The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, a Palestinian man shot by Israeli forces on 1/8 in Beitunia succumbs to his wounds. Israeli settlers set olive trees and an agriculture structure on fire near Kafr ad-Dik. Israeli forces raid Nablus and Abud, injuring 8 people with live ammunition, including a child, and cause widespread destruction in Nablus. Israeli forces also demolish a car wash and a nursery in Kafl Haris. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raze 6 dunams (1.5 acres) of Palestinian-owned land planted with 50 olive trees in Hebron and 2 dunams (.5 acres) of Palestinian-owned land near Bethlehem. Israeli forces also raid a medical clinic near Bethlehem, causing damage. Israeli forces arrest 26 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Ramallah, Tulkarm, Tubas, Hebron, Jenin, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolish a Palestinian home in Sur Baher, displacing 8 people. In Gaza, Israel bombs Dayr al-Balah, Rafah, Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Maghazi, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Jabalia refugee camp, killing at least 147 people, including 4 crew members and 2 injured Palestinians being transported an ambulance, killing 40 people in a home at the entrance of al-Aqsa Hospital in Dayr al-Balah, and 15 people in an apartment building in Rafah. In the Naqab, Israeli forces demolish the al-Za’arura and Bir Hadaj Bedouin villages. In Lebanon, Israeli forces attack the home of a Hezbollah member in Kfarchouba, killing him. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/10; AJ 1/11)

More than 23,357 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 16,350 women and children, and around 59,410 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 335 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 84 children. More than 4,148 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, 184 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,076 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. 193 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings. (WAFA, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 1/10)

Israel places Khalida Jarrar in administrative detention for an initial period of 6 months. (AJ 1/10)

Haaretz reports that Israel demolished 140 Palestinian homes and 84 other structures in East Jerusalem in 2023, marking a 60% increase in home demolitions compared to 2022. The newspaper notes that during the first 9 months of 2023 10 housing units were demolished per month and after 10/7 the figure rose to 17 a month. (HA 1/10)

Hamas official Osama Hamdan says there are no talks about a prisoner exchange, adding Israel is defrauding the Israeli public by circulating reports about talks. Hamdan maintains the Hamas position that it will not engage until Israel stops its attacks on Gaza. Hamdan also calls on the ICJ not to be pressured by the U.S. (AJ, HA, NYT 1/10)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas meets with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken in Ramallah, discussing the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. Reports describe the meeting as intense, with Abbas pressing Blinken on Israel’s freezing of the PA’s tax revenue and Israel’s attacks on Gaza. Palestinians protest Blinken’s visit, saying he is not welcome. Blinken later tells the press in Bahrain that Abbas agreed to reform the PA in preparation to take control of Gaza. Abbas flies to Aqaba in Jordan after the meeting with Blinken where he meets Jordanian king Abdullah II and Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, discussing ways to end Israel’s war in Gaza and prevent the displacement of Palestinians. PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh meets with U.S. deputy assistant secretary for Palestinian affairs Hady Amr in Ramallah. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/10; AJ, AJ, HA, NYT 1/11)

In an English language post on X Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says, “Israel has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population,” contradicting statements by several of his coalition members. Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz says Hamas no longer has ruling capabilities in Gaza and that Israel will continue its war to prevent Hamas from regaining control. Gantz also says that security in Gaza will remain “in our hands.” Likud member and deputy speaker of the Knesset Nissim Vatur tells the Kol Barama radio station that “Gaza and its people must be burned.” (AJ, AP, HA, HA 1/10)

Colombia and Brazil issue statements in support of the South African case against Israel at the ICJ. Palestinians rally in Ramallah in support of the case. (AJ 1/10; AJ 1/11)

The UN Security Council passes a resolution demanding that Yemen’s Houthi government ends its attacks on ships in the Red Sea and frees the ship Galaxy Leader and its crew. Russia, China, Mozambique, and Algeria abstain. 3 Russian amendments to the resolution fail. The Houthis call the resolution a “political game.”  (AJ, AP, AP, HA 1/10; AJ, AJ, HA 1/11)

