The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized 1 tractor south of Hebron. 17 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Qalqilya, Hebron, Ramallah, Jenin, Tulkarm, Salfit, and Shu‘fat refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya. (WAFA, WAFA 12/2; PCHR 12/3)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas extended the COVID-19-related state of emergency for another 30 days as cases continued to rise in the West Bank. (WAFA 12/2)

The PA said it would pay its civil servants their full salaries for November plus an additional 50 percent as the PA starts repaying its civil servants who have only received 50 percent of their salaries for months. The announcement came as the PA also said it received more than $1 billion from Israel, which had been withheld by Israel since February. (AJ, REU, WAFA, WAFA 12/2; ALM 12/3)

The Israeli Knesset voted, in a preliminary vote, to dissolve itself, paving the way for a 4th Israeli election in 2 years. Among the votes to dissolve the Knesset was Kahol Lavan party leader Benny Gantz, who is currently serving as deputy prime minister and minister of defense. The bill was proposed by Yesh Atid and supported by Meretz and Labour, and eventually supported by Gantz’s party, which is part of the government it seeks to dissolve. 3 of the 4 parties that constitute the Joint Arab List also voted for the bill. The last party, United Arab List, was not present for the vote. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, TOI 12/2; HA 12/3)

The foreign ministry of the Czech Republic released a statement saying the country will open a branch of its embassy in Jerusalem, which will be manned by a diplomat. The country’s main embassy will remain in Tel Aviv. The president of the Czech Republic is a proponent of moving the country’s embassy to Jerusalem. The PA summoned the Czech Republic’s representative to Palestine to protest the decision, demanding it be reversed. (HA, REU 12/2; WAFA 12/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 1 car wash in Anata. Israeli forces also razed Palestinian-owned land near Hebron. 13 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ya‘bad, Jenin, Nablus, Beitunia, Halhul, and Dura. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during raids in Issawiyya; clashes erupted during the raids. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level farmland east of Dayr al-Balah. Israeli forces also opened fire at agricultural lands east of Qarara; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/10; PCHR 11/12)

The secretary-general of the PLO Saeb Erakat succumbed to the COVID-19 virus after battling the infection since 10/8. Secretary-General Erakat was moved to a hospital in West Jerusalem on 10/18 and reported to be in critical condition on 10/19. PA president Mahmoud Abbas declared a 3-day mourning period. (AJ, AP, HA, JP, LAT, MEE, NBC, NPR, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WP 11/10)

1 Palestinian prisoner, 46 years old and suffering from throat cancer, died at an Israeli hospital. According to the Palestinian Human Rights Centre, medical neglect and a COVID-19 illness contributed to his early death. (PCHR 11/12; PCHR 11/11)

The Israeli Knesset approved the Bahrain normalization deal 62-14. All 14 nay votes were cast by members of the Joint Arab List. (HA 11/10)

Israeli claimed to have shot down a drone belonging to Hezbollah over Israeli airspace. (HA 11/10)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced that he had authorized the sale of 50 F-35 fighter jets, 18 Reaper drones, and air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions to the UAE, citing the normalization deal the country made with Israel. (AP, HA 11/10; DT 11/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers in the Yitzhar settlement erected a sign saying, “[e]ntry for Arabs is dangerous.” Israeli settlers also stole olive harvests in Burin. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Burqa, injuring 5 with rocks and damaging vehicles. Palestinians accessing their land on the other side of the separation barrier from where they live found some 60 olive trees were vandalized and olive crops were stolen. Israeli forces blocked off several roads to villages in the Jenin area, preventing Palestinians from harvesting their olive crops. 11 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Halhul, Kafr Qaddum, Nablus, and Ya‘bad. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested in Shu‘fat refugee camp. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/12; PCHR 10/15)

Israel approved construction of 500 new settlement housing units in the Tzur Hadasah settlement near Bethlehem. (MEMO, WAFA 10/12)

B’Tselem said that a Palestinian man who has been hunger striking to protest his administrative detention for nearly 80 days is “on the verge of death.” (AJ 10/12)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh asked members of the EU parliament, during an online debate, to recognize the state of Palestine and to be more active in a future peace process. (WAFA 10/13)

The Israeli cabinet approved Israel’s normalization deal with the UAE; the Knesset is set to vote on the deal on 10/15. (HA, HA, REU 10/12)

