The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers bring their cattle to graze on Palestinian farmland in Khirbet al-Farisiyya, destroying crops. Armed Israeli settlers force 4 Palestinian families to leave their homes in Kisan. Israeli forces shoot 5 Palestinians with live ammunition, killing 1 child and wounding 5, and shoot 8 others with baton rounds during a raid in Beit Umar. Israeli forces also seize building equipment and arrest 4 Palestinians during a raid in Deir Balut. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 18 Palestinians during raids in Jericho, Hebron, Qalqilya, Nablus, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers tour the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces demolish the home belonging to the prominent Palestinian activist Fakhri Abu Diab in Silwan, displacing 10 people. The U.S. and EU condemn the demolition. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Nuseirat refugee camp, Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis, and Gaza City, killing at least 103 people, including Al Jazeera guest analyst Ayman Rafati and his family in an airstrike on Gaza City. Rockets are fired at Zikim and Ashkelon; no damage is reported. In Lebanon, Israeli forces attack Nabatieh and as-Sawana, killing 11 civilians, including 6 children. Israeli forces also kill a Hezbollah member in Adashit. A Hezbollah strike on a military base in Safed kills 1 Israeli soldier and injures 8 others. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/14; AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, UNOCHA, WAFA 2/15)

More than 28,576 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 11,500 children and 7,200 women, and around 68,291 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 389 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 100 children. More than 4,475 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 230 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,352 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 130 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. The WHO says Israel has prevented the organization from entering the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis since 1/29. (AJ, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 2/14; UNOCHA 2/15)

Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir says Palestinian political leader Marwan Barghouti has been moved to solitary confinement, claiming he was encouraging the outbreak of a third intifada. Hamas has demanded that Barghouti be released as part of a ceasefire deal. (AJ 2/14; AJ 2/15)

Peace Now reports that the Israeli housing ministry has issued tenders for 523 housing units in 10 different settlements in the West Bank since the beginning of 2024. (PCN 2/14)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas issues a statement calling on Hamas to quickly finalize a ceasefire deal to avoid an Israeli invasion of Rafah. The PA requests an extraordinary meeting at the Arab League. (AJ, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA 2/14; HA 2/15)

CIA director Bill Burns meets with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mossad director David Barnea, discussing ceasefire negotiations. Netanyahu orders the Israeli negotiation team not to return to Cairo for further talks. Netanyahu says Israel will “fight until complete victory and this includes a powerful action also in Rafah after we allow the civilian population to leave the battle zones.” Netanyahu speaks with French president Emmanuel Macron, who warns him against invading Rafah. Foreign Minister Israel Katz tells his German counterpart Anna Baerbock that UNRWA cannot be part of humanitarian assistance efforts in Gaza. Finance Minister Bezalel Smtorich and Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer announce a plan to provide cash payments of $550 a month for 2 years to new immigrants who settle in the West Bank and in border regions in the north and south. Communications Minister Shlomo Karni approves the UAE field hospital in Gaza’s use of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service. (AJ, AX, AX, HA, NYT, REU 2/14; AJ, AX, HA, HA 2/15; AJ, HA 2/16)

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi meet in Cairo, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. (AJ, AP, HA 2/14; HA 2/15)

U.S. president Joe Biden signs an executive order preventing Palestinians from being deported from the U.S. for a period of 18 months. The order also compels the Department of Homeland Security to issue work permits to Palestinians in the U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirms that Israel is blocking flour from entering Gaza. The State Department condemns the demolition of Fakhri Abu Diab’s home in East Jerusalem. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, NYT, REU 2/14)

The U.S. House of Representatives passes a resolution 418-0 condemning Hamas over accusations that Hamas used sexual violence during 10/7/2023. (HA 2/14)

Spain and Ireland call on the European Commission to investigate whether Israel is complying with international law. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU, WAFA 2/14)

The Wall Street Journal reports that the U.S. State Department is investigating Israeli usage of white phosphorus in Gaza and Lebanon. (AJ, WAFA 2/15)

The Washington Post reports that the U.S. and several Arab countries will present a long-term plan for establishing a Palestinian state, including Israeli withdrawal from many West Bank settlements, a Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem, the rebuilding of Gaza, and international oversight over the Palestinian governance. (NYT, WP 2/14; HA, HA 2/15; HA 2/16)

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology bans the pro-Palestinian student group Coalition Against Apartheid. (AP, HA 2/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shoot and injure 2 Palestinians, including a child, and set a vehicle and a home on fire during a raid in ‘Asira al-Qibliya. Israeli settlers also assault 2 Palestinians and damage their vehicles after raiding their home in Kisan. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian homes and set a car on fire in Madama. Israeli settlers also demolish 3 structures in Susiya. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers set fire to a vehicle in Huwwara. Israeli forces shoot and injure 4 Palestinians during raid in Tell, al-Ram, Tammun, and Ramallah. Israeli forces also violently disperse a funeral procession in Biddu, injuring 2 people with baton rounds. Elsewhere, Israeli forces arrest 27 Palestinians during raids in and around Hebron, Tubas, Tell, Deir Ghassana, ‘Azzun, and Arrabah. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian child succumbs to injuries sustained from Israeli forces on 2/11 in the Old City. Israeli settlers tour the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Rafah, Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis, and Gaza City, killing at least 164 people, including at least 74 people in Rafah. Israeli forces also shoot and kill 7 and injure at least 14 others at the Nasser Hospital. 3 Israelis soldiers are killed in combat. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb several places, killing 5 members of Hezbollah, including in a home in Chihine. Islamic Jihad says 2 of its fighters were killed by Israel near the Blue Line. In the Red Sea, Houthi fighters attack a cargo ship with naval missiles, saying it is U.S. owned. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/12; AJ, AP, HA, HA 2/13; AJ, AP, HA 2/14)

More than 28,340 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 11,500 children and 7,200 women, and around 67,984 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 387 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 99 children. More than 4,426 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 227 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,326 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 9 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. UNRWA Gaza chief Thomas White says there is an outbreak of hepatitis A and a very high number of Palestinians experiencing diarrhea. (AJ, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 2/12; UNOCHA 2/13)

Israel says it forces rescued 2 Israeli captives from a building in Rafah. Israel says the large-scale airstrikes on Rafah that killed at least 74 Palestinians were a diversion for the rescue mission. (HA, NYT 2/11; AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, UNOCHA, REU, REU 2/12; NYT 2/13)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas meets with Qatari emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha, discussing the possibility of a unity government in Palestine. (HA, WAFA 2/12)

Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah meets with Islamic Jihad secretary-general Ziad al-Nakhalah. (AJ, HA 2/12)

Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich says, “the Egyptians bear considerable responsibility for October 7.” A spokesperson for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry says Smotrich is trying to divert attention from Israel’s own shortcomings. Foreign Minister Israel Katz and Interior Minister Moshe Arbel say UN special rapporteur on the Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese will be banned from Israel, citing her comments that the “victims of 7/10 were not killed because of their Judaism, but in response to Israel’s oppression.” U.S. representative to the UN Human Rights Council Michele Taylor accuses Albanese of having a “history of using anti-Semitic tropes.” (AJ, HA 2/12; AJ 2/13)

U.S. president Joe Biden meets with Jordanian king Abdullah II at the White House. Biden tells the press that Palestinians in Rafah need to be protected. Abdullah II says a lasting ceasefire is needed to protect Palestinians and an Israeli invasion of Rafah would be a catastrophe. (AJ, AX, HA, NYT 2/12; NYT, WAFA 2/13)

The UN Security Council meets to discuss the situation in Rafah and an Algerian draft resolution calling for a ceasefire. Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, says the UN will not play a part in Israel’s plans for evacuation of Rafah, saying “there is no place that is currently safe in Gaza.” ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan says he is deeply concerned about Israel’s plans in Rafah, adding “[a]ll wars have rules and the laws applicable to armed conflict cannot be interpreted so as to render them hollow or devoid of meaning.” Khan also says Israel has not changed its conduct in Gaza and “those who do not comply with the law should not complain later when my Office takes action pursuant to its mandate.” (AJ, HA, NYT 2/12; AJ, HA 2/13)