The ICC sets up a portal for submission of evidence of Israeli war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, or aggression. (AJ, WAFA 1/10)

The Chinese Foreign Ministry calls for an immediate ceasefire and for Israel to stop “collective punishment” of the people of Gaza. (AJ 1/10)

U.S. Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis suggests at a presidential primary debate that Egypt or Saudi Arabia should resettle some Palestinians from Gaza if Israel “makes the calculation that [it is needed] to avert a second Holocaust.” Another candidate, Nikki Haley, says the U.S. should give Israel “whatever it wants.” (AJ, HA 1/11)

A poll conducted for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy finds that 96% of Saudis believe all Arab states should sever all ties with Israel. A YouGov poll commissioned by Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Council for Arab-British Understanding shows that 71% of people in the UK support an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, while 17% approve of the UK government’s handling of the war on Gaza. (AJ 1/10)

The Jewish Forward reports that the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has started including pro-Palestine rallies in its tally of anti-Semitic incidents. The report also says that the ADL now deems all anti-Zionist chants and slogans anti-Semitic, leading to pro-Palestine rallies where anti-Zionist slogan were chanted constituting 40% of incidents of anti-Semitism counted in a recent ADL report. (AJ, HA 1/10)

The International Ice Hockey Federation bars Israel from participating in world championship events, citing security concerns. Israel calls the ban “anti-Semitic.” The decision prevents the U20 Israeli hockey team from participating in a Division III world championship tournament later this month. (HA, TOI 1/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Jenin refugee camp, killing 4 Palestinians, including a minor, and injuring more than 30 others using 2 suicide drones and live ammunition. 1 Israeli military vehicle was damaged by an explosive device. The Israeli forces cut off electricity in the camp during the raid. Palestinians demonstrated against PA inaction to protect the residents of the camp after the raid. Defence for Children International said that the minor was chased and killed by Israeli forces after he had seen them sneak into the camp. Israeli forces also raided ‘Anata, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized the rooftop of a Palestinian home in Jalbun, turning it into a watchtower and placing Israeli flags on the building. Israeli forces also raided ‘Urif, taking measurements for punitive demolitions of 3 homes. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters east of Rafah, Gaza City, and Jabaliyya, killing 1 and injuring 8 others, including 3 minors, with live ammunition; others sustained tear-gas related injuries. (AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/19; AP, DCI, MDW, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA 9/20; AJ, HA, PCHR 9/21; UNOCHA 9/26)

Israeli authorities announced that they will extend the closure of the Gaza crossings indefinitely, barring Palestinian workers from entering Israel from Gaza, citing the protests in Gaza. (AP, HA, HA 9/19; MEE, REU 9/20)

UN humanitarian coordinator Lynn Hastings led a group of diplomats from Australia, Chile, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Spain, and the UK in Gaza to mark World Humanitarian Day. The group met with Palestinians who had their homes destroyed by Israel during the 2021 assault on Gaza. (UNOCHA, QDS, WAFA 9/19)

The Israeli-run Jerusalem municipality inaugurated a newly built intersection in Jerusalem, omitting the names of the Palestinian neighborhoods Sur Baher and Umm Tuba on the highway signs. (HA 9/19)

Islamic Jihad condemned the PA for threatening and arresting its members in Hebron. Hamas also called on the PA to end all arrests of political figures and release political prisoners. (QDS 9/19; MEMO 9/20)

Otzma Yehudit MK Limor Son Har-Melech spoke at a fundraising event for the Israeli terrorist Amiram Ben Uliel, who killed 3 Palestinians in an arson attack on the Dawabsheh family’s home in Duma in 2015, calling him a “holy righteous man.” (HA, QDS 9/20; MEE 9/21)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Brazilian president Luiz Inácio da Silva on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly meeting. (WAFA 9/20)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with U.S. assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs Barbara Leaf in New York ahead of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting on 9/21. (WAFA 9/19)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with the leaders of Turkey, Ukraine, Germany, and South Korea on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly annual meeting. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s office said he brought up recent developments concerning Palestinians. It was the first time that Erdoğan and Netanyahu had met in person. (HA, HA, MEE, REU 9/19; ALM, HA 9/20; ALM, MEE 9/21; HA 9/22)

