5 / 15150 Results
  • February 26, 2023

    In the West Bank, 2 Israeli settlers were shot and killed while driving through Huwwara. Around 400 Israeli settlers then raided Huwwara and the surrounding villages ‘Asira al-Qibliya, Za’atara,...

    Read more
  • June 15, 2022

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered demolition notices for 6 houses and 2 commercial structures in Ar-Rafaiya in the Masafer Yatta area and stop-work orders for 7 houses under construction...

    Read more
  • March 9, 2022

    In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian who was shot by Israeli forces during a protest in Burqa on 3/1 succumbed to his wounds. Israeli settlers uprooted and stole grape saplings and damaged a stone wall...

    Read more
  • September 30, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers planted olive saplings on Palestinian-owned land in Tuqu‘. Israeli soldiers shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a late-night raid in Burqin; 2 others were...

    Read more
  • September 21, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized 1 Palestinian-owned truck in al-Khader. Israeli forces also issued an order that it will seize around 50,000 dunams (12,355 acres) of land in and around...

    Read more

In the West Bank, 2 Israeli settlers were shot and killed while driving through Huwwara. Around 400 Israeli settlers then raided Huwwara and the surrounding villages ‘Asira al-Qibliya, Za’atara, Yasuf, Odala, and Burin in what was described as a pogrom, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding more than 200, and damaging 75 houses, including 35 that were burned, and 265 cars over a 5-hour period. 6 Israeli settlers were reportedly arrested, 4 of whom were released on restrictive conditions. The mayor of Huwwara estimated that around $5 million worth of property was damaged. Israeli soldiers were criticized for being present without preventing the attacks. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in Tuqu’. Israeli forces also seized 1 vehicle and 2 tractors in Khirbet Humsa and leveled land in Birin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land northeast of Beit Hanun. (AJ, ALM, BBC, F24, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/26; AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AP, AX, GDN, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, MEE, NYT, PCHR, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/27; AJ, ALM, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, WAFA 2/28; GDN, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA 3/1; HA, HA, PCHR 3/2; WAFA 3/3; HA, UNOCHA 3/4; HA, HA, HA 3/5; HA 3/6; HA 3/14)

In response to the events in Huwwara, PA president Mahmoud Abbas called the raid terrorism and said he held the Israeli government responsible. Palestinian MK and leader of the Ta‘al party Ahmad Tibi compared the settler raid to Kristallnacht. MK for the Otzma Yehudit Party Zvika Fogel expressed support for the settler raid, saying it was a useful deterrence against attacks on Israeli settlers. Opposition leader Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid responded by saying “MK Fogel must go to jail for inciting terror.” Israel’s chief of the central command Yehuda Fuchs called the settler attacks a pogrom. U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that the U.S. condemns “today’s violence in the West Bank, including the terrorist attack that killed two Israelis and settler violence, which resulted in the killing of one Palestinian, injuries to over 100 others, and the destruction of extensive property.” Price later said that the U.S. expects Israel to hold the perpetrators accountable and compensate lost homes and property. The UK ambassador to Israel Neil Wigan said that “Israel should tackle settler violence, with those responsible brought to justice.” (HA, WAFA 2/26; AJ, ALM, AX, HA, HA, HA, MEE, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/27; HA, HA, MEE, MEE, WAFA 2/28; REU 3/1)

The Knesset’s ministerial committee for legislation approved a bill that will legalize the death penalty for Palestinians charged with terrorism against Israelis. (HA, JP, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 2/26)

