The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Palestinian militants handed the body of a Druze citizen of Israel to Israel after negotiations between the PA and the militant group. Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and the PA all called for the release of the body. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling west of Ramallah, causing damage. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinian students with live ammunition during a raid at the Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie in Tulkarm; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also demolished 3 agricultural structures in Kafr ad-Dik. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor before arresting him in Nil’in. Israeli forces also seized 2 caravans, demolished 1 agricultural structure, and razed land in Atara. 14 Palestinians were arrested, including 12 during late-night raids in al-Mughayyir, Bayt Rima, Qaddura refugee camp, ‘Anata, Arab ar-Rashayida, Beit Umar, Dura, Khirbet Qilqis, Azzun, and Huwwara. 2 were arrested at a flying checkpoint near the Halamish settlement. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian fisherman west of al-Sudaniyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces fired tear gas at agricultural lands east of Gaza City and Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 3 Palestinians from Hebron were kidnapped in Yarka by Druze citizens of Israel seeking revenge for the kidnapping on 11/22 (see above). The 3 Palestinians were hospitalized after they were released. (HA, HA 11/23; AP, CNN, HA, HA, MEMO, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/24; ALM, MEMO, UNOCHA 11/25; MEMO 11/27; PCHR 12/1; UNOCHA 12/16)

Israel revoked 200 of the 15,500 work permits for Palestinians in Gaza, saying that a laborer had admitted that he planned to plant a bomb on a bus on behalf of Islamic Jihad. The man was arrested on 10/30. (REU 11/24)

In the West Bank, a 14-year-old Israeli settler was shot in the head by a stray bullet in the Kiryat Arba settlement. It was reported that the bullet was assumed to have been fired during a wedding celebration. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Sa‘ir, causing damage. Israeli settlers also vandalized 23 Palestinian-owned vehicles in Beit Iksa, slashing tires and writing racist graffiti. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian family harvesting olives near al-Shuyukh with clubs, pipes, and stones, hospitalizing 5 members of the family. Israeli settlers also raided Burin, throwing stones at Palestinian homes, causing damage. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians, including a 14-year-old, and injured 4 others during a raid in Jenin refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a raid in Beit Duqqu. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 residential structure and sealed 2 water wells in Arab al-Feihat and demolished 2 residential structures in Bruqin. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beit Sira, Bayt Rima, al-Mughayyir, Aida refugee camp, Fawwar refugee camp, Nablus, Jenin, Kufeirit, and Ya‘bad. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian after he allegedly stabbed 1 Israeli police officer in the Old City; 2 Israeli police officers were lightly injured by shots fired by other police officers. After the incident Israel closed the Haram al-Sharif compound to Palestinians, only allowing Jewish visitors. In Gaza, 4 rockets were fired by Palestinian militants toward Israel, 3 landing inside of Gaza and a 4th being intercepted; causing no injuries or damage. Israel subsequently conducted air strikes on Gaza hitting sites in Maghazi refugee camp, causing damage. It was later reported that Hamas authorities had arrested 2 Palestinians suspected of having fired the 4 rockets. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/3; AA, AJ, AP, MDW, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, TOI, WAFA 11/4; HA, MEE, TOI 11/6; PCHR 11/10; ALM, UNOCHA 11/13; HA 11/18)

Israel said it had lifted all restrictions on movement in and out of Nablus after a 3-week siege of the city. Subsequently, PA prime minister Muhammad Shtayyeh toured the city with 30 representatives from foreign countries. Prime Minister Shtayyeh called the siege imposed on Nablus collective punishment. (HA, WAFA 11/3; ALM 11/4; MEMO 11/5)

Outgoing Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid spoke with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken in a phone call. The U.S. State Department said Blinken “underscored the need for all parties to urgently de-escalate the situation” in the West Bank. (HA 11/5)

128 scholars signed a statement urging the UN not to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism, calling it “divisive and polarizing. The IHRA working definition of anti-Semitism has been criticized for conflating criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. The statement suggested the UN instead use the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism. (JDF, JP 11/1; AJ 11/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians and Israeli activists working an olive grove near Turmus ‘Ayya and set fire to 2 Palestinian-owned vehicles. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian homes in ‘Ayn Bus. Israeli forces shot and killed 5 Palestinians and injured 21 others during a late-night raid in Nablus. Israel claimed it was raiding Nablus to destroy an explosives lab belonging to the Lion’s Den group; at least 1 anti-tank missile was fired by Israeli forces during the raid. The PA called the raid a war crime and said it had reached out to the U.S. to pressure Israel to end its deadly raids. Tens of thousands attended the funeral procession for the 5 victims and a general strike was issued in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian during a raid in Nabi Salih. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in Hebron against the raid in Nablus, injuring 3 with live ammunition and others with baton rounds and tear gas. Israeli forces also seized 2 residential tents in al-Juwaya in the Masafer Yatta area, and assaulted Palestinians resisting the seizure. Meanwhile, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian home in Bani Na‘im. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Bireh, injuring 1 with live ammunition. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Aida refugee camp, injuring 1 with live ammunition. (NYT 10/24; AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AX, BB, BBC, CNN, DW, GDN, HA, HA, INT, JP, LT, MDW, MEE, PCHR, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WSJ 10/25; AJ 10/26; ALM, PCHR 10/27; UNOCHA 11/1; UNOCHA 11/13; HA 11/18)

