In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to olive trees in Burin. Israeli forces raid Jenin and Jenin refugee camp for the 11th day in a row, destroying infrastructure and homes. Israeli forces also continue raids in Tulkarm for the fifth day in a row, forcing Palestinians to flee their homes at gunpoint in Tulkarm refugee camp, demolishing homes, arresting 5 people, and opening fire on residents. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shoot and injure 2 children during a raid in al-Mughayyir. Israeli forces also violently disperse Palestinians protesters in Beita, causing tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces raid Husan, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also storm a wedding in Hebron, detaining the groom for an hour before releasing him. Separately, Israeli forces close the southern and eastern entrances to al-Khader. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian fisherman west of Nuseirat refugee camp. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb the Bekaa Valley, killing 2 people and injuring 10 others. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/31)
More than 47,461 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 17,818 children and 12,287 women, and around 111,580 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 11,000 people are missing in rubble. 893 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 179 children. More than 6,500 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, 408 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 2,485 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. 92% of all housing units in Gaza have been destroyed or severely damaged since 10/7/2023.
The PA, Belize, Bolivia, Cuba, Colombia, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, Senegal, and South Africa form The Hague Group. The PA calls the formation of the group a “historical move of coordinated state action” to uphold the principles of international law and “the realization of the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.” Belize also files an application with the ICJ to join the South African genocide case against Israel. (AJ, WAFA 1/31; HA 2/2)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas congratulates Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on becoming the new president of the country. (WAFA 1/31)
Hamas official Basem Naim tells Al Jazeera that Hamas is interested in meeting with anyone who can help it achieve its goals, including U.S. president Donald Trump. (AJ, AJ 1/31)
The EU deploys officials to Rafah as part of the restart of the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM). (AJ, AJ, AP, REU 1/31)
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric calls on Israel to end its assault on Jenin, saying nearly all of the 20,000 residents of Jenin refugee camp have been displaced. (AJ 1/31; WAFA 2/1)
U.S. president Donald Trump reiterates that he thinks Egypt and Jordan will take in Palestinians forcibly displaced from Gaza, saying “I think Jordan will take people from Gaza, and I think Egypt will take them also. I heard someone say they are not going to, but I think they will. I feel confident they will.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks with Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in a phone call, discussing “the path forward in Gaza,” according to a State Department statement. Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks with U.S. treasury secretary Scott Bessent. (AJ, HA 1/31; AJ 2/1)
The mother of released Israeli captive Emily Damari claims that Hamas held her daughter in UNRWA facilities in Gaza. UNRWA says the allegation must be investigated. (AJ, AP, HA 1/31; HA 2/2)
The New York Times reports that the Trump administration is considering sending 24,000 assault rifles to Israel. The State Department froze the transfer of the rifles under the Biden administration, fearing that they would be distributed to Israeli settlers. (HA, NYT 1/31)
Reuters reports that the U.S. is pressuring Lebanese officials not to allow Lebanese Parliament speaker Nabih Berri to nominate the next finance minister because of his ties to Hezbollah. (REU 1/31)
Reuters also reports that Israeli spyware company Paragon Solutions has targeted 90 WhatsApp users, including journalists and activists. WhatsApp tells the news agency that it has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Paragon Solutions following the spyware attack. (AJ, AJ, HA 1/31)
The University of Michigan strips funding for Students Allied for Freedom and Equality and bans the group for 2 years, saying it violated the university’s standards of conduct by holding unsanctioned pro-Palestine protests at the Ann Arbor campus last year. (AJ, AP 2/1)