The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces assault 4 Palestinians, including a medic, during a raid in Fahma. Israeli forces deliver demolition notices for 11 residential and agricultural structures in the Abu Nawar Bedouin community near ‘Anata. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces prevent Palestinians from reaching the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Rafah, Khan Yunis, Jabalia refugee camp, Beit Lahiya, and Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 183 people. Israeli forces also open fire at Palestinians fleeing from Khan Yunis to Rafah and fire tank shells at al-Amal Hospital. The Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis suffers a complete electricity blackout as it is besieged by Israeli forces for the fifth day in a row. In Lebanon, Israeli forces strike Bayt Lif and Deir Aames, killing 2 people and injuring 4 in Bayt Lif. Hezbollah says it attacked 2 Israeli bases near the Blue Line. In the Red Sea, the Houthi movement says its forces attacked a UK-owned oil tanker.  (AJ, AP, AP, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/26)

More than 26,083 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 10,600 children and 7,200 women, and around 64,110 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 365 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 92 children. More than 4,354 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, 219 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,269 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 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 68 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah crossing. Israelis block the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing for the third day in a row, forcing aid trucks to reroute to Egypt. The UN says the assessment mission to northern Gaza, announced by U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken on 1/9, has not been carried out. (AJ, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 1/26; AJ 1/27)

Israel orders Palestinians in several neighborhoods of Khan Yunis to flee to al-Mawasi. (AJ 1/26)

The ICJ rules that there is a basis to further investigate the South African genocide case against Israel and that the ICJ has jurisdiction to hear the case. The court issues 6 provisional measures: 1) Israel must take all possible measures to prevent acts as outlined in Article 2 of the Genocide Convention, including not killing members of a particular group [Palestinians], not causing physical or psychological harm to members of that group, not inflicting living conditions which are calculated to bring about the end of the existence of a people, and not carrying out acts to precent the births within the group. 2) Israel must ensure its military does not carry out any of the actions outlined in measure 1. 3) Israel must prevent and punish incitement to commit genocide. 4) Israel must ensure the delivery of basic services and essential humanitarian aid. 5) Israel must prevent the destruction of evidence of war crimes and allow fact-finding missions access. 6) Israel must submit a report on all steps taken to abide by the measures within 1 month. 4 of the orders are approved by 15 of the 17 judges, while 2 of the measures are approved by 16 of the 17 judges. The only judge to vote against all measures is Judge Julia Sebutinde of Uganda. Aharon Barak, the judge representing Israel, votes for measures 3 and 4. The measures issued by the court fall short of South Africa’s demand for a ceasefire. Hamas welcomes the ICJ orders and calls on the international community to force Israel to implement the decisions. PA ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour calls the measures against Israel “historic.” South Africa calls the ruling a “decisive victory.” Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructs his ministers not to comment on the ICJ decision and calls the ruling “outrageous.” The U.S. State Department says the ICJ did not “make a finding about genocide” despite the court specifically saying that it is continuing its trial of Israel on charges of genocide. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Malaysia, Qatar, Spain, Ireland, Scotland, Belgium, and the AU welcome the ICJ ruling. Turkey and Egypt express disappointment that the court did not call for a ceasefire. (AP, NYT 1/25; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/26; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/27; AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA 1/28; HA 1/29)

PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh calls on the international community and the UN Security Council to stop Israeli efforts to create a new buffer zone in Israel, saying Israel is razing homes and agricultural lands in 20% of Gaza. (AJ, WAFA 1/26)

Israel alleges that 12 UNRWA employees took part in or aided the attack on 10/7/2023 based on Shin Bet interrogations of Palestinian detainees and phone tracking. UNRWA announces an investigation and says it has terminated the contracts of the 9 of the staffers, with further investigations into 2 other staffers. 1 staff has been killed. The U.S., Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, Finland, Australia, Italy, and the UK say they have paused additional funding to UNRWA while they are reviewing the allegations and UN’s steps to address them. The PA calls on the countries that suspended funding to reverse their decisions. Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf calls the suspension of funding for UNRWA collective punishment. UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini calls the aid suspensions “shocking,” saying they are based on the “alleged behavior of a few individuals.” Ireland and Norway express support for UNRWA. (AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, NYT, NYT 1/26; AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, WAFA 1/27; HA, HA, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/28; AP, REU, REU, REU 1/29)