The Israeli military suspended the security coordinator of the Har Bracha settlement after a video from 10/21 showed that he aided Israeli settlers in attacking Palestinians while in military uniform near Burin. The security coordinator was seen providing a settler with a gas grenade while he was watching the settlers attack Palestinians. The security coordinator was reinstated on 10/30. (HA 10/26; HA 10/31)

PLO secretary general Hussein al-Sheikh met with the ambassadors of Jordan, Egypt, France, and Germany, known as the Munich Group, to continue talks about developing a political horizon for ending the occupation. (WAFA 10/25)

Leader of the Hamas political bureau Ismail Haniyeh met with a delegation from the Taliban-led Afghan government in Istanbul. (MEMO 10/26; MEE 10/28)

Israeli president Isaac Herzog met with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken in Washington. Secretary Blinken said that the 2 discussed the need to deescalate the situation in the West Bank. (HA 10/26)

Amnesty International urged the ICC to “investigate unlawful attacks committed during Israel’s August 2022 assault on the Gaza Strip as war crimes.” Amnesty said it had investigated 3 deadly incidents during the assault, 2 of which it with certainty ascribed to Israel and 1 which “likely” was caused by an unguided rocket fired by Palestinian militants. The 2 Israeli attacks Amnesty investigated killed 6 Palestinian civilians, including “a four-year-old boy, a teenager visiting his mother’s grave, and a 22-year-old student at home with her family.” Amnesty said that of the 49 Palestinians killed, 33 were killed by Israel and 7 were killed by rockets fired by Palestinian militants; it was unclear who had caused the deaths of the remaining 8. (AI, AJ, MEE 10/25)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian shot on 10/15 in Qarawat Bani Hassan succumbed to his injuries. Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Qiffin. Israeli settlers also vandalized solar panels in al-Farisiyya. in Tell. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized a Palestinian school in ‘Urif, igniting a fire and smashing windows with stones. Israeli forces demolished 1 residential structure in Tell. In East Jerusalem, some 250 Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/16; PCHR 10/20; UNOCHA 11/1)

Israel closed the crossings to the West Bank and Gaza from 4 P.M. to 10/17 at 11.59 P.M. for the Jewish Sukkot holiday. (HA 10/7)

As collective punishment, Israel denied entry permits to 164 Palestinians related to people Israel perceives to be part of the Lion’s Den militia in Nablus. In the announcement, Israel touted that it had revoked entry permits this year for 2,500 Palestinians who are related to persons Israel considers militant. (HA, JP, TOI 10/16)

Israel charged 2 Palestinian citizens of Israel with cooperating with Hamas. (HA 10/16)

Lebanon reported that it had complained to the UN of 4 instances where Israeli naval forces have made incursions into Lebanese territorial waters, as demarked by the Israeli-Lebanese maritime agreement signed earlier this week. Israel denied that it had crossed into Lebanese territory. (HA, REU 10/16)

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, Israeli forces demolished 1 mobile home, water tanks, and tree saplings in az-Za‘ayyem, and 1 agricultural structure in Nahalin. Israeli forces also handed 1 demolition notice against 1 house, stop-work orders against 13 structures in Deir Balut, and 3 stop-work orders against homes in al-Twana in the Masafer Yatta area. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jaba‘, Silat al-Harithiyya, al-Yamun, ad-Doha, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested 1 Palestinian man, alleging that he stabbed 1 Palestinian police officer at the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/28; WAFA 6/29; PCHR 6/30; UNOCHA 7/22)

Hamas released a video of 1 Israeli citizen held prisoner in Gaza, Hisham al-Sayid, who they say is in deteriorating health. Al-Sayid was seen in the video lying in a bed with an oxygen mask and IV drip. The man was arrested by Hamas after crossing from Israel to Gaza in 2015. (AP, MEE, REU 6/28; MEMO 6/29)

The UAE overturned a death sentence against 1 Palestinian citizen of Israel who was arrested 1 year ago for carrying more than 1 pound of cocaine. She was sentenced to life in prison on 7/7. (AP, HA 6/28; HA 7/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians using live ammunition during a raid in Dheisheh refugee camp. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ramallah, Bayt Rima, Beit Ula, Fawwar refugee camp, Idhna, Jenin, Jericho, and Fari‘ah refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Silwan and Shu‘fat refugee camp. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/23; PCHR 6/30; UNOCHA 7/2)

The Israeli justice ministry began the process of registering land adjacent to the Haram al-Sharif compound, including at the Ophel Archeological Park in the Old City. (HA 6/26; MEE 6/27; MEMO 6/29)

Israeli military authorities extended the administrative detention period of 1 Palestinian prisoner by 4 months despite promising to release him at the end of his current detention period after he had been hunger striking for 111 days. The man is currently hospitalized for complications related to his hunger strike, which he ended on 6/21. The man resumed his hunger strike on 7/2 (WAFA 6/23; WAFA 7/5)

Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh met with Hezbollah secretary general Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut. There were also reports that Haniyeh was scheduled to meet with Lebanese president Michel Aoun and prime minister Najib Mikati. (HA 6/23)

The PLO executive committee met in Ramallah. During the meeting, the committee discussed the U.S. Biden administration’s failure to fulfil its promises to the Palestinian people and plans to initiate national dialogue to end the intra-Palestinian political division. (WAFA 6/24)

Peace Now released a report marking the first year of the Bennett-Lapid government, detailing how the current Israeli government has accelerated the displacement of Palestinians compared to average numbers during the Netanyahu governments. Compared with the yearly average of the Netanyahu governments, the Bennett-Lapid government has promoted 26% more settlement units, issued tenders for 15% more settlement construction, demolished 35% more Palestinian homes in the West Bank, and 59% more Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem. Additionally, settler violence has risen with 45% and 45 more Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces compared with the yearly average of the Netanyahu governments. (PCN 6/23)

Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid met with his Türkiye counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in Ankara, in a bid to further normalized relations between the 2 countries. (AJ, ALM, HA, MEE, REU 6/23)

24 Democratic senators, led by Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), wrote a letter to the Biden administration, calling on it to “ensure that a comprehensive, impartial, and open investigation” into the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh is conducted. The senators also addressed secretary of state Antony Blinken, attorney general Merrick Garland, and FBI director Christopher Wray. (HA, MEE, REU 6/23; AJ, MDW, WAFA 6/24)

President of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi told the National Assembly that Suriname would not build an embassy to Israel in Jerusalem, citing budget constraints. Suriname announced plans to open an embassy to Israel in Jerusalem during a visit by its foreign minister Albert Ramdin on 5/30. (AJ, HA 6/24)

UNRWA announced that it had received pledges of $160 million for its general programming, but warned that it still expects a shortfall of $100 million in its core budget for 2022. (WAFA 6/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 3 Palestinians in Burqa and threw stones at vehicles and homes in the town. Israeli forces closed the main road between Nablus and Qalqilya, impeding Palestinian movement. Israeli forces also leveled 3 dunams (0.75 acres) of land planted with olive trees near Wadi Rahal. 24 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, Ramallah, Huwwara, Qalqilya, Ya‘bad, Yatta, Sa‘ir, and Bani Na‘im. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinians east of Khuza‘a and Maghazi; no injuries were reported. (MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/26; UNOCHA 6/4)

The PA announced it had finished its investigation into the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, concluding that Israel deliberately killed her. The PA findings are aligned with investigations made by AP and CNN, and with eyewitness accounts. Israel called the PA conclusion “a blatant lie.” The investigation found that the bullet that hit Abu Akleh was a 5.56 mm round used by NATO forces and that it was fired from 186 yards. The PA will not hand over the bullet to Israel, as Israel had requested. The PA handed a copy of its investigation to the U.S. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 5/26)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas appointed PA minister for civil affairs Hussein al-Sheikh the new secretary-general of the PLO Executive Committee. The position of secretary-general had been vacant since Saeb Erakat passed due to complications from the COVID-19 virus on 11/10/2020. (HA, MEE, WAFA 5/26)

Al Jazeera said it was preparing a file to be sent to the ICC pertaining to the Israeli killing of its journalist Abu Akleh and the Israeli bombing their offices in Gaza in May 2021. (AJ, MEE, REU 5/26; AP, HA 5/27)

The Iraqi parliament approved a law criminalizing the normalization of Israel, with 275 out of 329 votes in favor. The law applied to all Iraqi citizens, state and independent institutions, and foreigners working in Iraq. Violations of the law can be punishable by death sentences or life imprisonment. (AJ, HA, WAFA 5/26; NYT 5/27; MEMO 5/30)

83 Democrats in the U.S. house and senate signed a letter to U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken urging him to intervene against Israeli plans to forcefully displace more than 1,000 Palestinians living in Masafer Yatta, an area Israel has converted into a firing zone. The letter underscored that the Israeli move “could further undermine efforts to reach a two-state solution” and contravenes international law. (ALM, HA 5/26; MDW, MEE, WAFA 5/27; TOI 5/31)

The U.S. company Meta, which operates Facebook, turned down an Israeli request to block a Facebook page Israel claims is “clearly linked to Hamas.” Meta said that the Israeli claim did not hold any merit. (HA 5/26)

In the West Bank, 3 Israeli settlers, including 2 minors, were injured by Palestinians throwing stones at their vehicle near Huwwara. Israeli settlers vandalized 140 olive and almond trees and water tanks in Qaryut. Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians, including a minor during a raid in Jenin; 1 Palestinian security officer was also arrested during the raid. Israeli forces also demolished 2 agricultural structures in the Masafer Yatta villages of al-Twana and al-Juwaya. Elsewhere, Israeli forces erected a watchtower in Hebron. Israeli forces also demolished 1 mosque under construction in Arab al-Ramadin, leading to a confrontation with Palestinians; 3 were injured with live ammunition and baton rounds, and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Abu Dis, Ras Karkar, Harmala, Surif, Dura, and Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen and confiscated their boats within 6 nautical miles northwest of Rafah; the 2 were released through the Erez crossing on 5/25. (JP, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/24; AJ, HA, PCHR, TOI 5/25; PCHR 5/26; UNOCHA 6/4)