The U.S. Senate votes 70-29 to approve a bill which if approved by the House and President Biden would provide $95 billion in military aid to Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel, including $14 billion to Israel, ban funding of UNRWA, and provide $9.15 billion in humanitarian assistance to civilians in conflict zones, including in Gaza and the West Bank. Biden calls on the House to immediately approve the Senate bill, which he says, “provides Israel with what it needs to protect its people against the terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah and others.” Before voting in favor of the bill, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) says Israel is committing “textbook” war crimes in Gaza. (HA 2/12; AJ, AP, HA, HA, INT 2/13)

EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borell calls on the U.S. to suspend military aid to Israel saying, “if you believe that too many people are being killed, maybe you should provide less arms in order to prevent so many people being killed.” (AJ, AJ, HA, HA 2/12)

The UK government sanctions 4 Israeli settlers. The PA foreign ministry welcomes the measure but calls it insufficient. (AJ, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 2/12)

A Dutch court orders the Dutch government to halt exports of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel. The Dutch government says it will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 2/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers bring their cattle to graze on farmland in Deir Balut, causing damage to crops. Israeli settlers also fence off a tract of land and begin construction of a settlement road in the Jordan Valley. Israeli forces fatally shoot 2 Palestinians and injure at least 3 others in Nur Shams refugee camp during the second day of its raid in Tulkarm, bringing the total number of casualties to 8 deaths and at least 26 injuries; Israeli soldiers also continue demolishing infrastructure, blow up 3 homes, and prevent medics from reaching wounded Palestinians. Israeli forces also shoot and injure 10 Palestinians, including 2 with live ammunition and 8 with baton rounds, during raids in al-Bireh and al-Am’ari refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces assault 4 Palestinians and injure others with tear gas during a raid in Husan. Israeli forces also demolish several homes and agricultural structures in Duma, displacing around 50 people. Israeli forces arrest 48 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hamala, Hebron, Deir al-Ghusun, Bayt Rima, Balaa, Nablus, Kafr ad-Dik, and Qalqilya. In Gaza, telecommunications services are down for the seventh day in a row. Israeli forces bomb Gaza City, Rafah, Beit Hanun, Beit Lahiya, al-Nuseirat refugee camp, Jabalia refugee camp, Maghazi, and Khan Yunis, killing at least 172 people, including 16 in an airstrike on a home in Rafah and al-Quds TV news director Wael Fanouneh in an airstrike on Gaza City. Israeli forces also demolish al-Israa University in a controlled explosion after using it as a military base. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Aitaroun, Meiss Ej Jabal, Kfar Kila, and Odaisseh, causing damage. Lebanon’s National News Agency says Israel has used white phosphorus in Meiss Ej Jabal. In the Red Sea, the Houthi movement says it has attacked a ship 85 nautical miles off the coast of Yemen with “naval missiles,” causing damage. The U.S. military says it has bombed 2 anti-ship missiles ready to be launched in Yemen. In Iran, Pakistani forces bomb Baluchi separatists, killing 9 people, in what appears to be retaliation for an Iranian strike on Pakistan on 1/16. (NYT 1/17; AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/18; AJ, AP, AP, NYT, REU, REU 1/19)

More than 24,620 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 10,600 children and 7,200 women, and around 61,830 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 361 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 90 children. More than 4,252 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 191 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,178 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 69,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 98 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings. UNRWA says the population of Rafah has quadrupled to more than 1.2 million. (AJ, NYT, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 1/18; AP, HA 1/19)

Lebanese officials say Hezbollah has rejected a U.S. proposal to move its militants further north from the Blue Line to reduce tensions with Israel, but that Hezbollah remains open to U.S. diplomacy to avoid further escalation. (HA, HA, REU 1/18)

A Haaretz investigation reveals that no Palestinian community in Israel is listed as eligible to receive weapons from the National Security Ministry, even as some of the communities are closer to Israeli “borders” than Jewish communities that are deemed eligible. (HA 1/18)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will continue to control all territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean, saying “it contradicts the idea of self-rule [for Palestinians]. So what? I tell this truth to our American friends.” Netanyahu adds, “[t]his conflict is not about a lack of a state, but about the existence of a state.” U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller says in response that U.S. “support for Israel remains ironclad” despite disagreement on the issue. Miller also says that there is “no way” to solve Israel’s long-term security needs without the establishment of a Palestinian state. PA spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh says there will be no security and stability in the region without a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Saudi ambassador to the U.S. Reema bint Bandar Al Saud says any potential normalization agreement with Israel would be conditioned on a ceasefire and an “irrevocable” pathway for a Palestinian state. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AX, HA, NYT, WAFA 1/18; AP, AP, NYT, REU 1/19)

The Israeli cabinet discusses whether to transfer the responsibility of disbursing the PA tax revenue to either Norway or the U.S. The plan, which was brought forward by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, is opposed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and is not voted on. Smotrich’s plan includes forcing the third-party country to also deduct tax revenue that is allocated to Gaza. (HA 1/19)

Israeli war cabinet minister Gadi Eisenkot tells Channel 12 that he helped prevent an Israeli “preemptive strike” on Lebanon on 10/11/2023 and says Israel will not be able to retrieve the captives held in Gaza alive without a deal with Hamas. The Times of Israel quotes National Security Minister Ben-Gvir as telling Israeli soldiers in the West Bank that “[w]hen your life is in danger or [you] see a terrorist – even if he does not endanger you – shoot.” Ben-Gvir’s office later says he told the soldiers to shoot “armed terrorists.”  (AJ, HA, REU, WAFA 1/18; AP, AP, AP, NYT 1/19)

U.S. president Joe Biden responds to a question about the efficacy of the U.S. attacks on Yemen saying “when you say working, are they stopping the Houthis? No. Are they going to continue? Yes.” (AP 1/18; AJ, AP 1/19)

Mexico and Chile refer Israel’s attacks on Gaza to the ICC over possible war crimes. (AJ, AP, HA, REU 1/18; AP, WAFA 1/19)

The European Parliament votes in favor of a permanent ceasefire on the condition that Hamas is dismantled and all captives are released, and for an acceleration of humanitarian aid to Gaza in a symbolic vote that pass 312-131, with 72 members abstaining. (AJ, AP, REU, WAFA 1/18)

Politico reports that U.S. officials have told Israeli leaders to restore telecommunications services in Gaza. (AJ 1/18)

The Financial Times, citing unnamed “senior Arab officials,” reports that Arab states will present a plan that will see normalization of Saudi ties with Israel in exchange for Palestine becoming a full member of the UN, irreversible steps toward Palestinian statehood, and Israel ceasing its attacks on Gaza. (AJ, FT, HA 1/18)

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, a Palestinian man succumbed to injuries sustained during the airstrikes on Tulkarm refugee camp on 11/17. Israeli settlers attacked and wounded several Palestinian farmers in Ramin and vandalized their cars. Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian during a raid in Aqrabat Jaber refugee camp. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians celebrating the release of prisoners near the Ofer Prison, injuring 3 with live ammunition, 4 with baton rounds, and 22 with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and injured 5 Palestinian during raids in Nablus, Deir al-Ghusun, and Tuqu’. Israeli forces also punitively demolished the family home in Rumana of a Palestinian who was shot dead by Israeli police in Tel Aviv earlier this year after he allegedly shot and killed several Israelis. Elsewhere, Israeli forces assaulted 5 Palestinians, arresting them and seizing their vehicles at a flying checkpoint near Aqraba. Israeli forces also assaulted 2 Palestinians during a raid in Taqqou. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians trying to reach the Haram al-Sharif compound from Wadi al-Juz, causing injuries from beatings and tear gas. Israeli forces also raided the homes of 3 Palestinian prisoners in Jabel Mukaber and Bayt Hanina, warning their families not to celebrate their release. In Gaza, before the ceasefire took effect (see below), Israeli forces raided the Indonesian Hospital, killing a wounded woman and injuring 3 others after shelling and destroying the first floor of the hospital. Israeli forces also bombed Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 27 people. After the ceasefire took effect, Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians and wounded 15 others who were trying to return to northern Gaza from the south. Israel said it would not allow Palestinians to return to the north. Israel also said it had completed its operation at al-Shifa Hospital, claiming it had destroyed tunnels. It was also reported that Israeli forces destroyed oxygen pipes and generators at the hospital. Rockets were fired at Israel prior to the ceasefire; no injuries were reported. In Lebanon, Israel shot down a surface-to-air missile fired at an Israeli drone. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, NYT, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/24; AJ, AJ 11/25; HA 11/27)

