 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Sa‘ir, Yatta, Surif, Hebron, Kafr Ra‘i, Jaba‘, and Kafr Dan. In East Jerusalem, former MK Yehuda Glick toured the Bab al-Rahma area of the Haram al-Sharif compound, raising an Israeli flag and blowing a shofar. Israeli forces fired tear gas into the schoolyard of Isawiya high school for boys, injuring 5 students with tear gas. 3 Palestinian minors were arrested at the Haram al-Sharif compound. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, JP, MDW, MEE, PCHR, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/15; MEMO 9/16; HA 9/21; PCHR 9/22; HA 9/23; UNOCHA 9/30)

The Israeli state attorney’s office closed an investigation into the killing of a 17-year-old Palestinian citizen of Israel by an Israeli police officer in May 2021 in Umm al-Fahm, saying it found no evidence of wrongdoing. The family of the Palestinian minor said the process relating to the long investigation had been abusive and that they believe the killing was unjustified. (HA 9/15)

Hamas announced that it had fully restored ties with Syria after severing ties in 2012 due to the outbreak of the Syrian civil war. (MEMO, MEMO 9/16; MEE 9/18; ALM 9/22; ALM 9/24; AJ 9/25)

The PLO executive committee confirmed that it supports PA president Mahmoud Abbas’s bid to have Palestine become a full member of the UN. President Abbas is expected to give a speech on 9/23 at the UN general assembly seeking recognition for the state of Palestine. (WAFA 9/15)

The Balad party announced that it is not running as part of the Joint Arab List at the next Israeli elections. The Joint Arab List now consists of the Hadash and Ta‘al parties. (HA 9/15; AP, JP, TOI 9/16)

U.S. senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) said in a statement that the Leahy Law, prohibiting military aid to countries that violate human rights, should apply to Israel if Shireen Abu Akleh was killed intentionally. In the statement, he questioned Israel’s probe, which found that Abu Akleh was not killed intentionally, saying, “[i]f, as the Israeli authorities appear to be saying, the soldier missed who he was aiming at and hit Ms. Abu Akleh by mistake, who was he aiming at? What evidence is there, if any, that anyone in the immediate vicinity of where Ms. Abu Akleh was shot was firing at the [Israeli] soldier who killed her?” Senator Leahy’s statement comes 1 day after the senate foreign relations committee demanded a report from the state department regarding the killing of Abu Akleh. (AJ 9/15; MEE 9/16; GDN 9/26)

Chilean president Gabriel Boric postponed the acceptance of the Israeli ambassador’s credentials due to Israel’s killing of a 17-year-old Palestinian in the West Bank (see above). Israel said that the Chilean foreign ministry had apologized to the Israeli government for the situation. The Israeli ambassador had reportedly arrived at the president’s residence when he was told about the postponement. (HA, TOI 9/15; AP, HA, JP, MEE, NA, REU, WAFA 9/16; AJ, REU 9/17; HA 9/18)

A delegation of officials from the UAE, led by foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, visited Israel for meetings with Israeli president Isaac Herzog and other officials to celebrate the 2-year anniversary of the 2 countries’ normalization deal. (MEMO, REU 9/14; ALM, HA 9/15)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes intensify, leaving 1 Palestinian dead. After Palestinians fire 4 homemade mortars at Dugit, Aley Sinai settlements in Gaza overnight, the IDF seals the Strip, blocks roads across Gaza to divide the Strip in half, punitively destroys 2 PA Preventive Security Force (PSF) outposts. Later in Gaza, 2 large roadside bombs explode on roads used by IDF convoys, lightly injuring 1 soldier. The IDF shells Palestinian residential areas in Bayt Lahia (destroying 1 PSF outpost, severely damaging a 2d), al-Bireh, Jinin; bulldozes Palestinian land nr. Bayt Lahia, Nablus, Netzarim Junction; conducts arrest sweeps in Surif. Israel says it plans to ease the closure on the West Bank, Gaza further (see 2/20) by allowing food and medicine in, letting agricultural goods out, facilitating the transportation of patients for medical care in Israel. Israel, however, denies exit visas to several Palestinian Council (PC) mbrs. who are scheduled to attend an Arab parliamentary conference in the UAE. (HA, HP 2/23; WP, WT 2/24; LAW 3/1)