A CNN investigation confirmed eyewitness reports and other independent investigations that Israeli forces shot and killed Palestinian American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh on 5/11 in Jenin refugee camp and that her killing was likely deliberate. CNN’s investigation was based on 11 video clips, forensic findings at the scene of the murder, audio analysis of the gunshots, and 8 eyewitness testimonies. Explosive weapons expert Chris Cobb-Smith found in his analysis that the markings from the shots near the body of Abu Akleh indicated that the murder was deliberate as they did not suggest they were a result of a burst of automatic fire, but intentionally targeted. CNN further confirmed through eyewitness accounts that there was no crossfire in the area where Abu Akleh was killed, as Israel continues to claim. Israel has refused to open a criminal investigation into the killing. (AP, CNN, HA, MDW, TOI 5/24; HA, JP, MEMO, WAFA 5/25)

Israel’s civil administration retroactively legalized the Mitzpe Lachish settlement outpost and approved construction of 158 new settlement units near Dura. (WAFA 5/24; MEMO 5/25)

The U.S. announced sanctions against 1 individual alleged to have raised money for Hamas and on Hamas’s Investment Office, which holds assets in Sudan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, and the UAE. (ALM, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU 5/24)

Referencing the U.S. decision to delist Kahane Chai from its list of foreign terrorist organizations on 5/13, the PA called on the U.S. Biden administration to remove the PLO from the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations. (WAFA 5/24; MEMO 5/25)

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) slammed the EU for withholding aid from the PA due to 1 Hungarian Commissioner’s dissatisfaction with PA school textbooks. The NRC said the withholding of aid is jeopardizing the life of more than 500 cancer patients that have been unable to access proper treatment at the Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem and have led to salary cuts and cuts in aid to the most vulnerable Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. The EU is withholding some $230 million in aid. (AJ, WAFA 5/24; MEMO 5/25)

Former Israeli foreign minister and prominent MK of the Likud party Israel Katz boasted that he had threatened Palestinian students in Israel with a 2d Nakba if they continue to wave Palestinian flags at universities. Katz said, “Remember our independence war and your Nakba, don’t stretch the rope too much. [. . .] If you don’t calm down, we’ll teach you a lesson that won’t be forgotten.” (MDW 5/24; HA 5/26)

Turkey’s foreign minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu arrived in Israel for a 2-day visit to Israel, Jerusalem, and the West Bank. Turkey’s and Israel’s normalization efforts were reported as a way for Turkey to strengthen its relations with the UAE and Egypt, for Israel and Turkey to cooperate in Syria to build a gas pipeline between the 2 countries, and for Israel to incentivize Turkey to take a tougher stance on Hamas. During the 1st day of his trip, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu met with PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki in Ramallah, voicing support for a 2-state solution and criticizing Israeli settlements. Çavuşoğlu also met with PA president Mahmoud Abbas. The Turkish and Palestinian officials signed 9 cooperation agreements, including on economics, trade and infrastructure, and for developing an industrial area in Jenin. (AJ, ALM, AP, F24, HA, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 5/24; HA, HA 5/25)

President Abbas met with president of the EU parliament Roberta Metsola in Ramallah. (WAFA 5/24)

Politico reported that U.S. president Joe Biden, in a 4/24 phone call to Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, had assured him that the U.S. administration would not take Iran’s Revolutionary Guard off the U.S. list of terrorist organizations. President Biden’s decision was seen as an obstruction in finding common ground between the U.S. and Iran with the U.S.’s reentering the Iran Nuclear Deal. Prime Minister Bennett’s office confirmed the reporting. (HA, JP, POL 5/24; AX, MEMO 5/25; HA 5/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole 1 residential tent and vandalized a fence in Khirbet Martaba. Israeli also settlers assaulted 2 Palestinian minors in Qusra, leading to the hospitalization of 1 of them. Israeli forces subsequently violently dispersed Palestinians in Qusra protesting the settler attack, injuring 22 with baton rounds and tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and injured 7 Palestinians with baton rounds during a raid in Jifna; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, Ras Karkar, Beit Fajjar, and al-‘Ain refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, dozens of Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces assaulted and detained 4 Palestinians in the Old City. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/22; WAFA 5/23; PCHR 5/26; UNOCHA 6/4)

A Jerusalem court overturned an Israeli police decision to bar 3 Jewish people from entering the Haram al-Sharif compound after they violated the ban on praying at the Muslim site. PA president Mahmoud Abbas called the court decision “a grave assault against the historic status quo,” and Jordan said the ruling violates international law. Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett’s office issued a statement saying that there had been no policy change at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Hamas said that the court decision crossed “all red lines and is a dangerous escalation.” Israeli police appealed the decision on 5/23. (AJ, HA, MEMO, REU, TOI 5/22; CNN, HA, JP, MEE, TOI, WAFA 5/23)