The Gaza Media Office did not update the casualty numbers, leaving the comprehensive death toll as of 11/23 at around 14,800 Palestinians, including 6,000 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. 222 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. 2 ambulances, 4 trucks carrying diesel, 4 trucks carrying cooking oil, and 137 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. The UN delivered flour to 2 UNRWA facilities in the north of Gaza, the first delivery of aid the north in more than 1 month. 40 people were evacuated from al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City to a hospital in Khan Yunis. Al-Ahli started to admit new patients despite a lack of electricity and essential hospital supplies. Fewer than 400 people fled the northern part of Gaza to the south. 44 wounded Palestinians and their companions were evacuated to Egypt. Thousands of Palestinians stuck in Egypt began returning to Gaza. (AJ, HA, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 11/24)

39 Palestinians were released from the Ofer Prison as part of the prisoner exchange, including 24 women and 15 children. 33 were released to the Beitunia checkpoint, while 6 were released to East Jerusalem. 13 Israelis, 10 Thai nationals, and 1 Filipino national held captive by Hamas were released to Israel via Egypt. Germany said 4 of the Israelis were also German nationals. The Thai and Filipino captives were released in a separate deal made between Hamas and Thailand, brokered by Iran. The director of the Schneider Children’s Medical center in Israel said the captives the hospital had received were in good physical condition. Hamas published videos of its militants handing over captives to the Red Cross. Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh said Hamas was committed to the ceasefire as long as Israel abides by the terms. Head of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club Qadura Fares said Israel had violated the prisoner exchange terms by releasing 7 people who were arrested within the past year instead of prisoners who had been in prison for longer. The Prisoner’s Club also said Israel had imposed a ban on celebrating the release of Palestinian prisoners, imposing fines of $18,700 for public celebrations. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 11/24; AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU 11/25; HA 11/27)

UK foreign secretary David Cameron visited Ramallah, saying the UK has committed an additional $37.8 million in aid to Gaza. Cameron also said that Israel will not have long-term safety and security unless Palestinians have the same, calling settler violence “completely unacceptable” and urging Israel to prosecute the perpetrators. Cameron met with PA president Mahmoud Abbas, who called on the UK to help ensure that Israel will not succeed in separating the West Bank and Gaza or reoccupy it. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh also met with Cameron and met separately with the foreign ministers of Portugal and Slovenia. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/24; AJ 11/25)

At a press conference held at the Rafah crossing, Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez said that a permanent ceasefire was required and said Spain may unilaterally recognize Palestine even if the EU does not. At the press conference, Belgian prime minister Alexander de Croo said “[w]ay too many people have died. The destruction of Gaza is unacceptable.” Israel subsequently summoned the Spanish and Belgian representatives in Israel for a reprimand, prompting Spain to do the same to the Israeli ambassador to Spain. Later in a meeting with de Croo and Sanchez in Cairo, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called for the establishment of a demilitarized Palestinian state with UN, Arab, or NATO forces guaranteeing the peace. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU 11/24; AJ,  HA 11/25; HA 11/26)

U.S. president Joe Biden welcomed the release of the 24 captives from Gaza, saying that there was a chance that the temporary ceasefire could facilitate a longer ceasefire. (NYT 11/24)

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said at a press conference with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau that there should be no forced displacement from occupied Palestine and that a reformed PA should govern Gaza and the West Bank. Von der Leyen also said settler violence had to stop. (HA 11/24)

An Israeli-owned cargo ship was attacked by a drone in the northern part of the Indian Ocean before the ceasefire agreement was implemented. The attack, which caused minor damage, was attributed to Iran by several media outlets. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, REU 11/25)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort raided Duma, setting cars on fire and attacking Palestinians. Israeli forces shot and injured a Palestinian with live ammunition who was trying to fend off the settlers. Israeli settlers also set fire to a tent near Kisan; the Palestinian couple who owned the tent were later reported missing. Elsewhere, an Israeli settler attempted to ram Palestinians on a street in Tuqu’. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling west of Jericho, causing damage. Israeli forces also shot and killed a Palestinian who allegedly attempted to ram soldiers at a checkpoint in Hebron using a tractor. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Arroub refugee camp, killing a Palestinian and injuring 1 other with live ammunition. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed a funeral procession in Beit Umar, killing 1 person and injuring 5 with live ammunition and others with baton rounds and tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and injured 2 people with live ammunition and injured 12 others with tear gas in ‘Ayn Bus. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Huwwara, injuring 3 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at the Jalamah checkpoint, injuring 2 with live ammunition. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Bireh, injuring 1 with live ammunition and 3 with baton rounds. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at a checkpoint near Beit Furik, causing tear-gas related injuries. 40 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, Tulkarm, Nablus, Salfit, Tubas, Qalqilya, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in Isawiya, injuring 1 with live ammunition. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed nearly 200 Palestinians and caused widespread destruction. Near Gaza, Palestinian militants attacked Kibbutz Sa’ad and Kibbutz Be’eri; no injuries were reported. Hamas fired rockets at Jerusalem, hitting targets around the city and in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc, saying it was retaliation for Israeli attacks on civilian targets. Near the Blue Line, mortar shells were fired from Lebanon toward Israel; no injuries were reported. Israel also said it had 3 killed gunmen entering Israel from Lebanon; Hezbollah denied having an active operation into Israel. Islamic Jihad later claimed responsibility. Israel later fired artillery shells at Marwahin and used combat helicopters to attack South Lebanon, killing 5 members of Hezbollah. 3 Israeli soldiers were killed and 5 injured by forces in Lebanon. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AP, HA, HA, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/9; AP, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 10/10; HA 10/11)

The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that as of 9:30 p.m. at least 687 Palestinians had been killed and 3,800 injured in Gaza, while 17 Palestinians, including 4 children, had been killed and 295 injured in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7. Israeli media reported more than 900 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 2,616 injured. Israel said it had hit 500 targets in Gaza overnight and 1,100 since 10/7. Hamas said Israeli airstrikes have killed 4 Israeli captives in Gaza. The UN reported that more than 187,518 Palestinians were displaced, including 137,427 sheltering in UNRWA facilities. 790 housing units were destroyed and 5,330 were damaged since 10/7. (AJ, ALM, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/9; ALM, AP 10/10)

The Israeli emergency rescue organization Zaka said that the bodies of 108 Israelis were found in Kibbutz Be’eri as were the bodies of Palestinian militants. Military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the bodies of 70 militants were found in the town. (HA 10/10; AP 10/11)

Hamas’ Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades spokesperson Abu Obaida said the Qassem Brigades would not negotiate the release of captives while Gaza was being bombarded. Earlier in the day Abu Obaida said Qassam Brigades would begin executing 1 Israeli captive each time Israel bombs a civilian target. There was no indication that the threat was carried out as civilian buildings were being bombed by Israel. Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk told Al Jazeera that Hamas is open to discussing a truce and all political dialogue. Hamas leader Ali Barakeh said only half a dozen members of Hamas planned the attack on Israel on 10/7 and none of its allies were informed but Hezbollah and Iran would join the battle if “Gaza is subject to a war of annihilation.” (AJ, REU, REU, REU 10/9; AJ, AP, HA 10/10)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres, and Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman about the Hamas-Israel war. In a statement, bin Salman’s office said Saudi Arabia “continues to stand with the Palestinian people in their pursuit for their legitimate rights, striving for a dignified life, realizing their hopes and aspirations, and achieving a just and lasting peace.” (AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/9)