Hamas releases a video of 3 captives who call on the Israeli government to stop the war on Gaza and secure their release, saying other captives held with them have been killed in Israeli airstrikes. (AJ, HA, HA 1/26)

U.S. president Joe Biden speaks with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani about another temporary ceasefire in Gaza. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby says the White House is doing “everything we can to facilitate another hostage deal,” and that National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk returns to the U.S. after discussions with Qatar and Egypt. Axios reports that on 1/19 Biden said in a call with Prime Minister Netanyahu that he wants Israel to end its war on Gaza soon. A Biden advisor tells Axios that the White House is concerned about losing young voters who are opposed to Biden’s policy on the war. (AJ, AX, HA 1/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raze Palestinian-owned land in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces fatally shoot a Palestinian man during a raid in Jaba’. Israeli forces seize several Palestinian-owned vehicles in Hebron and Dahariya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers tour the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israel forces bomb Rafah, Khan Yunis, Nuseirat refugee camp, Gaza City, Nuseirat refugee camp, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Maghazi, killing at least 112 people. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb an ambulance, killing 2 medics in Hanine. Hezbollah attacks Kiryat Shmona and Birket Riche. In Yemen, the U.S. and the UK launch airstrikes in several places, killing 6 Yemenis and damaging 4 airports and a Houthi military base. Off the coast of Oman, hijackers, reportedly from Iran, seize a commercial vessel carrying oil changing its course toward Iran. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/11; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, WAFA 1/12; HA, HA 1/14)

More than 23,469 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 16,350 women and children, and around 59,604 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 336 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 1,085 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. 145 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings. The World Food Programme says it has delivered food aid to Gaza City for the first time in several weeks. (AJ, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 1/11)

Israel issues evacuation orders for al-Mawasi, telling Palestinians to flee to Dayr al-Balah. (UNOCHA 1/11)

Oxfam releases a report saying Israel’s war on Gaza is the deadliest in recent years with an average of 250 Palestinians killed per day. Oxfam compares the daily casualty numbers to 96 in Syria, 52 in Sudan, 51 in Iraq, and 44 in Ukraine. (AJ, AJ 1/11)

PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh meets with Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Doha, discussing the situation in Palestine. (AJ 1/11)

Hamas and Islamic Jihad condemn the U.S. and UK attacks on Yemen. Russia calls an emergency meeting at the UN Security Council in response to the attack. Saudi Arabia calls for restraint. Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and South Korea sign a joint statement with the U.S. and the UK in support of the attacks. France and Italy reportedly refuse to sign the statement. U.S. president Joe Biden cites the impact of the attacks in the Red Sea on global oil prices when asked about the attacks on Yemen. Biden also calls the Houthis “terrorists.” (AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU 1/12)

South Africa presents its case for an injunction against Israel’s war in Gaza at the ICJ, saying Israel is committing genocide. U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel says, “the allegations that Israel is committing genocide are unfounded.” U.S. congresspeople Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Cori Bush (D-MO) issue a statement in support of the case. Iraq also issues a statement in support of South Africa’s case. Amnesty International calls the case “a vital step for the protection of Palestinian lives.” Several Israeli ministers accuse South Africa of hypocrisy for not bringing similar cases against other countries and the Israeli Foreign Ministry calls South Africa the “legal arm” of Hamas. The PA thanks South Africa for trying to hold Israel accountable and calls on other countries to support South Africa’s case. (HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, WAFA 1/10; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/11; AJ, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU 1/12)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken tells reporters after a meeting with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Egypt that Israel’s integration into the Middle East and a path to Palestinian statehood would isolate Iran. Blinken also says the PA has agreed to “pursue meaningful reform.” Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Adviser for Energy and Investment Amos Hochstein tells reporters, after meeting Lebanese caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati and other senior officials, that both Israel and Lebanon prefer a diplomatic solution to end the escalation between the 2 countries. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby says the U.S. is not “satisfied with the level [of aid entering Gaza] right now.” (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, NYT 1/11)