The 6 Palestinians who escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6/2021 were sentenced to 5 years in prison for their escape and each fined $1,487. 5 other Palestinian prisoners were sentenced to 4 years for assisting in their escape. (AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, WAFA 5/22)

Hamas imposed a 16.5% tax on 24 products from the West Bank, including bottled water and soft drinks. PA economy minister Khaled al-Osaily called the new taxes “illegal and not permissible within the same nation.” (ALM 6/1)

Hamas and the PA warned Israel, in separate statements, against carrying out the right-wing flag march through East Jerusalem on 5/29. (HA, MEMO 5/22)

Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi, who on 5/19 announced that she was leaving the Israeli government coalition, said she would resume supporting the coalition after meetings with foreign minister Yair Lapid and several mayors. Rinawie Zoabi’s reversal brought the government coalition back to an equal number of Knesset members to that of the opposition. Rinawie Zoabi told her colleagues on 5/19 that she was leaving the coalition due to Israeli attacks on Palestinians at the Haram al-Sharif compound and at the funeral for Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. She further stated that the government coalition is not a government of change but a right-wing government. (AP, AX, HA, MEMO, NYT, REU 5/22; HA 5/23)

In Iran, a colonel in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Forces, Hassan Sayyad Khodaei, was assassinated in front of his house in Tehran by 2 people on a motorbike. Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi said on 5/23 that the assassination is being investigated and that Iran will revenge the killing. The New York Times reported later, on 5/25, that Israel had told the U.S. that it was behind the assassination of Khodaei. (AA, AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU, TOI 5/22; AP, GDN, HA, IN, JP, MEE, REU 5/23; AJ, ALM, AP, HA 5/24; HA, NYT 5/25; HA 5/26; REU 5/29; REU 5/30)

Chairperson of the EU parliament’s relations with Palestine Manu Pineda was forced to cancel a trip to the occupied Palestinian territories with a group of other EU parliamentarians after Israel refused to allow him entry to Israel and his delegation access to Gaza. President of the EU parliament Roberta Metsola said on Twitter that she regretted the decision but that she would continue her visit to Israel. (HA, TOI 5/21; AJ, JP, TOI 5/22; HA, MEMO, WAFA 5/23; MEMO 5/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 20 olive trees in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in Deir Salah in Area A. Israeli forces also raided the Palestine Technical University in Tulkarm, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces opened fire near a girl’s school in Duma, causing panic among students. 1 Palestinian minor was arrested at the Havat Maon settlement. 9 others were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron, Harmala, Rafat, Tell, Jenin refugee camp, and al-Yamun. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/18; PCHR, WAFA 5/19; UNOCHA 6/4)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki met with Dutch foreign minister Wopke Hoekstra in Ramallah. Foreign Minister Hoekstra also met with representatives from the Palestinian NGO Al Haq, drawing ire from Israel as Al Haq is 1 of 6 Palestinian rights organizations that were deemed terrorist organizations by Israel in 10/2021. Hoekstra subsequently told reporters that “there isn’t a single European state—nor the United States—that has arrived at the same conclusions as has Israel [in regards to the terrorism accusations]. If there is proof, then we should see and we should review it. An accusation in and of itself can never be sufficient for a country that subscribes to the rule of law.” (WAFA, WAFA 5/18; JP 5/19)

The Hamas-affiliated Islamic Wafa bloc won the Birzeit University student council elections with 28 of 51 seats. The Fatah-affiliated Shabibia bloc won 18 seats. (MEE, MEMO, MEMO 5/19; MEMO 5/20; ALM 5/25)

Haaretz reported that the leaders of Turkey, Jordan, and the UAE had accepted an invitation by Israel’s president Isaac Herzog to discuss regional cooperation in climate change. (HA 5/18)

In the West Bank, Israel forces raided Salim, injuring Palestinians with tear gas and arresting 1. 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Sa‘ir, Bethlehem, Balata refugee camp, Kafr Qalil, and Qibya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians at the Haram al-Sharif compound to make way for 1,538 Israeli settlers touring the compound. 3 settlers were detained by Israeli police for loudly praying at the compound. 100s of Israeli far-right protesters marched in the Old City, chanting anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim slogans. Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid called the march “a provocation that causes us damage.” 4 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City, including 3 minors. (HA 4/19; ALM, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/20; HA, HA, PCHR 4/21; UNOCHA 5/13)

Israel announced that it is closing all crossings from the West Bank and Gaza to East Jerusalem and Israel from 5 P.M. on 4/21 until an unspecified time on 4/23 for the Jewish holiday of Passover. Exceptions will be made for Palestinians from the West Bank with permits to pray at the Haram al-Sharif compound for the Friday prayers on 4/22 and for humanitarian and medical crossings. (HA 4/21)

Hamas convened with leaders of militant groups in Gaza at Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar’s office. Hamas sources said that Sinwar urged the militant leaders to coordinate after a militant faction fired a rocket at Israel on 4/18. (HA 4/19)