Israeli military spokesperson Hagari said Israel had regained control in all communities surrounding Gaza but that Palestinian militants still could be in the area. (HA 10/9)

Reuters reported that Qatar was mediating a prisoner exchange that will see Israeli women and children released by Hamas in exchange for the release of 36 Palestinian women and children from Israeli prisons. Egyptian sources also said that Egypt was in close contact with Israel and Hamas to prevent further escalation, calling on Israel to exercise restraint and Hamas to keep the captives in good condition. (HA, REU, REU 10/9; HA, HA 10/10; HA 10/11)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant said that he had ordered that no power, water, food, or gas enters Gaza, saying “[w]e are fighting human animals and we act accordingly.” His office later said Gallant had ordered the intensity of the Gaza bombings to increase. Several Israeli politicians called for the formation of an emergency unity government, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who said the emergency government should “bring about the complete elimination of Hamas and the terrorist organizations in Gaza.” Benny Gantz’s National Unity party demanded that Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir not be part of the war cabinet and that no legislation unrelated to the war would be promoted. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU, WAFA 10/9; AP 10/10)

Axios reported that Israeli prime minister Netanyahu told U.S. president Joe Biden that Israel will invade Gaza. The Washington Post reported that the U.S. is preparing for a prolonged war in Gaza and is assessing Israeli diplomatic, political, and military needs. The White House briefed members of Congress that Israel will need replenishment for the Iron Dome, ammunition rounds, precision-guided missiles, and small-diameter bombs. Biden said in a briefing that 11 U.S. citizens have been killed by Hamas and that there likely are U.S. captives being held in Gaza. The U.S. also said Iran was complicit in the Hamas attack and warned Iran about getting involved in the fighting. Iran denied any involvement or knowledge. (ALM, HA, HA, REU, REU 10/9; HA, REU, REU 10/10)

Egyptian officials said they had warned Israel about an imminent attack from Gaza. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office denied having received warnings. (HA 10/9)

President Erdoğan spoke to Israeli president Isaac Herzog, urging him to end indiscriminate attacks on Gaza. (AJ, ALM 10/9)

The UN Security Council convened a meeting on the situation in Gaza without releasing a statement. Secretary-General Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire and said 137,000 Palestinians were sheltering in UNRWA facilities. Guterres also said he was deeply distressed by Israel’s decision to prevent all power, food, and gas from entering Gaza. (AJ, AP, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 10/9; AJ, HA 10/10)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken deleted a tweet on X in which he said he “encouraged Turkey’s advocacy for a cease-fire.” The tweet was replaced by language that supported Israel’s “right to defend itself.” (HA 10/9)

Hungary, Bulgaria, and Poland evacuated hundreds of their own citizens and European and Israeli nationals from Israel. (HA, HA 10/9)

The U.S., Germany, the UK, France, and Italy issued a joint statement of support for Israel, saying the countries are coordinating to “ensure Israel is able to defend itself, and to ultimately set the conditions for a peaceful and integrated Middle East region.” (AP, REU 10/9; HA, HA 10/10)

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov condemned violence against Palestinians and Israelis and criticized the U.S. for its “destructive policy” of undermining the Quartet by monopolizing Israeli-Palestinian dialogue during a press conference with Arab League secretary-general Ahmed Aboul Gheit. (REU, WAFA 10/9)

The EU, Germany, and Austria said they suspended all aid to Palestinians in response to Hamas’ operation in Israel. None of the aid in question is delivered to Hamas. Later EU countries, including Ireland, France, Spain, and Luxembourg, objected to the EU Commission's decision and EU Crisis Management commissioner Janez Lanercic said the EU aid would continue. (AJ, HA, REU, REU, REU 10/9; AJ 10/10)

The Bank of Israel said it will sell $30 billion of foreign currency to maintain the shekel’s stability in light of the war with Hamas. The shekel had lost 10% of its value compared to the dollar in 2023 before the war. (AJ, ALM, HA, REU 10/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 1 other at the entrance to the Psagot settlement near al-Bireh. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 4 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 3 with bullet shrapnel, including a doctor and a health worker and 23 others with tear gas. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/29; AJ, HA 9/30; PCHR 10/5)

The Israeli chief of the military central command, Yehuda Fuchs, banned the Israeli settler Elisha Yered from entering the West Bank for 5 months and from contacting 5 other settlers. Yered is 1 of 2 main suspects in the killing of a Palestinian man in Burqa on 8/4. (HA 9/29)

Reuters reported that the Israeli refusal to offer concessions to Palestinians as part of the Israel-Saudi Arabia normalization deal will not hold up the deal, according to 3 sources Reuters spoke to. Axios reported that U.S. president Joe Biden and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to a provision in the normalization deal that would preserve the prospect of a peace deal between Israel and Palestine during their meeting on 9/20. (AX, REU 9/29)

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel, issued a position paper on the legality of the Israeli occupation to the ICJ for the court’s assessment of the issue, saying the occupation is unlawful under international law. (UN, WAFA 9/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted and stole 35 olive tree saplings in Haris. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling east of Bethlehem. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians during a raid in Beit Umar. Israeli forces also raided Qalandia refugee camp, injuring 5 with baton rounds, including 1 who would lose his left eye. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided Ya’bad, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also damaged and uprooted some 300 olive, grape, and fig trees near Haris. Meanwhile, Israeli forces seized water pipelines in Susiya. 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in al-‘Awja, Qalqilya, Balata refugee camp, and az-Zubaidat. In East Jerusalem, Israel forced 1 Palestinian family to demolish part of their own home in Silwan. (QDS, QDS, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/28; PCHR 10/5)

Israel reopened the Beit Hanun (Erez) crossing for the first time in 2 weeks to allow Palestinian workers to enter Israel. The crossing will close again on 9/29. (AP, BBC, HA, HA, QDS, REU, TOI 9/28; AJ 9/29)

The group organizing the daily protests at the Gaza fence for the past 2 weeks, The Young Generation Uprising, announced that it had suspended the protests after mediators promised that Israel will halt punitive measures against Palestinian prisoners, the increased Israeli incursions at the Haram al-Sharif compound, and provide relief for residents in Gaza. (HA 9/28)

Haaretz reported that the Israeli Justice Ministry’s pardons department had approached the family of Mohammed Abu Khdeir, who was killed by 3 Israeli settlers in 2014, asking about the family’s stance on reducing the sentence of the 3, 2 of whom were sentenced to life in prison. Abu Khdeir’s father called the request “completely insane.” The 3 settlers abducted Abu Khdeir and burned him alive in forest near Jerusalem. (HA 9/28)

Israeli attorney general Gali Baharav-Miara approved usage of the NSO Pegasus spyware for wiretapping in the Israeli police investigation into the killing of a Palestinian family of 5 in Basmat Tab’un on 9/27. Israeli police usage of the Pegasus spyware has been banned for 1 and a half years. 190 Palestinians in Israel have been killed in 2023. (AJ, AP, TOI 9/27; HA, HA, MEE, TOI 9/28)

Attorney General Gaharav-Miara also closed an investigation into National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir drawing a gun on a Palestinian security guard in Tel Aviv in 2021, saying it could not be established whether he felt threatened. (HA 9/28)

U.S. senators, led by Jon Ossoff (D-GA), introduced a bill that seeks to strengthen the position of the U.S. security coordinator to Israel and the PA, preventing the position from being downgraded from a general officer and securing $75 million in annual funding for the security coordinator for 5 years. The bill, the Middle East Security Coordination Act of 2023, was co-sponsored by Todd Young (R-IN), James Lankford (R-OK), and Cory Booker (D-NJ). (AX 9/27)