Israel’s ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan was removed from the part of the UN building in New York where the UN General Assembly was meeting after he held up a picture Mahsa Amini who was killed by the Iranian morality police last year and walked out of the auditorium, calling Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi “the butcher of Tehran.” (HA, MEMO 9/20)

American officials told the New York Times that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are in negotiations discussing terms for a mutual defense treaty resembling the U.S. treaties with Japan and South Korea as part of the Israeli-Saudi normalization deal. (MEE, NYT 9/19)

In a letter nearly 80 Jewish American leaders urged U.S. president Joe Biden to ensure that a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia takes Palestinians and the two-state solution into account. (HA 9/19)

An AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found that 40% of Americans describe Israel as an ally but don’t think the 2 countries share U.S. interests and values. 61% of the people polled said they disapprove of President Joe Biden’s handling of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. (AX, HA 9/19; AP 9/20)

Azerbaijan launched an attack on the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region to ethnically cleanse the area of Armenians. Israel is one of the largest suppliers of weapons to Azerbaijan and arms transfers to the country spiked in the month leading to the attack. (BBC 9/20; HA 9/27; HA 9/28; HA 10/1)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler shot and killed 1 Palestinian man after he allegedly stabbed and injured 1 other Israeli settler near the Mitzpe Eshtemoa outpost south of Hebron. Israeli settlers also vandalized 30 olive tree saplings in Qusra. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a late-night raid in Balata refugee camp. Israeli forces also demolished 1 house and 1 house under construction in Bireen, displacing 8, demolished 3 houses under construction in al-Baqa‘a, issued a demolition notice for 1 house and 1 agricultural structure in al-Juwaya, and issued stop-work orders for 3 agricultural structures in Jayyus. 23 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Nil‘in Beit Duqqu, Sur Baher, Tuqu‘, Dheisheh refugee camp, al-Khader, Yatta, Surif, Bayt Awa, Fahma, and Jericho. (AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/11; ALM, HA, MDW, PCHR 1/12; UNOCHA 2/16; UNOCHA 2/3)

Israeli media reported that the Israeli military began to prepare the eviction of more than 1,000 Palestinians from the Masafer Yatta area 2 months ago and that it had presented the plans to the new Israeli government after it was sworn in at the end of December. The Israeli Supreme Court greenlit the evictions in May last year, accepting the government’s position that there were no permanent structures in the area when Israel declared it a firing zone. (AN, HA 1/11)

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki met with UK minister for the Middle East Lord Tariq Ahmad in Ramallah. (WAFA, WAFA 1/11)

The Knesset approved the preliminary reading of 7 draft laws that will revoke citizenship and residency status from Palestinians living in Israel that receive funds, directly or indirectly, from the PA after being convicted of terrorist acts. (HA 1/11)

The Israeli justice ministry released a draft of its proposed overhaul of the relations between the judicial and legislative branches of the Israeli government. If enacted the Knesset will be able to amend Basic Laws without Supreme Court interference and allow the government to freely appoint Supreme Court justices. (AX, GDN, HA, MEMO, NYT, TOI 1/11; IN, TOI 1/12)

The new Turkish ambassador to Israel Şakir Özkan Torunlar presented his credentials to Israeli president Isaac Herzog in a ceremony in Jerusalem. The previous Turkish charge d’affaires in Israel was recalled by Turkey in 2018 due to Israel’s deadly response to the Great March of Return protests in Gaza. (ALM 1/11)

EU commissioner for crisis management Janez Lanericic said that Israel must pay reparations for structures it demolishes that are funded by the EU. Commissioner Lanericic said that the EU “repeatedly requested that Israel compensate for the loss of European taxpayers' money,” but that diplomatic efforts have been ineffective. (HA, WAFA 1/11; MEMO 1/12)