A poll conducted by the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies shows that among 8,000 people in 16 Arab countries 91% of respondents express solidarity with Palestinians and 92% say their plight should be a concern for all Arabs. 94% express a negative view of U.S. policy toward Israel’s war on Gaza. (AJ 1/11)

The Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University reportedly cancels an exhibition of Samia Halaby’s work because of her posts on social media in support of Palestinians in Gaza. (NYT 1/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers demolish an agricultural structure and stone walls in Tarqumiyah. Israeli settlers also attack Palestinian herders in al-Juwaya, forcing them to leave the area. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers steal olives from Palestinians in Awarta. Israeli forces fatally shoot 3 Palestinians and injure another during a raid in Iktaba. Israeli forces also shoot and injure 2 Palestinian men during raids in Tell and Qiffin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolish a home and an agricultural structure and uproot trees in Birin. Israeli forces also raid Beit Umar, seizing a vehicle. Meanwhile, Israeli forces assault 2 Palestinians during raids in Ya’bad and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers tour the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis, Maghazi, Rafah, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 249 Palestinians, including a 5-year-old in a bombing of a Doctors Without Borders shelter. 9 Israeli soldiers are killed in combat, including 6 who are killed by Israeli forces detonating a tunnel before they exit it. Rockets are fired at Israel; no damage is reported. In Lebanon, Israeli forces assassinate senior commander in Hezbollah’s Radwan forces Wissam al-Tawil and one other person in a strike on the car they are traveling in in Khirbet Selm. Israeli forces also attack Marwahin and Ayta ash Shab. Hezbollah fires a rocket at a home in Shtula, lightly injuring an Israeli, and an anti-tank missile at an Israeli soldier near the Blue Line. In Syria, Israel says it has assassinated Hassan Halashah in Beit Jinn, claiming he was responsible for Hamas launching rockets from Syria at Israel. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/8; AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA 1/9; HA 1/10)

More than 23,084 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 8,800 children and 6,300 women, and around 58,926 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 333 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 84 children. More than 4,042 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, 183 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,042 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. 112 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings. The WHO says Israel has denied its request to deliver medical supplies to al-Awda Hosptial in Jabalia refugee camp and the Central Drug Store in Gaza City. (AJ, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 1/8)

B’Tselem reports Israel is deliberately starving Palestinians in Gaza, saying cultivated fields have been destroyed and bakeries bombed, leaving Gaza reliant on food aid that Israel largely prevents from entering. (BTS 1/8; AJ 1/10)

Islamic Jihad releases a video of an Israeli captive. Separately the group says it foiled an attempt by Israeli forces to rescue a captive in al-Bureij refugee camp. (AJ, HA, HA 1/8)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas meets with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo, discussing ways to end Israel’s war in Gaza and the surge in settler violence in the West Bank. PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki meets with German foreign minister Anna Baerbock in Ramallah, calling on Germany to pressure Israel into a ceasefire. Baerbock also visits al-Mazra’a al-Qibliya with B’Tselem, meeting with Palestinians affected by settler violence. Baerbock says Israel has a duty to protect Palestinians in the West Bank. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA 1/8)

Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari says in an interview that Israel’s campaign in Gaza has gradually started to shift to a more targeted stage. (AJ, HA, NYT 1/8)

Israeli heritage minister Amichai Eliyahu proposes displacing Palestinians from Gaza who “refuse to live in these conditions.” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says Israel will not transfer the PA tax revenue to the PA and reiterates his call for the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza. (HA, HA 1/8)

70 Knesset members sign a motion to expel Hadash-Ta’al party MK Ofer Cassif for his support of the South African genocide case against Israel at the ICJ. It is unclear if Cassif will be expelled as the law to expel Knesset members only permits expulsion on the basis of racist incitement or support of armed struggle against Israel. (HA 1/9)