U.S. acting assistant secretary of state for Near East affairs Yael Lempert and deputy assistant secretary for Israeli and Palestinian affairs Hady Amr met with Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi, discussing the situation in Jerusalem. (HA 4/20; MEMO 4/21)

The PA and Germany signed an agreement for Germany to provide $17.3 million to build 2 solar power plants in Gaza. (WAFA 4/20)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian high school student who was shot by Israeli forces on 4/9 using live ammunition on her way home from school in Deir Ghazaleh succumbed to her injures. Israeli forces shot and seriously wounded 2 Palestinians during a raid in al-Yamun; 1 would later succumb to his injuries on 4/22. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians during a raid in Qarawat Bani Zeid. Elsewhere, Israeli forces placed dirt mounds on rural roads in the Masafer Yatta area and seized 1 school vehicle in al-Fakhit. 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Husan, al-Yamun, Ramallah, and Fasayil. In East Jerusalem, 561 Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid. In Gaza, 1 rocket was launched at Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Israel subsequently fired a missile at Khan Yunis, causing damage. Hamas said it had fired an anti-aircraft missile at the jet conducting the air strike but that the missile had failed to hit the jet. Israeli forces also opened fire at Palestinian agricultural lands east of Abasan and Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AP, F24, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, MEMO, NPR, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/18; HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA 4/19; MEMO 4/20; PCHR 4/21; HA, WAFA 4/22; UNOCHA 4/23)

Israeli authorities closed al-Ibrahimi Mosque for Palestinian visitors on 4/18 and 4/19 to facilitate a concert for Israeli settlers. (MEMO, MEMO 4/19)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan, discussing the latest Israeli violations on the Haram al-Sharif compound during the weekend. President Abbas also spoke with Russian president Vladimir Putin, who condemned Israel’s attacks on Palestinian worshippers at the compound. (HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 4/18)

Jordan summoned the Israeli charge d’affaires for questioning about the Israeli-led violence on the Haram al-Sharif compound on 4/15 and 4/17. Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi also said that Jordan will host an emergency meeting of the Arab League on 4/21 to discuss the violence. (HA, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 4/18)

An investigation by The New Yorker revealed that Spain had used the Israeli company NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware to hack the phones of 60 Catalonian leaders and activists. The investigation also revealed that Pegasus spyware was used against employees of UK prime minister Boris Johnson’s office. Citizen Lab, which cooperated with The New Yorker for the story, suspected that the UAE was behind the hack. The piece also cited NSO Group CEO Shalev Hulio, saying that “almost all governments in Europe are using our [NSO Group’s] tools.” (AP, HA, New Yorker 4/18; MEMO 4/19; HA 4/24)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian minor succumbed to injuries sustained by Israeli forces during a raid in Kafr Dan on 4/14. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Qarawat Bani Hassan, injuring 1 Palestinian minor with live ammunition and others with tear gas; the minor was also arrested. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 1 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 3 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Qaryut, Beita, and Bazariya, leading to tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians at the Haram al-Sharif compound, including inside al-Aqsa Mosque, injuring more than 152 Palestinians with baton rounds, batons, and tear gas, including 8 who were admitted into intensive care facilities. Several Palestinian journalists at the compound were violently beaten by Israeli police, causing broken limbs. 3 Israeli police officers were lightly injured. Some 470 Palestinians were arrested at the compound before noon prayers, where some 50,000 worshippers were praying, about half from the West Bank. Around 440 were released within 24 hours, some of whom were banned from entering the compound until after the end of Ramadan. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, MEE, NYT, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/15; MEMO, REU 4/16 HA 4/18; PCHR 4/21; UNOCHA 4/23)

Hamas, the PA, Jordan, Morocco, UAE, Bahrain, the United Arab List, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemned the Israeli-led violence at the Haram al-Sharif compound (see above). The U.S. state department released a statement urging “all sides to exercise restraint, avoid provocative actions and rhetoric, and preserve the historic status quo on the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount.” The spokesperson for UN secretary general António Guterres expressed grave concern about the situation in Jerusalem. (HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/15; HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/16)

Palestinians in the West Bank are under an Israeli-imposed curfew for the Jewish holiday of Passover, beginning at 4 P.M. and continuing until 4/17. Crossings between Gaza and Israel are closed. (HA 4/14; HA 4/15; HA 4/16)

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh spoke to Arab League secretary general Ahmed Aboul Gheit about the Israeli attacks on Palestinians at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Haniyeh also spoke with Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and speaker of the Kuwaiti parliament Marzouq al-Ghanim in separate calls. (MEMO 4/16)

At a Passover seder hosted by U.S. vice president Kamala Harris and 2nd gentleman Doug Emhoff, the couple served wine made by the settler winery Psagot Winery in the West Bank. The senior advisor for communications to Vice President Harris said in a tweet that “the wine served at the Seder was in no way intended to be an expression of policy.” (HA, MDW 4/17; MEE 3/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort raided Asira al-Qibliya, throwing stones at houses and vehicles, leading to a confrontation with Palestinian residents; tear-gas related injuries were reported. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians sitting near Herod’s Gate plaza, causing injuries from pepper spray; 1 minor was arrested. (WAFA, WAFA 3/26; PCHR 3/31; UNOCHA 4/10)