In the West Bank, dozens of Israeli settlers escorted by Israeli forces stormed Huwwara, attacking Palestinians, stores, and vehicles; 53 Palestinians were injured and 6 were arrested. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian vendors selling produce in Bardala, damaging their products. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Dura, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian man during a raid in Aqabat Jabr refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed a funeral procession for a Palestinian minor killed on 10/12 in al-Arroub refugee camp, causing tear gas related injuries. Israeli forces also shot and injured 2 Palestinians with baton rounds during a raid in Kafr Dan, tear-gas related injuries were also reported. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in ‘Anata, Dheisheh refugee camp, Bethlehem, Hebron, Qalandia refugee camp, and Kafr Dan. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers stormed the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, leading to a confrontation with Palestinians; 20 Palestinians and 2 settlers were injured. Dozens of Palestinian-owned vehicles were vandalized and 5 Palestinians were arrested. MK Itamar Ben-Gvir joined the settlers brandishing guns and threatening to shoot Palestinians. Israeli settlers also toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Sur Baher, displacing 3. 13 Palestinians were arrested in Isawiya and al-Thuri. In Gaza, Israeli forces fired tear gas at al-Bureij refugee camp near a school, causing tear-gas related injuries among students and staff. (ABC, AP, HA, HA, MEE, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WP 10/13; AJ, JP, MDW, MEE, MEMO, WAFA 10/14; MEE 10/15; UNOCHA 10/16; PCHR 10/20; UNOCHA 11/1)

Israeli deputy mayor of Jerusalem Aryeh King called on Jewish settlers to volunteer to “protect” East Jerusalem neighborhoods during ongoing Palestinian protests in East Jerusalem over Israel’s continued siege of ‘Anata and Shu‘fat. (HA 10/12)

Israeli public security minister Omer Bar-Lev instructed Israeli police to ease the checkpoint restrictions around Shu‘fat, in what was described as an effort to ease tensions in East Jerusalem after days of protests against the siege of Shu‘fat and ‘Anata, which started on 10/8. (HA 10/13)

14 Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah, signed an agreement in Algeria to hold Palestinian elections. The agreement comes after 2 days of meetings mediated by Algerian officials. At the meetings were Hamas chairman of the political bureau Ismail Haniyeh, Fatah member Azzam al-Ahmad, and PFLP secretary general Talal Naji. The agreement recognized the PLO as the sole representative for the Palestinian people and called for elections within 1 year. According to leader of the DFLP Tayseer Khalid, Hamas and Fatah rejected a clause in the agreement to form a unity government. (AJ, CNN, F24, HA, JP, MEMO, NA, REU 10/13; MEMO, NAT 10/14; MEMO 10/15)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Kazakhstan. During the meeting, President Abbas said he does not trust the U.S. as a mediator for peace, instead voicing support of mediation efforts by the Quartet. Abbas also met with the leaders of Qatar, Kazakhstan, and Pakistan. A U.S. spokesperson criticized Abbas’s comments, calling President Putin “a far cry from the type of international partner needed to constructively address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” (AP, HA, MEMO, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/13; ALM, AX, TOI 10/15 HA, JP 10/16)

Lebanese president Michel Aoun officially said that Lebanon had accepted the maritime boundaries agreement with Israel, emphasizing that the agreement “does not signify any type of normalization.” Knesset members will vote on the agreement in 2 weeks. (AP, HA, MEMO, REU 10/13)