In the West Bank, 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Qalqilya, Bethlehem, and Hebron. In the East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound; the Jordanian ministry of foreign affairs denounced the violation of the Status Quo agreement. 6 Palestinians were arrested as the Israeli settlers toured the compound. In Israel, Palestinian activists and members of the Israeli Knesset demonstrated outside the Israeli magistrate court in support of the PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Gheith who has been detained by Israel since 7/19. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. Outside of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence, more than 1,000 protesters demanded Netanyahu’s resignation; pro-Netanyahu counter-protesters attacked 1 Palestinian bus driver and 2 photojournalists. ( HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/30; PCHR 8/13)

The EU and 15 European countries delivered a letter to the Israeli foreign ministry expressing “grave concern regarding the advancement of settlement construction in Givat Hamatos and potentially in the E1 area.” (TOI 7/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian man, causing fractures and bruises, and set 1 vehicle on fire in Khirbat Tana. Israeli forces handed notices to several Palestinian families in the Qalqilya district notifying of land seizure totaling 160 dunams (39.5 acres). 16 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bayt ‘Anan, Yatta, Hebron, Qabatiya, Jenin, Bayt Furik, Tubas, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya. In Israel, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian citizens of Israel protesting against the planned demolition of an 18th-century Muslim burial ground in Jaffa. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 6/10; PCHR, WAFA 6/11)

The lawyer of a Palestinian man accused of killing 1 Israeli soldier with a rock in Ya‘bad denied Israeli news reports that his client confessed to the killing. (WAFA 6/10)

The German foreign minister Heiko Maas met with the Israeli foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi. After their meeting, Foreign Minister Maas said he expressed Germany’s “serious and honest concern” over Israel’s planned annexation of the West Bank. Mass was set to travel to the West Bank for meetings with PA leadership, but Israel prevented him from traveling there, citing that he would have to quarantine for 2 weeks after going to the West Bank because of COVID-19, despite that Maas’s next destination was to be Jordan. It is worth noting that Israeli settlers, Israeli soldiers, and Palestinian workers do not have to quarantine when traveling between the West Bank and Israel. Israeli MK from the Meretz party, Tamar Zandberg, called Maas’s prevention from going to Ramallah “sabotage” and “ridiculous.” After meeting Foreign Minister Ashkenazi, Mass had a video conference with Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi and PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, after which they released a joint statement, saying “that it is now a matter of priority to prevent” Israel’s annexation plans. The statement further read, “any future negotiations to reach the final status agreement must be based on International Law and the relevant UN resolutions.” (HA 6/9; AJ, German Foreign Ministry, HA, HA 6/10; HA, WAFA 6/11)

According to the Spanish newspaper El País­, the Spanish government vetoed selling 2,000 handcuffs to the Israeli police over fear that they would be used for human rights violations. (JP 6/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted some 40 olive trees in Yatma. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Yatta, and Bethlehem; 1 was arrested at a checkpoint between Nablus and Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israel’s outgoing public security minister Gilad Erdan ordered 1 nonprofit organization helping Palestinian children from single-family homes with schoolwork to close because of alleged ties to the PA. The institution in charge of the organization, Volunteer for Hope, denies that the organization received any funds from the PA. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of al-Bureij and al-Maghazi; no injuries were reported. In the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 person crossing from Lebanon. (HA, WAFA 5/17; PCHR 5/21; HA 5/22)

The new Israeli government was sworn in. The new government is headed by Benjamin Netanyahu and has 36 ministers and 16 deputy ministers from 9 different parties. Benny Gantz will be deputy prime minister and defense minister for 18 months, when the coalition deal stipulates that Gantz will become the prime minister for the 2d half of the government term. During his speech to the Knesset, Netanyahu said of annexing Israeli settlements in the West Bank, “[i]t’s time to apply the Israeli law and write another glorious chapter in the history of Zionism.” (AJ, HA, REU 5/17; NPR 5/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted some 450 Palestinian-owned grapevines in al-Khadir. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested in Issawiyya. (WAFA 5/7; PCHR 5/14)