It was reported in Martin Baron’s forthcoming book Collision of Power: Trump, Bezos, and the Washington Post, that former U.S. president Donald Trump wanted to leverage U.S. military aid to Israel to pressure Israel into accepting a peace deal with Palestine but was told he could not since there is not a connection between the two. (MEE 9/28; HA 9/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted olive tree saplings and vandalized agricultural equipment in Qaryut. Israeli settlers also fenced off a tract of land in Ein al-Hilweh in the Jordan Valley. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers pepper sprayed a 4-year-old Palestinian boy in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a raid in Kafr Dan. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian and attacked others with tear gas during a confrontation between Israeli settlers and Palestinians in Khirbet Tana. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at the Gaza fence, injuring 10 with live ammunition and others with baton rounds and tear gas. Israeli forces also conducted air strikes and fired artillery shells at Gaza, injuring 2 and causing damage, saying that 2 fires were started in Israel from incendiary balloons. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/22; WAFA, WAFA 9/23; UNOCHA 9/26; PCHR 9/27)

Jordan and Sweden co-hosted a funding meeting for UNRWA on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly annual meeting. (WAFA 9/22)

South Africa granted Palestinian passport holders 90-days visa free travel in the country. (WAFA 9/22)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the UN General Assembly, saying Saudi normalization will “enhance the prospects of peace with the Palestinians,” while displaying a map depicting the new Middle East after normalization that omitted the West Bank or Gaza. Later in an interview with CNN, Netanyahu said normalization with Saudi Arabia is getting closer every day, parroting the phrasing of Saudi crown prince Mohammad bin Salman and dismissed concerns that his coalition partners would vote against the deal, saying they “talk and talk.” The PA called Netanyahu’s speech “hateful” and “provocative.” (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, NYT, REU 9/22; HA, WAFA 9/23; WAFA 9/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian man near Burqa with stones and pepper spray. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Qaryut, injuring 4 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition and arrested 6 others during a raid in Abu Dis. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities forced 1 Palestinian family to demolish their own home in Jabel Mukaber, displacing 7. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near the Gaza fence, injuring 1 with a baton round and others, including a journalist, with tear gas. Israel later conducted airstrikes and fired artillery shells attacking what it called “Hamas positions,” injuring 1 and causing damage. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/15; WAFA 9/16; QDS 9/17; PCHR 9/21; UNOCHA 9/26)

All crossings from Israel to the West Bank and Gaza were closed due to the Rosh Hashanah holiday. (HA 9/14)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas addressed the Group of 77 + China in Havana. (QDS, WAFA 9/15)

The Palestinian Prisoner’s Club said Israel released Khalil Awawda from the Ofer prison. Israel promised to release Awawda from administrative detention in October 2022 after he went on a 172-day hunger strike but went back on its promise, claiming he had smuggled a phone. Awawda was first arrested on 12/27/2021. (QDS, WAFA 9/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the Bab al-Rahma prayer hall, confiscating items and causing damage. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen northwest of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (QDS, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/8; PCHR 9/14; UNOCHA 9/26)

At least 20 people were wounded in clashes between Palestinian factions in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in Lebanon. Fighting reignited on 9/7 after a month of relative calm. (AJ, AP 9/8; HA 9/9)

Palestinian officials said Israel would reopen the Karim Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing from 9/10. Israel closed the crossing on 9/4. (AJ, AP, HA, REU 9/8)

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Morocco southwest of Marrakesh, killing more than 2,000 people and causing extensive damage in the south of the country. PA president Mahmoud Abbas extended condolences to King Mohammed VI and offered to send PA rescue teams to the country. (AJ 9/8; AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/9; WAFA 9/10)

Apple Inc. made an urgent security update for iPhone operating systems after researchers at The Citizen Lab discovered that the Israeli NSO Group had found a new way of infecting iPhone users with its Pegasus spyware. The Citizen Lab said an iPhone belonging to “an individual employed by a Washington D.C.-based civil society organization with international offices” was targeted by NSO. (CitizenLab 9/7; REU 9/8; HA 9/10)

15 Democrats in the U.S. Senate, led by Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), wrote a letter to U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken urging the Biden administration not to accept Israel into the U.S. Visa Waiver program, saying Israel does not grant equal treatment to Palestinian Americans. (AX, MEE 9/8; HA, WAFA 9/9; TOI 9/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers brought their livestock to graze on Palestinian-owned wheat and barley crops in al-Twana, causing damage. Israeli settlers also stole fencing in Farkha. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers with a military escort toured an archeological site in Jericho. Israeli forces shot and wounded 1 unarmed Palestinian man suffering from physical and cognitive disabilities near the separation wall in Qalqilya. It was reported that the man was injured with Tutu ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 10 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and seriously wounded a Palestinian minor in Silwan, claiming he had thrown a Molotov cocktail at Israeli forces. Israeli forces also shot and wounded 1 Palestinian man driving a car in Shu’fat refugee camp, claiming he was speeding toward them. In the Galilee, Israeli forces prevented thousands of Christians from visiting a church for the celebration of the Feast of the Transfiguration. Church officials said the event was coordinated with Israeli police 2 weeks prior but that Israeli authorities retracted its approval on the day of the event, citing fire risk. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/18; HA, HA, HA, WAFA 8/19; PCHR 8/24; UNOCHA 8/28)

UNRWA said it had suspended its services in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in Lebanon in protest over armed militants operating in its facilities in the camp since violent conflict arose between Fatah and armed Islamist groups on 28 July. UNRWA called on the armed groups to leave its facilities so it can resume its services. (AP 8/17; AJ, AP, REU 8/18)

Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán said Israel and Germany had signed an agreement to jointly manufacture combat drones with Hungary. (HA 8/18)

It was reported that the Israeli government had granted de facto recognition to Israeli settlement outposts that had not received official independent status, allowing the government to fund infrastructure and education in the outposts. The decision has already been approved by the Justice Ministry and will be finalized at the cabinet level in the coming weeks. (HA 8/18)

Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian met with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, discussing future opportunities for cooperation. (AJ, HA 8/18)

PC Magazine reported that X, formerly known as Twitter, will require its subscription users to verify their identify by sending a selfie and a copy of their ID to the Israeli company AU10TIX. (AJ, MEE 8/21)

In the West Bank, about 50 Israeli settlers from the Oz Tzion settlement outpost shot and killed 1 Palestinian, injured 4 others, and set fire to 2 vehicles in Burqa. 2 of the settlers involved were arrested, including Elisha Yered, a former spokesperson for Otzma Yehudit party MK Limor Son Har-Melech. Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the arrested settlers heroes, while National Unity leader Benny Gantz called the incident “Jewish terrorism.” The U.S. condemned the incident as a “terror attack by Israeli extremist settlers.” 4 Palestinians were later arrested on 8/7. An Israeli settler also rammed a Palestinian child in Hebron, causing fractures. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set up a tent on Palestinian-owned land near Tulkarm. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian during a raid in Nur Shams refugee camp. Israeli forces also raided Biddu, injuring Palestinians with tear gas and arresting 2. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beit Dajan; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces assaulted 2 Palestinians in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Deir Istiya, assaulting 1 Palestinian official and causing tear-gas related injuries. In Gaza, Palestinians demonstrated against poor living conditions in several cities and towns. 1 Palestinian minor was injured by an unexploded ordnance that detonated when he touched it. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/4; JP, MEE, NYT, PCHR, REU, WAFA 8/5; ALM, CNN, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, PCHR, REU, TOI 8/6; ALM, ALM, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, WAFA 8/7; AJ, ALM 8/8; HA 8/9; PCHR 8/10; HA, UNOCHA 8/11)

12 Palestinian families comprised of 89 people fled their homes in Ras al-Tin following Israeli settler violence in the area. (WAFA 8/12; AP 8/24)

The UN humanitarian coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory Lynn Hastings said the UN has launched an assessment of how to aid 60 Palestinian herding communities that are affected by Israeli settler violence. (WAFA 8/4)

