In the West Bank, Israeli settlers and soldiers harass prominent Palestinian activist Issa Amro in Hebron, vandalizing parts of his home and attacking a solidarity activist in what is understood as an act of revenge for Amro’s participation in the new BBC documentary The Settlers. Israeli settlers also steal water pipelines supplying the northern part of the Jordan Valley. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers survey Palestinian homes in Arab al-Milehat. Israeli settlers also graze their sheep on Palestinian agricultural lands in Shaab al-Butum in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces continue raids in Jenin and Jenin refugee camp for the 103rd day in a row, shooting and injuring a Palestinian child in nearby Zababdeh. Israeli forces also seize road paving machinery in ‘Asira al-Qibliya. Elsewhere, Israeli forces continue raids in Tulkarm, Tulkarm refugee camp, and Nur Shams refugee camp for the 97th day in a row. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Rafah, al-Mawasi, and Jabalia refugee camp, killing at least 39 Palestinians. A Palestinian baby dies of malnutrition and dehydration at the Rantisi Hospital. The Gaza Media Office says 57 people have died of malnutrition. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces kill a Palestinian fisherman and injure another west of Gaza City. 2 Israeli soldiers are killed in combat in Rafah. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Qabrikha and Markaba. In Syria, Israeli forces bomb several places, killing 2 civilians and injuring 8 others. Syrian forces detain and interrogate PFLP-GC leader Talal Naji in Damascus before releasing him later in the day. In Yemen, U.S. forces bomb Kamaran Island and Hodeidah. Houthi forces launch a missile at Israel, which is intercepted. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/3; AJ, HA 5/4; UNOCHA 5/7
More than 52,495 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 18,000 children and 12,749 women, and around 118,336 have been injured since 10/7/2023. In addition, 14,222 Palestinians who have been missing are presumed dead. 958 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 192 children. More than 8,000 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 411 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 2,634 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. (AJ, WAFA 5/3)
The PLO Executive Committee elects Azzam al-Ahmad as the new PLO secretary-general, replacing recently appointed PLO vice president Hussein al-Sheikh. (WAFA 5/3)
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition says its activists are being prevented from reaching the damaged ship the Conscience, which was hit by 2 drones on 5/2. The coalition also says that the ship cannot reach a port without risking being seized. (AJ 5/3; AJ 5/4)
Israel sends out call-up notices to thousands of reservists. Up to 60,000 reserve troops are reportedly being called up. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT 5/3)
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office calls on ceasefire mediator Qatar to “pick a side” between “civilization” and “Hamas barbarism.” Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari responds that “portraying the ongoing aggression against Gaza as a defense of ‘civilization’ echoes the rhetoric of regimes throughout history that have used false narratives to justify their crimes against innocent civilians … Meanwhile, the Palestinian people in Gaza are enduring one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes of modern times. Is this truly the model of ‘civilization’ being promoted?” Netanyahu’s office also says he has postponed a visit to Azerbaijan due to recent events in Syria and Gaza. The Turkish Foreign Ministry says Netanyahu cannot use its airspace to fly to Azerbaijan. (AJ, HA, REU 5/3)
UN special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen “strongly condemns Israel’s continued and escalating violations of Syria’s sovereignty.” (AJ 5/3)
Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak calls for mass “civil disobedience” against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying Netanyahu has “declared war on Israel.” (AJ 5/3)