In the West Bank, Palestinians in several cities observed a general strike in solidarity with residents of Shu‘fat and ‘Anata, which have been closed by Israel since 10/8. Palestinians in Nablus also observed a general strike in protest against Israeli closures of all the entrances to the city. Israeli settlers attacked 1 vehicle transporting patients to an-Najah Hospital, damaging the vehicle. Israeli settlers with military escort also visited Joseph’s Tomb, leading to a confrontation with Palestinians resisting the incursion near Nablus; 1 Palestinian was shot and injured by Israeli forces. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers raided Huwwara, attacking businesses and people and blocking a road, 1 Palestinian was injured. Israeli settlers also set fire to a poultry facility and truck in Qusra. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 1 other while violently dispersing Palestinian protesters at al-Arroub refugee camp. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bethlehem, injuring 1 with a baton round and causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Ramallah, injuring 2 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also assaulted 1 Palestinian man after forcing him out of his vehicle at a checkpoint near Bayt Lid. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers led by MK Itamar Ben-Gvir toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Coinciding with the tour, Israeli forces assaulted and arrested 3 at the compound, including 2 Waqf guards. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Isawiya, Silwan, al-Tur, Ras al-Amud, Shu‘fat refugee camp, Jabel Mukaber, Sur Baher, and Bayt Hanina, using tear gas and stun grenades. A general strike was also observed by Palestinians in East Jerusalem in solidarity with Shu‘fat and ‘Anata. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/12; ALM, BBC, GDN, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEMO, PCHR, PCHR 10/13; UNOCHA 10/16; UNOCHA 11/1)

The Israeli cabinet approved the maritime border agreement with Lebanon, sending it to the Knesset for final approval in 2 weeks. (AP, HA 10/12)

The U.S. White House released its National Security Strategy. The strategy included language referring to expanding normalization deals for Israel and a commitment to Israel as a “Jewish and democratic” state. The strategy paper also restated president Joe Biden’s position in support of a 2-state solution “along the 1967 lines, with mutually agreed swaps.” The paper did not mention any effort to restart negotiations. (White House 10/12; MEE 10/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 5 agricultural structures in Kafr ad-Dik. Israeli forces punitively demolished the family home in Silat al-Harithiya of 1 Palestinian accused of killing an Israeli settler on 12/16/2021 near the Homesh settlement outpost by detonating explosives placed in the house; Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the demolition, killing 1 minor with live ammunition and injuring 17. Israeli forces also demolished 1 agricultural structure and uprooted olive trees in Beit Umar and demolished 1 agricultural structure in Halhul. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police violently dispersed Palestinians with stun grenades, skunk water and rubber-coated bullets who were protesting the reopening of a makeshift outdoor office in Sheikh Jarrah by Itamar Ben-Gvir of the Religious Zionism party; 31 Palestinians were injured, including 6 by rubber-coated bullets and 1 by a stun grenade, and 12 were arrested including Palestinians and settlers. Ben-Gvir and other Israeli settlers declared that they are the “landlords” of Sheikh Jarrah and danced in front of the home of the Salem family who are threatened by eviction in the neighborhood while throwing various objects at the family. Israeli forces also closed off Sheikh Jarrah to Palestinians and pro-Palestinian activists. Israeli forces also removed MK Ahmed Tibi from the home of the Salem family while he was visiting their home in solidarity. Hamas and the PA condemned Ben-Gvir for his provocative acts. The EU expressed concern about the situation in Sheikh Jarrah. 2 Palestinian families demolished their own homes in Sur Baher, displacing 13. (AJ, HA, JP, MEE, MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/13; AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 2/14; TOI 2/15; WAFA 2/16; PCHR 2/17; UNOCHA 2/28)

The Ofer military court convicted the director of the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, Khitam Saafin, of being a member of the PFLP in a plea deal, but dropped all other charges, including the accusation that she had helped funnel donor money to the PFLP through the organization. The later charge was part of the “evidence” leveled by Israel against 6 Palestinian rights organization that were placed on Israel’s list of terror organizations in October 2021. Saafin was sentenced to 16 months in prison but will be released in May, as the sentence included time served. (HA, JP, TOI 2/22)

Israeli prison forces assaulted Palestinian prisoners in Megiddo and Ofer Prisons while raiding prison cells. (WAFA 2/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort attempted to raid a school in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya before they were repelled by Palestinians protecting the students. Israeli forces razed agricultural lands in Birin, uprooting 120 olive and almond trees and demolishing 1 well in Khillat al-Furn. Israeli forces also raided Birzeit University, injuring 1 student with a rubber-coated bullet who was protesting the raid. 17 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Deir Abu Mash‘al, Deir Nidham, Kafr Ni‘ma, Bethlehem, al-Walaja, Sa‘ir, al-Shuyukh, Tarqumiyah, Tulkarm, Far‘un, and Kafr al-Labad; Israel also said that it had arrested 11 students of An-Najah University in Nablus, saying they were connected to a Hamas student network. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished the foundations to a house in al-Tur and demolished 1 house near the Old City. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Wadi al-Juz and Isawiya; Israeli forces confiscated 11,500 NIS ($7,300) during a raid in Sur Baher. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 6 nautical miles north of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/14; PCHR 12/16)