An open letter, titled “The Elephant in the Room,” began circulating among academics and public figures and received more than 1,100 signatures by 8/11. The letter stated that “[t]here cannot be democracy for Jews in Israel as long as Palestinians live under a regime of apartheid,” and called for an end to Israeli impunity at the UN and restrictions on U.S. military aid. The letter was primarily signed by Israeli and Jewish academics and public figures, including Benny Morris, Avraham Berg, Avi Shlaim, and Ilan Pappe. (Letter 8/4; HA 8/7; MEE 8/8; TOI 8/9; WAFA, WP 8/11; WAFA 8/12; MDW 8/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized some 50 olive trees in al-Khader. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor and injured 1 other with live ammunition while others suffered tear-gas related injuries during a raid in Umm Safa. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian man traveling near Sebastia and injured a passenger, claiming shots were fired from the vehicle. The mayor of Sebastia said more than fifty bullets were fired at the car. The PA called for an international investigation, calling the killing an “execution.” Israeli forces also violently dispersed a funeral procession in Beit Umar, injuring 1 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians holding a sit-in protest in Silwan against Israeli displacement in the neighborhood. In Umm al-Fahm, Palestinian citizens of Israel protested against the Israeli police’s inaction in solving crime in Palestinian towns. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU, REU WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/21; AJ, AN, AP, HA, MEE, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/22; PCHR 7/27; UNOCHA 7/29)

The Portuguese parliament passed a resolution recognizing the Nakba and condemning Israeli expansionism. (QDS, WAFA 7/21; MEMO, NA 7/22; MEE 7/23)

U.S. ambassador Tom Nides ended his tenure as ambassador to Israel. Nides was replaced by acting U.S. ambassador to Israel Stephanie Hallett. Nides had resigned to spend time with his family. (QDS 7/21)

In the West Bank, 3 Israeli settlers, including 2 minors, were shot and injured in a drive-by shooting outside of the Tekoa settlement south of Harmala. Israel said its military had arrested a Palestinian suspect near Bethlehem. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Beitin and Haris, causing damage. Israeli settlers also set fire to olive trees and attacked Palestinian homes in Burin. When Israeli forces arrived, they fired tear gas at Palestinians trying to fend off the settlers. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in Shufa. Israeli forces also shot and injured 2 Palestinians with baton rounds and injured others with tear gas during a raid in Bethlehem. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 1 bulldozer in Barta’a. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tell, Qusin, Yatta, Abu Nujaym, and Arrabah; 1 Palestinian was shot and injured with live ammunition during the raid in Tell. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israel forced 1 Palestinian family to demolish their own home in Silwan. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids. (AJ, HA, MEE, NA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/16; WAFA 7/17; PCHR 7/19; UNOCHA 7/29)

Haaretz reported that Israeli settlers had returned to reoccupy a Palestinian-owned building in a closed military zone in Hebron. (HA 7/16)

The Israeli-run Jerusalem Municipality approved 4 building permits, laying the foundations for construction of the new Israeli settlement Givat Hamatos in East Jerusalem. Applications for construction of 900 housing units are pending approval. (FMEP, Ir Amim 7/21)

Hamas said it was unable to pay around 50,000 public sector workers due to a delay in receiving monthly aid from Qatar. (REU 7/16)

The Israeli foreign and defense ministries amended rules to allow U.S. citizens of Palestinian, Syrian, and Iranian background to enter Israel and Palestine through the Ben Gurion Airport and not have to undergo additional screening at an Israeli embassy. The changes were made to satisfy U.S. demands to admit Israel into the Visa Waiver program. U.S. citizens who live in Gaza will continue to have to go through the Allenby crossing and receive special permission 45 days in advance of their travels. (HA 7/16; HA 7/19)

Ynet reported that Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen met with the foreign minister of an unnamed Muslim-majority country that does not have diplomatic relations with Israel in Nairobi ahead of an African Union summit. (ALM, MEMO, QDS 6/17)

EU representative to Palestine Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff paraglided on a beach in Gaza, saying after his flight “[o]nce you have a free Palestine, a free Gaza, you can do exactly the same thing,” The Israeli Foreign Ministry called von Burgsdorff’s flight a “provocative action.” (REU 7/18; BBC 7/19; MDW 7/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers erected barbed wire fencing near Rujeib. Israeli forces shot and injured 4 Palestinians with baton rounds during a raid in Kafr Qaddum. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a raid in Beit Umar. 2 Palestinian children were arrested in Hebron and a shepherd was arrested while grazing his sheep near Deir Istiya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family was forced to demolish their own home in the Old City. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/8; PCHR 7/13; UNOCHA 7/29)

30 diplomats from EU countries, the UK, Canada, and Norway toured the Jenin refugee camp to inspect the damage done by Israel during its assault on the camp earlier in the week. The tour was made at the request of UNRWA. EU representative to Palestine Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff said during the tour that the EU is “concerned about the deployment of weaponry and weapons systems which question the proportionality of the military during the operation.” (AJ, HA, WAFA 7/8)

Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said that Israeli settlers who shoot at Palestinians when suspecting a crime will no longer have their weapons temporarily confiscated by Israeli forces. (WAFA 7/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shot and injured 1 Palestinian man near Beit Umar, others suffered tear-gas related injuries when Israeli forces intervened on behalf of the settlers. Israeli settlers also set fire to a Palestinian home in Mukhmas, rendering 6 Palestinians homeless. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Ein al-Beida, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, Haris, Huwwara, and Deir Sharaf. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians and injured 3 others during a raid in Nablus, 3 were arrested. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian man while dispersing a protest in Umm Safa; Israeli settlers also attacked the Palestinian protesters with sticks and stones, causing injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 5 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed some 300 Israeli activists from Peace Now using stun grenades. The activists were marching to the Homesh settlement outpost to protest its reopening to settlers. (ABC, AJ, BBC, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, PCHR, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/7; PCHR 7/8; PCHR 7/13; UNOCHA 7/27; UNOCHA 7/29)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Omani foreign minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi. (WAFA, WAFA 7/7)

Head of Hamas’ overseas political bureau Khaled Mashal landed in Algeria for a 3-day visit. Mashal will meet with the leaders of the National Liberation Front and the Ennahda movement during his trip. (QDS 7/8; MEMO 7/10)

The Israeli government told the High Court of Justice that it plans to legalize the Homesh settlement outpost. (HA 7/7)

The Israeli military said it had disciplined 5 soldiers for not obeying standard procedures when striking Gaza during the May 2021 assault on Gaza. The military did not say which incidents the soldiers were disciplined for and the soldiers will not face criminal charges. (AP 7/7; AJ 7/8)

The UN Security Council met to discuss Israel’s attack on Jenin refugee camp earlier in the week at the request of the UAE. The closed-door meeting did not result in any action. (HA 7/8)