U.S. president Joe Biden says in a speech that he is “quietly working with the Israeli government to get them to reduce and significantly get out of Gaza.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman in al-Ula, saying after the meeting that bin Salman has expressed “clear interest” in trying to normalize ties with Israel on the condition that Israel ends its war on Gaza and agrees to take practical steps to establish a Palestinian state. In a statement after the meeting, bin Salman says he stressed the need to end the Israeli attacks on Gaza and for a path toward peace. Blinken also meets with UAE president Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller tweets that Palestinians must be able to return to their homes and must not be pressed to leave Gaza. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, WAFA 1/8; NYT 1/9)

The Israeli Supreme Court rules that international media cannot have access to Gaza via Israel without permission and without being escorted by the Israeli military, saying access could endanger Israeli forces. The Foreign Press Association had petitioned the Supreme Court to gain access to Gaza. (AJ, AP 1/8; HA 1/9)

Haaretz reports that Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has called on Benny Gantz, Gadi Eizenkot, and Gideon Saar to leave the emergency government because he deems Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unfit to lead Israel. (AJ, HA 1/8)

Sources tell Axios that Prime Minister Netanyahu had asked UAE president Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan if the UAE could pay stipends to Palestinians from the West Bank who were employed in Israel until Israel barred them from entering after 10/7. Bin Zayed reportedly sarcastically told Netanyahu to “ask [Ukrainian president Volodymyr] Zelenskyy for money.” (AX 1/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort assaulted 3 Palestinians in Khallet al-Daba in the Masafer Yatta area and stole their mobile phones. Israeli settlers also vandalized 8 olive trees in Burin. Israeli forces shot and killed 6 Palestinians, including a child, during a raid in al-Fara’a refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and injured 8 Palestinians, including a child, during raids in Fawwar refugee camp, Kafr Ni’ma, Beit Umar, and Hizma. Elsewhere, Israeli forces arrested the deputy director of the Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem, Sheikh Najeh Bkerat, in Dar Salah. Israeli forces also raided Qarawat Bani Hassan, destroying a memorial erected for a Palestinian killed by Israeli forces on 12/2. An Israeli soldier was shot and injured during a raid in Ya’bad. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians heading for the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces bombed Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City, Nuseirat refugee camp, Khan Yunis, Rafah, and Dayr al-Balah, killing around 350 people. Israeli airstrikes targeted the Yaffa Hospital in Dayr al-Balah, Al Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis, and Palestinians queuing for water in Khan Yunis. Rockets were fired at Israel; no damage was reported. 4 Israeli soldiers were killed in combat. In Lebanon, Israeli forces attacked a military hospital in Ain Ebel, causing damage. Israeli forces also injured 3 Lebanese soldiers in Naqoura. In Syria, Israel said it attacked several targets near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. 4 people were reportedly killed in an airstrike on a car in Madinat al-Baath. (AJ, AP, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/8; AJ, HA, REU 12/9)

More than 17,487 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 7,729 children and 5,153 women, and around 46,480 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 264 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 68 children. More than 3,387 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7. 97 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. As of 12/3, at least 52,000 housing units had been destroyed and 253,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. UNRWA said that at least 273 Palestinians sheltering at its shelters have been killed and 966 injured in Israeli attacks since 10/7. Rafah remained the only governate to receive aid. 4 injured Palestinians and 585 foreign nationals were evacuated to Egypt while 13 humanitarian staff and 11 ambulances donated by Turkey entered Gaza. (AJ, HA, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 12/8; UNOCHA 12/9)

Hamas said an Israeli attempt to free a captive failed, leading to the death of the captive, Israeli solider Sa’ar Baruch. Israel said 2 Israeli soldiers were seriously injured in the rescue attempt. (AJ, HA, NYT, REU 12/8; AJ, HA 12/9)

Al Jazeera said a number of the Palestinians taken by Israeli forces from UN schools in Beit Lahiya on 12/7 and stripped to their underwear were released, while others were taken to a military base in Israel, including Al-Araby Al-Jadeed journalist Diaa al-Kahlout. (AJ, AP, NYT 12/8)