The Knesset approved amendments to 2 Israeli basic laws, allowing Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz to fulfill their coalition agreement and to rotate the role of prime minister between them. (HA 5/7)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian was injured by Israeli forces using live ammunition when clashes erupted during a late-night raid in Tubas. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jenin and Nablus. During the Jenin raid, a Palestinian was hospitalized after being hit by a rubber-coated bullet. Separately, during a late-night raid in Bayt Furik, Israeli forces confiscated 362 Jordanian Dinars ($510) and 12,070 NIS ($3,500). Israeli forces prevented a farmer from working his land and seized 2 tractors near Bayt Dajan, and seized 3 residential tents in Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 2 Palestinian-owned houses in Silwan. In an effort suppress Fatah members and supporters celebrating the party’s 55-year anniversary in East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested Fatah’s secretary-general in Jerusalem in Wadi al-Juz and 1 Fatah activist in Issawiyya. Israeli forces also removed several Fatah flags from Silwan, al-Tur, and Issawiyya. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/1; PCHR 1/2)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had decided to request immunity from prosecution by the Knesset in the 3 criminal cases against him. The Knesset House Committee has to discuss Prime Minister Netanyahu’s request according to Israeli law, and if the committee approves his request, it will go to a vote in the Knesset. However, the House Committee is not expected to assemble before the March elections as it has not been appointed since the Knesset was 1st dissolved in April 2019. Netanyahu also resigned his positions as minister of Health, Welfare, Agriculture, and Diaspora Affairs as required by the indictment against him in the 3 criminal cases. Israel has no law against removing the prime minister from office while indicted. Netanyahu said he would appoint replacements for the 4 ministries in the coming days. (HA 1/1; HA 1/2)

In Baghdad, Iraqi protesters continued attacking the U.S. embassy for the 2d day in a row; however, the crowd was much smaller and no protester breached the gates to the embassy compound. By the end of the day, protesters had vacated the area on orders from the Popular Mobilisation Forces, an Iraqi government-sanctioned paramilitary umbrella organization. (AJ, AJ, NYT, WP 1/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian shepherds in Aqraba. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Za’atra, causing damage. In Sabastiyya, Palestinian students visiting an archeological site were briefly detained by Israeli forces. Israeli forces also seized a Palestinian-owned vehicle during a house raid near Bethlehem. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Halhul. 2 Palestinians were injured by Israeli gunfire in 2 separate incidents near Jenin and Tulkarm. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/11; PCHR 12/12)

A Palestinian power distribution company said that Israeli- forced power cuts will start on 12/15 with Ramallah cutting power for 3 hours daily and on 12/17 with Bethlehem cutting power 3 hours daily. (WAFA 12/11)

In Israel, the Knesset was dissolved by its members as Israeli citizens are set to vote in a 3d general election in under 1 year on 2 March 2020. Neither Benjamin Netanyahu nor Benny Gantz were able to secure a majority government since the last Israeli elections on 17 September. Netanyahu’s Likud party also agreed to hold primaries on 26 December. Netanyahu’s main rival in the Likud party is Gideon Sa’ar, who previously served as Israel’s minister of education and minister of internal affairs. (HA, HA 12/11; HA, JP 12/12)

U.S. president Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Combatting Anti-Semitism” at a White House Hanukkah party. The order, which folds anti-Semitism under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, is officially aimed at combatting anti-Semitism in the U.S. education system. However, the order explicitly mentions the highly controversial International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of anti-Semitism which conflates criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. Many thus fear that the new executive order is intended to stifle criticism of Israel rather than protecting Jewish people against anti-Semitism. President Trump said during the signing ceremony that, “I will always celebrate and honor the Jewish people, and I will always stand with our treasured friend and ally, the State of Israel.” (NYT 12/10; CNN, HA, JP, NYT, WhiteHouse 12/11; HA; WAFA 12/12)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian was killed and 2 others wounded by Israeli forces using live ammunition during clashes in Bayt Awa. Israeli settlers chased Palestinian farmers off their land in the Jordan Valley. In East Jerusalem, 4 people were arrested while protesting Israeli police activity in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces conducted 3 air strikes, causing damage but no injuries. In Israel, the Palestinian-Israeli member of Knesset Ahmad Tibi was attacked by right-wing Israelis while arriving at an event in central Israel. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/30; HA 12/1; PCHR 12/5)