Officials from the PA, Israel, the U.S., Egypt, and Jordan attended a summit in Aqaba, Jordan, to discuss the deterioration of security in the West Bank. A joint communique stated that Israel and the PA “confirmed their joint readiness . . .  to end unilateral measures for a period of 3-6 months. This includes an Israeli commitment to stop discussions of any new settlement units for 4 months and to stop authorization of any outposts for 6 months.” The parties agreed to meet again in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt next month. Israel’s national security advisor Tzachi Hanegbi said Israel would not roll back the decision to legalize nine settlement outposts and to advance 9,500 settlement housing units. The new head of the Israeli Civil Administration, finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, said on Twitter “there will be no settlement freeze. Not even for one day,” and that the Israeli military would continue to conduct raids in all areas of the West Bank. Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu also later said that “[t]here will not be any freeze.” Hamas condemned the PA for partaking in the summit. (MEE 2/25; AJ, AJ, ALM, BBC, DOS, F24, HA, HA, HA, MEE, NYT, REU, REU, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/26; AJ, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, REU 2/27; MEE 2/28; HA 3/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered demolition notices for 6 houses and 2 commercial structures in Ar-Rafaiya in the Masafer Yatta area and stop-work orders for 7 houses under construction in Marda. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Kharbatha al-Misbah, Nablus, Aida refugee camp, and Yatta. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolished 3 Palestinian homes: 2 in Sur Baher and 1 in Bayt Hanina. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian farmers east of Beit Hanun; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/15; MEMO, PCHR 6/16; UNOCHA 7/2)

Haaretz reported that settler violence against Palestinians has been raising in 2022, with more than 400 recorded incidents in the 1st half of the year, compared to 650 recorded incidents in all of 2021. A source in the Israeli military told Haaretz that the military is aware of the situation and is seeing an increase in radicalized Israeli settlers. The Israeli military recorded 360 incidents of Israeli settler violence in the West Bank against Palestinians in 2019; in 2020 the number increased to 500, before in increasing to 650 last year. (HA 6/15)

An Israeli police investigation into the attacks on the funeral procession for Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh on 5/13 found that Israeli police had acted with misconduct, but no commanders were disciplined. According to the Haaretz source, the decision not to discipline any of the commanders responsible was made before the investigation started. The report was also not released to the public. (TOI 6/15; AJ, F24, HA, JP, MEE 6/16)

An Israeli court found former Gaza director of the charity World Vision, Mohammad El Halabi, guilty of membership of a terrorist organization, providing information to a terror group, taking part in forbidden military exercises, and carrying a weapon. The purported evidence against El Halabi is kept secret and the guilty verdict was in part based on a confession given under duress to an informant. World Vision, independent audits, and the Australian government have all said they have found no evidence of wrongdoing by El Halabi since he was 1st arrested in 2016. El Halabi has declined multiple plea deals that would have seen him released before the upcoming sentencing, refusing to enter a plea for a crime he says he is innocent of. (WAFA 6/14; AP, HA, NYT, REU 6/15; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/16; WAFA 6/19)

Palestinian officials said that the U.S. had refused Palestinian calls for peace negotiations, claiming that the Israeli political situation is too sensitive. The request was made during the weekend, when top Palestinian officials met with U.S. secretary of state for Near East affairs Barbara Leaf and her deputy Hady Amr in Ramallah ahead of president Joe Biden’s visit to Palestine, Israel, and Saudi Arabia on 7/13-7/16. Israeli sources told Haaretz that Secretary Leaf had asked Israeli politicians to refrain from sending Israeli soldiers into Area A and not to carry out punitive demolitions ahead of President Biden’s visit. Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid said that Israel is seeking peace with Saudi Arabia and elaborated, “I won't say whether we have under-the-radar talks with the Saudis . . . We have a joint interest in the subject of Iran, that it won't become a nuclear threshold state.” (AJ, AP, AX, AX, HA, HA, HA 6/15)

Russia summoned the Israeli ambassador to express “grave concern” over an Israeli air strike that damaged the Damascus International Airport on 6/10. The Russian deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov called Israel’s reasoning for attacking the airport “unconvincing.” (HA, JP, REU 6/15)

Israel, Egypt, and the EU signed a deal to increase the sale of liquified natural gas from Israel to the EU via Egypt, in a stated effort to reduce EU countries’ dependency on Russian gas. The EU also said it would provide Egypt $105 million in aid to help the country cope with the rise in wheat prices. (ALM, AP, REU 6/14; ALM, AP, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU, TOI, WSJ 6/15)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian who was shot by Israeli forces during a protest in Burqa on 3/1 succumbed to his wounds. Israeli settlers uprooted and stole grape saplings and damaged a stone wall and barbed wire fence in Kafr ad-Dik. Israeli settlers also razed a plot of land near Battir. Israeli forces violently dispersed a memorial service held for a Palestinian killed by Israeli forces on 3/1 at the Khadouri Technical University campus north of Hebron, injuring 3 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also confiscated 2 water pumps and electric cables in Birin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in Khallet al-Eideh near Hebron and assaulted 2 Palestinians resisting the demolition. Israeli forces also delivered a demolition order for a residential structure in the Abu al-Nuwwar Bedouin community east of Jerusalem. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jalazun refugee camp, al-Ram, Deir Abu Mash‘al, Tuqu‘, Hebron, Yatta, al-Zawiya, Jenin, and Fahma. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian house under construction in Shu‘fat refugee camp. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Beit Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian famers east of Beit Hanun and Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. In Israel, anti-Palestinian graffiti was sprayed on 1 Palestinian vehicle and the tires of 30 vehicles were slashed in Jaljulia. (HA, HA, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/9; MEMO, PCHR 3/10; UNOCHA 3/11; UNOCHA 3/25)