The Israeli Education Ministry ordered school principals in East Jerusalem to suspend Palestinian students who were released as part of the prisoner exchange last week until 2024. (HA 12/8)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant signed an order to place an Israeli settler in administrative detention for attacks on Palestinians. Gallant also spoke with U.S. secretary of defense Lloyd Austin, who urged him to “increase efforts to protect civilians in Gaza, increase delivery of humanitarian assistance, and curb extremist settler violence in the West Bank.” Israel said an Israeli military helicopter killed an Israeli soldier during an attack on a building in Gaza last week. (HA, HA 12/8)

A UN Security Council resolution calling for ceasefire and the unconditional release of the Hamas-held captives was vetoed by the U.S., with the UK abstaining and the remaining 13 members voting in favor. Before the vote, PA UN envoy Riyad Mansour said the objective of the Israeli campaign was to ethnically cleanse Gaza, adding Israeli representatives were publicly admitting it. U.S. UN ambassador Robert Wood said the Hamas attack on 10/7 was the “worst attack on our people” in decades. After the vote Wood explained the veto, calling the resolution imbalanced for not condemning Hamas’ operation on 10/7. UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini said the constant Israeli bombings have made UNRWA’s ability to operate extremely limited. After the vote, Mansour called the U.S. vote a disaster. Hamas called the veto “unethical and inhumane.” Israeli UN ambassador Gilad Erdan thanked the U.S. for “standing firmly by our side.” Human Rights Watch UN director Louis Charbonneau said that the U.S. risks being complicit in Israeli war crimes by continuing to provide weapons and diplomatic cover. Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf called the UK’s abstention “incomprehensible.” (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/8; AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/9)

During an interview with Reuters, PA president Mahmoud Abbas called for an international conference to end the war in Gaza and to create the foundations for a lasting end to the Israeli occupation. Abbas said he was for “peaceful resistance” that led to a 2-state solution with a sovereign Palestinian state in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. Abbas also said he would accept a future election result if Hamas won. Later, Abbas’ office released a statement saying the U.S. veto at the UN Security Council made it complicit in war crimes against Palestinians. (HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 12/8; REU 12/9)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his opposition to the PA governing Gaza after Bloomberg News ran an interview with PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh on 12/7, where he said the PA was working with the U.S. in preparation for taking over the governing of Gaza. (AJ, HA 12/8)

French president Emmanuel Macron spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu, urging him to open the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing and calling on Israel to protect civilians in Gaza and the West Bank. (AJ, HA 12/8)

The Arab-Islamic Summit Ministerial Committee met with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken, discussing the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The committee expressed their disappointment with the U.S. veto at the UN Security Council. The committee was represented by foreign ministers from the PA, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt. Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud also met with Blinken separately, calling for a ceasefire. (AJ, HA, NYT, WAFA 12/8; AJ, HA, NYT 12/9)

The Biden administration bypassed congressional review of the sale of 14,000 tank shells to Israel worth $106.5m. The Biden administration had asked Congress to approve the sale of 45,000 shells with the sale of the remaining 31,000 pending congressional approval. (AJ 12/8; AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU 12/9)

The European Commission announced that the EU will provide Palestine with at least $135 million in humanitarian aid through 2024. (HA 12/8)

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

The Gaza Ministry of Health was not able to fully update the casualty figures due to a collapse in services and communications at hospitals in northern Gaza, leaving the casualty numbers at around 13,000 Palestinians killed, including 5,500 children and 3,500 women, and around 32,000 injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 3,250 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 208 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 52 children. More than 2,885 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. 71 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.61 million Palestinians, around 70% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israel blockade. As of 11/6, at least 40,000 housing units had been destroyed and 220,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 45% of all housing units. Some 25,000 people fled northern Gaza to the south. The UN said that since shelters are completely full newly arrived displaced people were sleeping on the streets. 51 aid trucks entered Gaza, including trucks carrying material to build 2 field hospitals run by the UAE and Jordan. 2 trucks carrying 17,000 gallons of fuel entered Gaza. 180 doctors and nurses entered Gaza. 571 foreign nationals and 67 injured Palestinians were evacuated from Gaza via the Rafah crossing. Jordanian crown prince Hussein arrived in Egypt to oversee the establishment of the Jordanian field hospital, which will be set up in Khan Yunis. The Committee to Protect Journalists said 50 journalists have been killed since 10/7, including 45 Palestinians and 1 Lebanese. (AJ, AP, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 11/20; HA, UNOCHA 11/21)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Nur Shams refugee camp. Israeli bulldozers caused extensive damage during the raid, including to the main road leading to Tulkarm. Later in the day, PA forces opened fire at Islamic Jihad members in the camp; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor near az-Zubaidat, claiming he had shot and injured 1 Israeli soldier. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a raid in Bayt Umar; the soldiers also fired tear gas near a school, causing tear-gas related injuries among students and staff. Israeli forces also confiscated 1 tractor near Yatta and 1 road roller in al-Zawiya. 17 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Halhul, al-Arroub refugee camp, Ya’bad, al-Am’ari refugee camp, Birzeit, Kafr ‘Aqab, and ‘Anata. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian school in Kafr ‘Aqab was set on fire after it was forced to teach the Israeli curriculum instead of the PA curriculum. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, MEE, QDS, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/5; MDW, PCHR 9/7; UNOCHA 9/11; UNOCHA 9/26)