Israeli Channel 13 reported that a group called Returning to the Mount are praying at the Haram al-Sharif compound by disguising themselves as Muslims while following Islamic practices of prayer, but reciting Jewish prayers. Channel 13 reported that members of the group meet to learn how to appear like Muslim worshippers. (MEMO, TOI 12/14)

The Palestinian prisoners’ club said Israeli prison guards assaulted at least 3 female prisoners in Damon prison when they refused to leave their cell. The 3 prisoners were also transferred to solitary confinement. (MEMO, WAFA 12/19; MEE, MEMO 12/20)

PA and U.S. officials held a virtual meeting discussing economic ties. The meeting was headed by PA economic affairs minister Khaled Osaily and acting assistant secretary of state for Near East Affairs Yael Lambert. (MEMO, WAFA 12/15; ALM 12/18)

Israel’s prime minister Naftali Bennett said settler violence is an “insignificant phenomena” in the West Bank, criticizing Israel’s public security minister Omer Bar-Lev, who on 12/13 brought up the issue in a meeting with U.S. state department undersecretary for political affairs Victoria Nuland. Prime Minister Bennett said that the settlers were the victims in the West Bank and needed the support of the Israeli government. Public Security Minister Bar-Lev subsequently reiterated his focus on settler violence during a trip to Hebron, saying that “it is truly difficult for some to look in the mirror” instead of tackling the issue of extremist settlers. (HA 12/14; HA 12/15; ALM 12/17)

Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on the UN Commission of Inquiry to investigate what HRW have found to be organized discriminatory behavior of Israeli law enforcement agencies when dealing with “Jewish ultra nationalist” and Palestinian citizens of Israel during the May 2021 civil unrest. HRW found that Israeli law enforcement used excessive force when dispersing Palestinians in Lydda while “failing to act even-handedly as Jewish ultra-nationalists attacked Palestinians.” (HRW, MEMO, WAFA 12/14)

Israel’s interior minister Ayelet Shaked announced that plans to construct the Trump Heights settlement in the Israeli occupied Golan Heights had advanced. The Trump Heights settlement, named after former U.S. president Donald Trump, will cover 70 acres. The announcement stated that construction of homes, public buildings, industrial zones, and roads can begin. (HA 12/14)

The Knesset passed the 1st reading of a bill that would allow Israeli police to conduct house raids in Israel without a court-issued warrant. An explanatory note to the bill clarified that the bill was intended for the Israeli police to use “in its battle against serious crime, and particularly serious crime in Arab society.” (Knesset 12/14; MEMO 12/15)

The officer of the Knesset granted the leader of United Arab List Mansour Abbas a security detail, as he was receiving a growing number of death threats. (MEMO 12/15)

The UAE said it had suspended talks with the U.S. on buying 50 F-35 fighter jets, citing “[t]echnical requirements, sovereign operational restrictions, and cost/benefit analysis.” The announcement follows U.S. concerns about the UAE’s relationship to China, including the UAE using Huawei 5G technology. The Trump administration had agreed to allow the UAE to purchase the F-35 fighter jets as part of the UAE’s and Israel’s normalization agreement. The UAE announced on 12/3, during a visit to the country by French president Emmanuel Macron, that it would buy 80 French-made Rafale fighter jets and 12 military helicopters. (AJ 12/3; AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, REU 12/14; REU, REU 12/15)

18 Democratic members of U.S. Congress wrote a letter to the Treasury and State Departments asking them to put sanctions on 4 foreign surveillance companies, including the Israeli NSO Group, citing the companies’ assistance in human rights abuses. Among the signatories were Senate finance committee chairperson Ron Wyden (D-OR) and House intelligence committee chairperson Adam Schiff (D-CA). (AJ, HA, MEMO, REU 12/15; +972 12/17)