Palestinians in the West Bank voted in the 2d round of municipal elections. No elections were held in Gaza as Hamas boycotted the elections, and in East Jerusalem Israel prevented elections from taking place. In the week leading up to the elections, Israel arrested 3 candidates and there was speculation whether Israel had coordinated with Fatah to ensure that the party would win the election. The Central Elections Commission said that the voter turnout for the 2d phase of the municipal elections was 53.69%. Candidates running on independent lists won 64.4% of the votes. Hamas, which formally boycotted the elections, allowed candidates to run as independents in the West Bank. (WAFA 3/21; HA, MEE 3/25; AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/26; WAFA 3/27; ALM 3/28; ALM, PCHR 3/29)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken arrived in Israel for a 3-day visit attending a summit of countries that have normalized ties with Israel and for meetings with PA officials. Secretary Blinken will later visit Morocco and Algeria. Jordan was said to have been informally invited and had declined the invitation. The PA called on the participants to bring up issues related to Palestinians during the summit and criticized Israel for using Iran to remove Palestine from the international agenda. (AX 3/25; AP, HA 3/26; HA, HA 3/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles at a checkpoint near Burqa; 1 Israeli settler was arrested by the Israeli forces, but Israeli police released him shortly after he was handed to them. Israeli settlers also threw stones at 2 Palestinian sisters herding sheep in Kisan. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers raided Sabastia, using pepper spray on Palestinians. Israeli forces demolished parts of 1 Palestinian home and razed 7 dunams (1.7 acres) of land in al-Ramadin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians, throwing stones and snowballs at Israeli forces in al-Tur; 22 Palestinians were arrested. Israeli forces also shot 1 Palestinian minor with a rubber-coated bullet and arrested him after he allegedly threw a stone at a police car. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Deir al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (TOI, WAFA, WAFA 1/26; HA, PCHR, TOI 1/27)

1 64-year-old Palestinian prisoner suffering from schizophrenia was found dead in his cell at Nitzan prison. (PCHR 1/27)

1 million doses of Russian-made Sputnik COVID-19 vaccines entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing. The 1 million doses of the Sputnik vaccine were donated by the UAE. The PA health ministry said that about 30% of Gaza’s population is vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. Almost 2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been delivered to Gaza since the start of the pandemic in early 2020. (HA 1/27)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas extended the COVID-19-related state of emergency by 30 days. The state of emergency was 1st declared in March 2020. (WAFA 1/26; MEMO 1/27)

The autopsy performed after the death of an 80-year-old Palestinian American man in Jiljilyya on 1/12 found that the man died of a heart attack caused by “external violence.” The man had been detained by Israeli forces who gagged, blindfolded, and cuffed him. The Israeli soldiers uncuffed him before leaving him in a cold room, where he was found dead later in the night. (ALM, MEE, NYT 1/26; AP, HA 1/27)

Director of the Crisis and Conflict division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) Lama Fakih said that Amnesty International’s security lab had verified that her phone was infected with the NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware 5 times between April and August 2021. Director Fakih was 1st alerted to the spyware infection by the company Apple on 23 and 24 November. NSO Group told HRW that it is “not aware of any active customer using [its] technology against Human Rights Watch staff member.” Fakih’s work includes monitoring human rights abuses in Syria, Myanmar, Israel, Palestine, Afghanistan, and the U.S. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HRW, MEE, MEMO 1/26; WP 1/27)

Axios reported that a cable sent from the Israeli foreign ministry to Israeli embassies told its employees that it was a top priority to delegitimize the UN human rights council’s inquiry into human rights violations in Israel, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, set up after the Israeli attacks on Gaza in May 2021. (AX 1/26; JP, MDW, TOI 1/27; MEMO 1/28; HA 2/2)

Lebanon signed a deal to purchase electricity from Jordan via Syria. The deal is expected to give Lebanon 2 hours of additional electricity a day within 2 months. It is expected that the World Bank will finance the deal. (AP, MEMO, REU 1/26)

UK secretary of education Nadhim Zahawi said that protesters chanting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” could face prosecution in the UK, as he views the chant as related to Hamas. Secretary Zahawi’s comment was made during a conference on anti-Semitism hosted by his ministry. (MEE 1/27)

In the West Bank, 2 Israeli soldiers were injured during a training accident near the Ma’ale Adumim settlement. Israeli settlers with military escort marched near al-Bireh. Israeli settlers also uprooted and stole some 30 olive saplings on a fenced plot of land in the Masafer Yatta area. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers with military escort marched toward Beita, leading to clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces; 28 were injured by tear gas. The settler march was organized by the Samaria Regional Council and advertised with the slogan “We want a Jewish state.” Israeli forces delivered an eviction notice to 1 Palestinian family in Kafr ad-Dik, telling them to vacate 5 dunams (2.5 acres) of land planted with 60 olive trees. Israeli forces also demolished 1 agricultural structure in Nabi Ilyas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided a school in Deir Nidham, arresting 2 students. 15 others were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, Ein Yabrud, Tuqu‘, and Beit Umar. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Bayt Hanina, displacing 7. 4 Palestinians were arrested in Kafr ‘Aqab and Silwan. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled farmland north of Beit Lahiya and east of Khuza‘a. In the Naqab, Israeli police arrested more than 30 Palestinian Bedouins who allegedly took part in the demonstrations against the forestation program meant to displace Bedouins in the Naqab last week. Activists later protested in front for a court in Beersheba, demanding their release. (HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/18; MEMO 1/19; MEMO, PCHR 1/20)