Israel’s police commissioner Kobi Shabtai instructed the Israeli police to halt Palestinian home evictions and demolitions in East Jerusalem and the Naqab during the month of Ramadan. (HA 3/9)

The Israeli civil administration said, after having to respond to a freedom of information petition from HaMoked, that during 2021 it had banned 10,594 Palestinians from the West Bank from traveling abroad. According to a source in the civil administration, travel bans can be applied to Palestinians by Israel automatically, for example, in cases where the person is a relative of someone deemed by Israel to be involved with terrorism. (HA, MEE 3/9; MEMO 3/10)

PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh met with Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid. Civil Affairs Minister al-Sheikh said he stressed to Lapid the need for a political horizon and an end to Israeli settlement expansion. (WAFA 3/9)

The Jewish Agency said that “[i]f all goes well, we will bring tens of thousands [of Ukrainians] to Israel in the coming year,” referring to the refugee crisis in Ukraine as Russia has declared war on the country. (HA 3/9)

Israeli president Isaac Herzog met with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara. President Erdoğan told reporters after the meeting that he believes the 2 countries are entering an era of mutual ties. (AJ, ALM, AP, AX, HA, NYT, REU 3/9; HA, TOI 3/10)

Former U.S. vice president Mike Pence toured Hebron, including al-Ibrahimi Mosque, with Israeli settler activists MK Itamar Ben-Gvir and Baruch Marzel, who were both leaders of the Kach movement. Vice President Pence also received an honorary degree from the settler university in Ariel and met with former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, current prime minister Naftali Bennett, president Isaac Herzog, and foreign minister Yair Lapid. (AX 3/9; AP, HA, WAFA, WP 3/10; MEMO 3/11)

Belgium signed a cooperation agreement with the PA worth $77 million over 5 years. The funding is earmarked for education, vocational training, job creation, and climate issues in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza. (WAFA 3/9; MEMO 3/10)

China donated 200,000 doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines to UNRWA to help inoculate Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. (WAFA 3/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers planted olive saplings on Palestinian-owned land in Tuqu‘. Israeli soldiers shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a late-night raid in Burqin; 2 others were injured. It was later revealed that the man was a member of Islamic Jihad. Israel claimed that the man was shooting at the Israeli troops with an improvised Carl Gustaf rifle. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during late-night raids in al-Azza refugee camp and Aida refugee camp, 1 on a street in the Old City in Hebron and 1 at Checkpoint 300. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian woman in the Old City, claiming she had tried to stab Israeli soldiers. Israel said Israeli soldiers had asked her to identify herself and started inspecting her belongings when she pulled a knife. 2 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian bird hunter east of Gaza City. Israeli forces also opened fire east of Beit Hanun; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/30; PCHR 10/1; PCHR 10/7)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas extended the COVID-19-related state of emergency by 30 days. The state of emergency has been in place since March 2020, when the pandemic hit Palestine. (WAFA 9/30)

In Lebanon, Hezbollah said it had shot down an Israeli drone in south Lebanon near Yater. Israel confirmed that 1 of its drones had “fell within Lebanese territory.” (HA 9/30)

Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid visited Bahrain, meeting with king Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and prime minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. During the trip, Foreign Minister Lapid inaugurated the new Israeli embassy in Manama. (AJ, AJ, ALM, HA, HA 9/30; ALM, HA 10/1)

The EU contributed $5.8 million to the UNRWA in support of vulnerable families in Gaza. (WAFA 9/30)

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

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

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

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

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

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