Italy contributed $2.25 million to UNRWA programming in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and $1.13 million to UNRWA programming in Syria. (WAFA 12/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort raided as-Samu, forcing Palestinians to close shops. 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Kafr Ni‘ma, Marah Rabah, Dura, Kisan, and Beit Fajjar. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers led by MK Itamar Ben-Gvir toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in the Wadi al-Hummus area of Sur Baher. Israeli forces summoned the prominent anti-eviction activist Muna El Kurd to the Moscovia Detention Center for questioning, during a raid at her house. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian bird hunters east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 12/5; PCHR 12/16)

Israel released the Palestinian prisoner Kayed Fasfous 2 weeks after he ended his 131-day-long hunger strike on 11/23. Fasfous’s lawyer and Israel agreed to end his administrative detention. (AJ, AP, HA, WAFA 12/5; MEMO 12/6; MEMO 12/7; AJ 12/8)

1 Palestinian man was released from prison after 1 month as a video showed that he was framed by Israeli police officers, who had planted a gun in his car. (JP 12/6; MEMO 12/7)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian minor succumbed to his injuries after 74 days in intensive care after being shot by Israeli forces in the neck near Ramallah on 5/14. Israeli settlers began construction work around a spring in Wadi al-Malih. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters during a raid in Nablus, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces seized electric cables and an excavator in as-Samu. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Deir Balut, Silwad, Sur Baher, al-Ubeidiya, Wadi Abu Freiha, Hebron, Qabatiya, Meithalun, and Tammun. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces dispersed Palestinian protesters in Sheikh Jarrah. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwan. (AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA 7/26; WAFA 7/27; PCHR 7/29)

Kahanist Israeli lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir of the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party called the Palestinian Israeli deputy speaker of the Knesset Ahmad Tibi a terrorist before being forcefully removed from the Knesset podium he was speaking from. Ben-Gvir’s smear happened after he refused to address Tibi as “Mr. Speaker.” (HA 7/26; MEMO, TOI 7/27)

Tunisian president Kais Saied ousted the Tunisian government and froze the parliament in what was said to be a coup. Tunisian forces also stormed the Al Jazeera offices in Tunis and expelled the staff from the premises. Tunisians had taken to the street on 7/25 to protest the government after a new COVID-19 spike and continued economic difficulties. (AJ 7/25; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, REU, REU 7/26)

In Lebanon, Najib Mikati secured 72 of 118 votes in the Lebanese parliament to be approved as the new prime minister-elect. Saad Hariri resigned as prime minister-elect on 7/15 after failing to form a government 9 months after being picked to do so. Mikati has been Lebanon’s prime minister twice before, in 2005 and 2011-14. (AJ, REU 7/25; AJ, AJ, AP, F24, MEMO, MEMO, REU, REU 7/26)

U.S. president Joe Biden and Iraqi prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi agreed, during a meeting at the White House, that all U.S. combat troops would leave Iraq by the end of 2021, leaving only U.S. personnel for advisory roles. (HA, MEMO 7/26; MEE, REU 7/27)

4 members of congress, Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), Katie Porter (D-CA), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), and Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), urged the Biden administration to speak out against companies that sell cyber intrusion tools, such as NSO Group, and to consider sanctioning such companies and the regimes that use their tools. The members’ call follows reporting from 7/18 that NSO Group, with approval from the Israeli government, sold its Pegasus spyware to foreign governments, which have used the spyware on journalists, activists, and heads of other countries. (Tom Malinowski 7/26; HA, MEE 7/27)

Florida governor Ron DeSantis (R) urged the Florida State Board of Administration to place Ben & Jerry’s and its parent company Unilever on the state’s list of companies to be examined in relation to boycotts of Israel. The move comes as Ben & Jerry’s announced on 7/19 that it will stop selling its ice cream in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and end its licensing to an Israeli-based franchise. (HA, HILL 7/26)