Israel released Palestinian lawmaker Nayef Rajoub of Hamas after 8 months of administrative detention. Rajoub was arrested on 5/20/2021. (MEMO 1/19)

The Fatah Central Committee voted unanimously to elect Rawhi Fattouh as the new chairperson of the PNC after Salim Zanoun retired from the post. (WAFA 1/19)

Israel and the U.S. tested the Arrow 3 Weapons System in Israel. The Arrow 3 system is designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles. (HA 1/18; ALM 1/20)

Israeli newspaper Calcalist reported that Israeli police have been using the NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware to surveil Israeli citizens, including activists protesting against former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli mayors, and other politicians. The spyware was said to have been used without a warrant or court order. The Israeli police bought the spyware from NSO Group in 2013 for $859,500, according to an invoice. The police have subsequently bought upgrades to the system, adding to the initial price tag. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, MEMO, REU 1/18; AJ, AP, HA 1/19; AJ, ALM, HA, HA, HA, MEMO, MEMO, TOI 1/20; REU 1/21; HA 1/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided al-Mughayyir, killing 3 sheep and injuring 3 others. Israeli settlers with military escort also raided a tree-planting event in Burqa, leading to clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian homes in Hebron. Israeli forces seized 1 excavator in Madama. 2 Palestinians were arrested during a house raid in Beit Fajjar. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers raided Isawiya, chanting racist slogans at Palestinians. Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound, entering al-Aqsa Mosque. 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Sur Baher, displacing 10. In Israel, Israeli forces raided Megiddo prison, damaging Palestinian prisoners’ belongings. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of al-Qarara, Maghazi, and Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/9; MEMO, MEMO, MEMO 1/10; PCHR 1/13)

Hamas’s Interior Ministry said 1 person was arrested for the assassination of Palestinian engineer Fadi Mohammad al-Batsh in Malaysia in 2018. Hamas alleged that the person, who was arrested upon entering Gaza, had confessed to the assassination and that the person was carrying out the assassination in coordination with the Mossad. (HA, MEMO, TOI 1/9; MEMO 1/10)

Hamas’s Health Ministry called on the international community to pressure Israel to allow more oxygen and ventilators to enter Gaza, saying the hospitals in Gaza will not be able to cope with the increase in COVID-19 virus cases because of the spread of the highly infectious Omicron strain. (HA 1/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian herders near Khirbat Samra, forcing the Palestinian herders to leave the area. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian homes in Hebron, causing damage. 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 at a checkpoint near the Beit El settlement and 2 during a late-night raid in Anabta. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israel carried out air strikes, hitting 2 sites near Khan Yunis and other sites near Beit Hanun and Beit Lahiya, causing damage. It was reported in Palestinian media that Palestinian militants had fired anti-aircraft missiles at Israeli helicopters conducting the missile strikes, but they had missed their target. In Israel, Israeli police violently dispersed Palestinians demonstrating in Umm al-Fahm against the administrative detention of a Palestinian who has been on hunger strike for 139 days; several Palestinians were assaulted and 4 were arrested. (HA 1/1; AJ, HA, HA, MEMO, MEMO, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WP 1/2; PCHR 1/6)

Egyptian mediators called on Hamas and Israel to show restraint after 2 rockets were launched from Gaza, landing in the sea on 1/1, and Israel conducted air strikes in Gaza, causing damage shortly after. (AP, HA, IN, TOI 1/2)

A delegation of right-wing members of Knesset from Likud, Shas, and the Religious Zionist party visited the Homesh settlement outpost, calling for it to be legalized. (TOI 1/2)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters during a raid in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 4 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. 3 Palestinians were arrested during a late-night raid in Idhna. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Silwan and 1 Palestinian demolished his own shop in Sheikh Jarrah. 1 Palestinian was arrested in Silwan. In Gaza, 2 rockets launched from Gaza City landed in the sea; differing accounts of what happened were conveyed by Hamas sources, including that a weather storm had caused a malfunction and that it was unclear which group had launched the rockets. Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Juhor ad-Dik and al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 6 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. (HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/1; REU 1/2; PCHR 1/6)

The International Committee of the Red Cross expressed grave concern for a Palestinian prisoner who had been hunger striking for 138 days in protest over his administrative detention. (WAFA 1/2)

Palestinian prisoners held by Israel in administrative detention started a boycott of Israeli military courts in protest against the practice. Administrative detainees are held without charges for an indefinite period. The Palestinian prisoners seek to end the practice of administrative detentions with their boycott. (WAFA 1/8; WAFA 1/10; WAFA 1/16)