An Israeli team of esport players landed in Saudi Arabia for the FiFAe Club World Cup 2023 tournament using their Israeli passports. (HA 7/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces continued their attacks on Jenin refugee camp, killing 4 Palestinians, bringing the death toll to 12, including 5 children. 143 Palestinians were injured during the 48-hour assault on the camp. 1 Israeli soldier was killed by friendly fire. Israeli forces also raided 3 hospitals in Jenin, including the Khalil Suleiman Government Hospital, injuring 3 with live ammunition and causing tear-gas related injuries. The deputy governor of Jenin said that 80% of homes in Jenin were damaged in the Israeli attack. About 4,000 Palestinians were displaced during the attack. UNRWA reported damage to 4 of its schools and 1 of its health clinics in the camp. The Latin Church said that its Holy Redeemer Church in Jenin was severely damaged. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Dan, injuring Palestinians with live ammunition and baton rounds. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Bireh, injuring 2 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also issued stop-work orders for 1 agricultural structure and 1 house and a demolition order for 1 agricultural structure in al-Karmil near Yatta. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian-owned vehicles near Jericho, causing damage. Israeli settlers also raided Deir Dibwan, shooting and injuring 1 Palestinian and throwing stones at vehicles. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Halhul, Jalazun refugee camp, Husan, Tubas, Nablus, and Qalqilya. In Gaza, Israeli forces shot and injured 4 Palestinians protesting Israel’s attack on Jenin at the Gaza fence west of Gaza City. In Tel Aviv, 1 Palestinian was shot and killed after he rammed a car into several Israelis before stabbing others, injuring 8. Israeli forces subsequently raided the family home of the Palestinian man killed in Tel Aviv in as-Samou taking measurements for a punitive demolition. (ALM 7/2; MEE 7/3; AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, GDN, HA, HA, HA, MDW, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEE, NYT, NYT, PCHR, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WP 7/4; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, MEE, NYT, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA 7/5; AJ, AJ, HA, PCHR, UNOCHA, WAFA 7/6; HA, CNN 7/7; UNOCHA 7/8; WAFA 7/10; BBC, UNOCHA 7/11; CBS 7/12; UNOCHA 7/13; UNOCHA 7/26)

Palestinians observed a general strike in protest over the Israeli assault on Jenin. (WAFA 7/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort raided Deir Dibwan, setting fire to trees; 1 Palestinian was injured by live ammunition fired by Israeli forces during the raid. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Beitin and Hebron. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a raid in Nablus. Israeli forces also shot a 5-year-old Palestinian boy in the eye with a rubber-coated bullet in Bizarya; the boy’s eye was later removed at a hospital. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 4 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, causing tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces seized 1 excavator in Dahariya. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Askar refugee camp, Bethlehem, Abu Nuyaim, Beit Umar, Dura, and Tulkarm; 2 Palestinians were injured by Israeli live ammunition during the raid in Askar refugee camp. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/23; WAFA, WAFA 6/24; HA 6/27; PCHR 7/6; UNOCHA 7/8)

The Shin Bet said it had arrested 3 Israeli settlers following several Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian towns and villages in the past week. (AP 6/23)

Representatives from 20 EU countries visited Turmus ‘Ayya to express condolences to the victims of the Israeli settler attack on 6/21. In a statement the countries said as the occupier Israel is obligated to protect Palestinians and prosecute the violent settlers. (WAFA 6/23; HA 6/24)

Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir told Israeli settlers at the partly resettled Evyatar settlement outpost that the settlers should “[r]un to the hilltops” and build settlements “in all the hills around.” Ben-Gvir also called for the Israeli military to “launch a military operation, take down buildings and eliminate terrorists. Not just one or two, but dozens and hundreds and if needed, thousands.” Later on 6/25, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said such calls to grab land are “unacceptable to me.” (HA, WAFA, WAFA 6/23; WAFA 6/24; CNN 6/25)

U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke with his Israeli counterpart Tzachi Hanegbi, expressing concern about Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian villages. Several Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives, including pro-Israel representatives, condemned the settler attacks, as did the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee. Morocco also officially canceled the second summit of the normalization organization the Negev Forum, citing “uncomfortable diplomatic relations.” The summit, scheduled to be held in Rabat, has been postponed since March. (HA, REU 6/23; HA, HA 6/24; HA, WAFA, WAFA 6/25)

U.S. national security spokesperson John Kirby said that U.S. officials had met with victims of the Israeli settler attacks on Turmus ‘Ayya on 6/21 and that U.S. citizens were among the victims. (AJ 6/23)

UN human rights commissioner Volker Türk criticized the Israeli usage of “advanced weapons” in the West Bank this week, saying it was adding to volatility of the situation. For the first time since the Second Intifada, Israel used drones and helicopters to attack Palestinians in the West Bank. (AJ, WAFA 6/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also raided Beit Umar, injuring 2, including a journalist, with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police violently dispersed Palestinians and solidarity activists in the Old City demonstrating against Israeli plans to expel the Sub Laban family from their home. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/16; PCHR 6/22; UNOCHA 7/8)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Kyrgyz president Sadyr Japarov in Bishkek. (WAFA 6/16)

Russia announced that the country and the Israeli-run Jerusalem municipality made an agreement to allow Russia to construct “a complex of buildings and structures used for the need of the branch office of the Consular section of the Russian Embassy in Israel” at a parking lot in Jerusalem. An Israeli official told Haaretz that the agreement was essentially a “real-estate deal” that reinforced the Israeli claim to Jerusalem. (AJ, ALM, HA, REU 6/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort toured Jericho. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 1 with a tear gas canister and others with tear gas. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bani Na’im, Ya’bad, Jalamah, and Burqa. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Umm Tuba. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/2; PCHR 6/8; UNOCHA 6/18)

A Hamas official told Haaretz that Hamas and the PA are working together to pressure Gulf countries to continue funding the World Food Programme cash payments to 200,000 Palestinians in Gaza, which is set to be shut down this summer due to funding cuts. (HA 6/2; MDW 6/10)

Haaretz reported that Israel is allowing 6 settlement outposts to operate in the part of Masafer Yatta that Israel has designated a firing zone and where the Palestinian residents will be forcefully expelled. 3 of the outposts were built after the High Court of Justice ruling in May 2022 allowing the Israeli government to expel the more than 1,000 Palestinians. (HA 6/2; WAFA 6/3)

UNRWA commissioner-general Phillippe Lazzarini said that his agency only had secured $107 million in new contributions of the $300 million needed during a donor conference. UNRWA did not say who had provided the new funds. Lazzarini said before the conference that UNRWA needs $150 million to keep its services running until the end of 2023, $50 million to start 2024 without liabilities, $75 million to keep food programs in Gaza running and $30 million for cash distributions in Syria and Lebanon. (WAFA, WAFA 6/2; AJ, AP, WAFA, WAFA 6/3) 

Mexico upgraded the Palestinian representation in Mexico City to an embassy. (WAFA 6/2)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler was killed near the Hermesh settlement; the Al-Aqsa Martyr’s Brigades took responsibility, calling it revenge for Israeli attacks on the organization. Israeli forces subsequently closed multiple checkpoints in and around Tulkarm. Israeli settlers raided Jalud, throwing stones and attempting to set fire to a house. When Israeli forces showed up, they violently dispersed Palestinian protesters, injuring 3 with baton rounds. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian-owned vehicles traveling near Yasuf and Ya’bad. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers erected tents near Deir Istiya. Israeli settlers also vandalized Palestinian-owned vehicles near the Homesh settlement outpost. Israeli forces raided Askar refugee camp, injuring 1 with a baton round and 44 with tear gas. Israeli forces seized 2 bulldozers and 1 tractor in al-Walaja. Israeli forces also issued stop-work orders for 2 homes and 1 water well in the Masafer Yatta area and 8 stop-work orders for homes in Deir Balut. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided a school in Huwwara, causing tear-gas related injuries. 2 Palestinian minors were arrested during a raid in Silwad. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers, led by former MK Yehuda Glick, toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of Gaza City. In the Naqab, Israeli forces demolished al-Araqib village for the 217th time since 2010. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/30; HA, WAFA, WAFA 5/31; HA, PCHR 6/1; UNOCHA 6/2)

Israel renewed the ban preventing the PA’s Jerusalem governor Adnan Ghaith from entering the West bank and contacting other PA officials. (WAFA 5/30)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with Egyptian intelligence head Abbas Kamal in Cairo to discuss measures to help Palestinians living in Gaza. (WAFA 5/30)

Israeli national security advisor Tzachi Hanegbi told Army Radio that normalization with Saudi Arabia depends on what the U.S. “is willing to pay for a deal.” Regarding reporting that Saudi Arabia wants a nuclear program in return for normalization, Hanegbi said that the “Americans will not advance on this issue with the Saudis without being in close contact with us.” (MEE, REU 5/30; HA 5/31; MEE 6/5; ALM 6/6)