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: U.S. district court judge rules Palestinian-American can be extradited to Israel to face charges of murder. Earlier judge ruled that extradition could not take place due to political nature of offense [WP 2/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Fahmah soldiershoot, kill 14-year-old Palestinian. In Khan Yunis troopshoot, injure 3 Palestinians. Troops destroy 4 Palestinian houses in Surif. At least 4 other Palestinians are injured throughout O.T. [FJ 2/6].

Arab World: Palestinian guerrillas clash with SLA in southern Lebanon; 3 Palestinians are killed [MET 2/14]. 

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Surif troops open fire on demonstrators, kill 22- year-old Palestinian, wound 2. In Khan Yunis 5 Palestinians are wounded in clashes with soldiers. Demonstrations leave 3 Palestinians injured in Beach camp. At least 4 more Palestinians are shot in W. Bank [FJ 2/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli forces demolish homes of 5 members of Palestinian cell captured or killed in hills south of Hebron 10/6. Surif village placed under curfew during demolitions [JP 10/9].

Arab World: Two senior PLO officials leave for Cairo to help Egyptian officials negotiate with the Achille Lauro hijackers [LAT 10/9]. Arafat tells Italian P.M. Bettino Craxi he "entirely condemns" the hijacking and does not know who is responsible [MG 10/9]. The Damascus-based faction of the Palestine Liberation Front, headed by Tala'at Ya'qub, denounces the hijacking of the Achille Lauro as piracy. An anonymous caller to Agence France Presse says the Abu al-'Abbas faction of the Palestine Liberation Front, allied with Fateh, is responsible for the hijacking [NYT 10/10].

Other Countries: U.S. seeks to obtain worldwide guarantee that no country will allow the Achille Lauro to dock in its port while the hijackers are still in control. Italy rejects use of force to try to rescue passengers on Achille Lauro [LAT 10/9]. Dutch Def. Min. Job de Ruiter announces Dutch troops will be withdrawn from UN peacekeeping force deployed north of Lebanese-Israeli border because of "concern for their safety" [MG 10/9].

Military Action

Arab World: Achille Lauro steams toward Syria, then Cyprus; is refused entry at both. Ship retums to Egyptian coast, hijackers begin negotiations with Egyptians [NYT 10/13].

Other Countries: U.S. guided missile destroyer Scott cuts short shore leave in Haifa to monitor hijacked Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro in Eastem Mediterranean [NYT 10/9].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Farmers from Surif and Jib'a villages near Hebron claim settlers have recently prevented them from entering 2,000 dunums of their land planted with olive and other trees [JP 9/4].

Arab World: Yasir Arafat arrives in Cairo for talks with 'Usama al-Baz, Pres. Mubarak's chief political advisor UP 9/5].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldier Avraham Sorek, 37, stabbed to death, another soldier seriously wounded by two unidentified men in Hebron's old marketplace. Hebron declared "closed military area"; many arrests reported. Sorek is 15th Israeli killed this year, allegedly by Palestinian guerrillas [NYT, WP, LAT, FT 9/4; LT 9/5].

Arab World: Fighting breaks out between Palestinian and Shi'ite militiamen around Burj al-Barajinah refugee camp in southem Beirut [MG 9/12]. Car bomb explodes at a South Lebanon Army checkpost; Israeli sources say only the driver, Ahmad Husayn Khadr, 24, is killed. Pro-Syrian Lebanese Ba'th party claims responsibility, states 30 SLA militiamen died in attack [WP, NYT, PI 9/4]. Beirut radio states SLA gunners shell 10 villages in retaliation [WP 9/4].

Other Countries: Attacker believed to be linked to Black September organization throws two hand grenades into Greek hotel, injuring 18 British tourists. Woman telephones Greek newspaper threatening Black September will "fill Athens with bombs" unless Greek police release Palestinian arrested 8/31 near Jordanian embassy with suitcase full of weapons [PI 9/4].