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said the Israeli decision on 9/4 to close the Karim Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing would lead to an increase in tensions between Palestinians in Gaza and Israel. PA economy minister Khaled Assaili demanded that Israel reopen the crossing immediately. (HA, REU, WAFA 9/5; AJ 9/7; AP 9/8)

The High Follow-Up Committee for the Arab citizens of Israel declared a general strike in Israel over Israeli inaction in preventing and solving violent crime. (WAFA 9/3; ALM, QDS, WAFA 9/5)

Israeli military chief of central command Yehuda Fuchs said he will issue an administrative restriction order for Elisha Yered, a settler who took part in the raid on Burqa on 8/4 where 1 Palestinian man was killed. The order would prevent Yered from leaving the northern part of the Jordan Valley. (HA 9/5)

Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said the Israeli government will start deducting additional funds from the PA taxes Israel collects to pay for the PA’s debt to the Israel Electric Corp (IEC). A spokesperson for Smotrich said the amount would be $5.2 million to $7.8 million per month depending on how much energy the PA purchases from the IEC. PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh called the decision systematic piracy and theft. (REU, WAFA 9/5; MEMO 9/7)

PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh, head of PA intelligence Majed Faraj, and PA president Mahmoud Abbas’ foreign policy advisor Majdi Khaldi arrived in Riyadh for meetings with Saudi and U.S. officials, including National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk, to discuss the Palestinian aspect of the potential Saudi-Israeli normalization deal. Khaldi told the New York Times that the PA demand is the implementation of the Arab Peace Initiative. See 8/30 for Axios’ reporting on the PA demands for support of the normalization deal.  (AX 9/3; MEE, QDS, TOI 9/4; HA, NYT 9/5; BBC, HA 9/7)

U.S. president Joe Biden nominated former Treasury Secretary Jack Lew to be the next U.S. ambassador to Israel. Lew will have to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate to be instated. Lew sits on the U.S. board of directors for the National Library of Israel, a partly Israeli state-owned institution. If confirmed, Lew will replace Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Stephanie Hallett who has led the embassy since Tom Nides resigned in July. (AJ, ALM, AX, HA, MEE, NYT, REU 9/5)

Haaretz reported that Israel continued to sell weapons to Myanmar after a U.S. and EU arms embargo was placed on the country and despite the Israeli government claiming it had ended arms sales to the country in 2018. (HA, MEE 9/5)

Papua New Guinean prime minister James Marape and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu inaugurated the Papua New Guinean embassy to Israel in Jerusalem. Marape cited his Christian beliefs in making the decision to open the embassy in Jerusalem, which Israel will fund for the first 2 years. PLO Executive Committee member Wasel Abu Yousef said that Israel was “looking for any country – even if that country can only be seen under a microscope – so it can claim there are countries opening embassies in Jerusalem.” A picture circulating on social media showed the embassy completely empty, except for the embassy plague, the day after the inauguration. The PA, Jordan, and the OIC condemned the opening of the embassy. (AJ, REU, TOI 9/5; WAFA 9/6; WAFA, WAFA 9/7)