Israeli president Isaac Herzog arrived in Azerbaijan for meetings with President Ilham Aliyev in Baku. Herzog also attended an event celebrating Israel’s 75th anniversary. (MEE 5/30)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler shot and killed 1 Palestinian man at the Teneh Omrim settlement near Hebron; the man was allegedly attempting to stab settlers. Israeli settlers also raided Turmus Ayya and al-Mughayyir opening fire at Palestinians, injuring 1 with a shot to the head and 4 with stones and setting fire to vehicles and bales of hay. Palestinians said that Israeli soldiers were at the scene but did not prevent the settler attacks nor arrest any settlers. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces continued to close the main entrance to al-Mughayyir for the fourteenth day in a row. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Qabatiya, Faqqua, and Balata refugee camp. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, QDS, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/26; PCHR 6/1; UNOCHA 6/2)

The Washington Post published an investigation into an Israeli raid in Jenin on 3/16, detailing how Israeli forces killed a 14-year old Palestinian bystander while assassinating 2 Palestinians. The investigation also found that the 2 Palestinians who were targeted were not armed and confirmed initial reporting that 1 of the targets was shot several times despite being incapacitated. (WP 5/26; WAFA 5/28)

Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the UK, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, and the EU released a statement called on Israel to compensate the EU for demolitions and confiscations of EU-funded items, amounting to $1.3 million. The group also called on Israel to halt all demolitions and confiscations and condemned Israeli policies in Masafer Yatta and Israel’s failures to addressing settler violence. (EU, WAFA 5/26; MEMO, TOI 5/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 1 water well, 120 olive tree saplings, and wheat and barley crops in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces shot and injured 6 Palestinians, including 1 with live ammunition and 5 with baton rounds during a raid in Nablus to clear the area around Joseph’s Tomb for a large settler tour. Israeli forces also demolished 1 agricultural structure in Nabi Ilyas and issued a demolition notice for a commercial structure in Deir Balut. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces demolished 1 residential building in Wadi Qaddum, displacing 50. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of Beit Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (ALM, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/17; PCHR 5/18; UNOCHA 6/2)

The subcommittee for settlements under the Higher Planning Committee in the Civil Administration approved 552 housing units for construction in the Givat Ze’ev settlement. The Israeli Ministry of Construction and Housing also issued a tender for the construction of 58 housing units in the planned new settlement Ariel West. (PCN 5/17; WAFA 5/20)

The Knesset approved a preliminary vote to ban flying the flag of a “hostile entity,” including the Palestinian flag. If enacted the flying of the Palestinian flag could be punishable by up to 1 year in prison. The bill will have to pass 3 readings in the Knesset to become law. (QDS 5/17; JDF, MEE 5/18: HA 5/25)

Ahead of the Jerusalem Day march in Jerusalem, Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said that his policy is “to allow the complete freedom of movement for Jews in Jerusalem.” (HA 5/17)

Jordanian member of parliament Imad al-Adwan was charged in a state security court in Amman for smuggling weapons to the West Bank. Al-Adwan was arrested by Israeli forces on 4/22 and later handed over to Jordan. (AP, MEE 5/17)

Israeli Foreign Ministry director general Ronen Levy met with U.S. officials in Washington D.C. to discuss ways to expand the normalization deals the U.S. has been brokering for Israel, particularly the prospect of normalizing ties with Saudi Arabia. Among the U.S. officials were White House Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk, presidential envoy on energy security Amos Hochstein, and White House senior director for African affairs Judd Devermont. Hochstein and McGurk met with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman on 5/7. Axios also reported that the White House was considering appointing former U.S. ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro as the State Department normalization envoy. (AX 5/15; ALM 5/16; ALM, AX 5/17; ALM 5/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up 3 tents and vandalized Palestinian-owned vehicles in Deir Dibwan. Israeli settlers also raided a spring in Qaryut. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians near the separation wall in Habla. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 5 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Shufa, Qaryut, and Bayt Dajan, causing tear-gas related injuries. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Fawwar refugee camp, Hebron, Kafr Ra’i, and Qabatiya. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/5; PCHR 5/11; UNOCHA 5/19)

Israel handed over the bodies of 3 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces on 3/12 in Nablus to the PA. (WAFA 5/5; WAFA 5/6; HA 5/7)

17 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced the “Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act.” The lawmakers, led by Betty McCollum (D-MN), were calling for additional oversight of Israel’s spending of U.S. aid. (AJ, HA, MDW 5/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor and injured 6 others during a raid in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp; 2 were arrested. Israeli forces also shot and critically wounded 1 Palestinian during a raid in Bayt Jala. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in Nur Shams refugee camp. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Arroub refugee camp, injuring 1 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Rumana, causing tear-gas related injuries; 1 was arrested. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beitunia, Tammun, and Hebron. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces shot and injured 4 Palestinian fishermen with baton rounds west of al-Sudaniyya, arresting 2 of them. (AP, HA, MEE, QDS, QDS, QDS, PCHR, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/1; PCHR 5/4; UNOCHA 5/5)

Israeli finance minister and minister in charge of settlement policy at the Israeli Defense Ministry Bezalel Smotrich told members of his Religious Zionist Party that Khan al-Ahmar needs to be demolished because of its strategic location and not because it is unrecognized by Israel, as has been the official Israeli line so far. Smotrich said “[i]t is the area that will decide if heavens forbid there will be territorial contiguity that will connect Bethlehem with Nablus and Ramallah.” (HA 5/1)

In Syria, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes at Aleppo Airport, killing 1 soldier and injuring 7 others, including 2 civilians. Aleppo Airport was forced to close due to the damage. (AJ, ALM, AP, REU 5/1; HA 5/2)

U.S. senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) urged U.S secretary of state Antony Blinken not to edit the new report by the U.S. security coordinator for Israel and the PA Michael Fenzel on the Israeli killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh before it is shared with Congress. Van Hollen said that individuals in the State Department had contacted his office about proposed changes to the report before it is handed over to Congress. (AJ, AX 5/2; HA 5/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort vandalized olive trees near al-Mughayyir and Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinians resisting the attack, injuring 5 with baton rounds and 10 with tear gas. Israeli settlers also assaulted 3 Palestinians and vandalized their car near Deir Jarir. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Tuqu’, killing 1 Palestinian minor. Israeli forces also shot and injured 4 Palestinians, including a minor, and arrested 1 during a raid in Jenin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 1 water tank in Khirbet Humsa. Israeli forces also issued a punitive demolition order for the family home of a Palestinian man charged by Israel for the killing of an Israeli soldier in October 2022. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Arroub refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 4 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 2 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tulkarm, Birzeit, and Deir Sharaf. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/28; PCHR 5/4; UNOCHA 5/5; HA 5/20)

The Israeli housing ministry published tenders for 260 housing units in the Kiryat Arba, Geva Binyamin, and Ma’ale Efraim settlements. (PCN 4/28)

Newly declassified documents released by the Israeli Foreign Ministry showed that in the second half of the 20th century Israel systematically bribed Liberian officials to gain diplomatic support in the international arena. (HA 4/28; MEMO 4/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3, including 1 minor, with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 40 with tear gas. 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 who also had their vehicle seized near Ya’bad and 1 during a house raid in Balata refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, some 130,000 Muslim worshipers attended the last Friday noon prayer of Ramadan at the Haram al-Sharif compound. (HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/14; UNOCHA 4/20; PCHR 4/27)

Saudi Arabia hosted a meeting of the foreign ministers of Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait to discuss allowing Syria to return to the Arab League. It was reported that no consensus was reached on the issue. The ministers also discussed the Palestinian issue. (AJ 4/14; AP, HA, MEE, WAFA 4/15; REU 4/16)

The Wall Street Journal reported, based on anonymous sources, that the rockets launched at Israel from Lebanon on 4/6 were launched by Shi’ite forces in coordination with the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force Esmail Qaani, Hamas leaders Saleh al-Arouri and Ismail Haniyeh, and Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah. (HA, WSJ 4/14; HA 4/16)