In the West Bank, Israeli settlers steal an olive harvest from Palestinians in Kafr ad-Dik. Israeli forces raid Umm Lafsa, injuring a man with tear gas and seizing 2 vehicles and equipment from a blacksmith. Israeli forces also seize 57 dunams (14 acres) of land from Palestinians in Kafr Qaddum. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raze 20 dunams (4.9 acres) of land in Barta’a. Israeli forces also issue a demolition notice for a church in Bayt Jala. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest more than 45 Palestinians during raids. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers steal an olive harvest from Palestinians in Silwan. Israeli forces demolish commercial structures in Shu’fat refugee camp. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Beit Lahiya, Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City, and Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 20 people, including Palestinian journalist Wafa al-Udaini and her family in Dayr al-Balah. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb the al-Bass refugee camp, assassinating former UNRWA Teacher’s Association chairperson Fatah Sharif Abu al-Amine. Elsewhere, Israeli forces bomb Arzoun, Chehour, Hermel, Kawkaba, Rachaya al-Fakhar, Kfar Kila, Khaim, Marjayoun, Wazzani, and the Laylaki, al-Marija, Haret Hreik, and Bourj al-Barajneh neighborhoods of Beirut. The Lebanese health ministry says 95 people are killed, including a Lebanese soldier in Wazzani, and 172 injured. Hezbollah forces fire 25 rockets at Israel. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/30; HA 1/10)
More than 41,615 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 16,456 children and 11,088 women, and around 96,359 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 10,000 people are missing in rubble. 709 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 151 children. More than 6,000 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, 346 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 2,298 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 79,000 housing units have been destroyed and 370,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023. Israeli forces release the bodies of 12 Palestinians to Gaza. (AJ, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 9/30)
UNCHR says 100,000 people have fled Lebanon to Syria. (HA, WAFA 9/30)
Saudi Arabia says it will send $60 million in aid to the PA in 6 monthly installments. (NYT 9/30)
An Israeli invasion of Lebanon is reportedly imminent and Lebanese troops have reportedly moved 3 miles north of the Blue Line in preparation. Israel declares the areas around Metula, Misgav Am, and Kfar Giladi closed military zones. Lebanese prime minister Najib Mikati says the government is ready to implement UN Resolution 1701 and send its military to the south of Lebanon. Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz says Israel will not agree to a ceasefire unless Hezbollah moves north of the Litani river and disarms. Hezbollah deputy secretary-general Naim Qassem says that Hezbollah is ready for the possibility of an Israeli invasion. French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot calls for an immediate end to Israeli attacks on Lebanon after arriving in the country. The U.S. says it will send a “few thousand” additional troops to the Middle East to prepare to defend Israel if needed. The UK charters flights to Lebanon to offer evacuation to UK citizens. Belgian deputy prime minister Petra De Sutter calls on the EU to apply “maximum sanctions” on Israel, saying the “planned ground invasion of Lebanon grossly violates international law. This is not self-defense, but provoking all-out war.” (AJ, AP, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU 9/30; HA 1/10)
The Israeli High Court of Justice rejects a petition to force the government to release the body of former Palestinian prisoner Walid Daqqa to his family. The Security Cabinet decided earlier this year to withhold Daqqa’s body as leverage. (HA, HA, WAFA 9/30)
The U.S. announces a $336 million aid package to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. (REU, USAID 9/30; HA 10/1)