In the West Bank, 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 7 during late-night raids in and around Hebron and Hizma and 1 at a flying checkpoint near Qalqilya. Israeli settlers razed 6 dunams (1.5 acres) of Palestinian-owned land in Turmus ‘Ayya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen on 2 separate occasions; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also made incursions to level land east of al-Bureij. 1 Palestinian was arrested while applying for a travel permit at the Erez crossing. In Israel, Israeli authorities demolished a Palestinian-owned house under construction in Qalansawe. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/22; PCHR 9/26)

The Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) said it would cut electricity in some areas of the West Bank, arguing that the PA owes the company $484 million. The chairman of the Palestinian Energy Authority said that the debt is less than half of what the IEC claims. PA officials called the decision collective punishment and called on the international community to protest the decision. (HA 9/22)

The Joint Arab List, which won 13 seats in the Knesset at the Israeli elections on 9/17, recommended Blue and White leader Benny Gantz as the next Israeli prime minister, giving Gantz’s coalition 2 more votes than Likud’s 55. Blue and White still needs 4 more votes to be able to form a governing coalition. Joint Arab List leader Ayman Odeh explained in an op-ed in The New York Times that the Joint Arab List is not endorsing Gantz’s policy proposals, but is rather voting to unseat Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (NYT 9/22; HA 9/23)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian was killed by Israeli forces after hitting 2 Israeli settlers near the Gush Etzion settlement; it is unclear if the hit was deliberate. The Palestinian’s wife and child were in the car during the incident. Elsewhere, 2 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces violently dispersing the anti-settlement protests in Kafr Qaddum. 1 Palestinian paramedic was injured by Israeli forces using a rubber-coated bullet during a protest in Abu Dis. In East Jerusalem, Israeli member of the Knesset Ofer Cassif (Hadash) was attacked by Israeli police during a protest in Shaykh Jarrah. Israeli police tried to confiscate a Palestinian flag he was waving and when he and his aide resisted, the police assaulted the 2 and detained Cassif’s aide. In Gaza, 67 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces during the weekly Great March of Return protests, including 34 injured by live ammunition. (HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/16; PCHR 8/22)

After barring Congresswomen Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) from visiting Israel and the West Bank, Israel’s Interior Ministry allowed a request by Congresswoman Tlaib to visit her family in the West Bank under a number of conditions, including limiting her freedom of speech. After receiving the conditional approval, Congresswoman Tlaib said she would not go under the “oppressive conditions” offered by Israel. (AJ, HA, NYT, WAFA, WAFA 8/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces summoned an 8-year-old girl for interrogation for allegedly harassing Israeli settlers in Hebron. By the Gaza fence, 1 Palestinian was killed after he crossed into Israel and opened fire on 3 Israeli soldiers, injuring all 3. Israeli forces subsequently shelled a Hamas outpost east of Khan Yunis. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire and fired flare bombs at Palestinian fishermen. Israeli forces also opened fire on farmers east of Khan Yunis, damaging a tractor. (AJ, HA, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 8/1)

Israel’s transportation minister and member of Knesset Bezalel Smotrich wrote on Facebook that the approval for 715 housing units in Area C for Palestinians yesterday (7/30) was made “to prevent the establishment of an Arab terror state in the heart of Israel, to protect all of our Land of Israel and develop settlement and sovereignty in all its spaces.” The spokesperson for PA president Mahmoud Abbas, Nabil Abu Rudayna, said of the approval for the Palestinian housing units, “[t]he Palestinian people have the right to build on all of their land occupied in 1967 without the need for a permission from anyone. We will not give any legitimacy to the construction of a single stone in the settlements on our land.” (HA, WAFA, WAFA 7/31)

It was reported that Israel struck targets near Quneitra in Syria; no injuries were reported but there were reports of damage to structures. (HA 8/1)

U.S. president Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner and U.S. special representative for international negotiations Jason Greenblatt met with Jordan’s King Abdullah and Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jordan. According to media reporting, King Abdullah stressed that a 2-state solution must include East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital. (HA 7/31; FOX 8/1)

Hundreds of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border fence near Jabaliya refugee camp to set tires on fire and otherwise continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them in the evening, injuring 1. After an incendiary balloon flown from Gaza sparks a small fire and damages a home in southern Israel, the Israeli Air Force conducts air strikes on 2 Hamas sites in central and southern Gaza late at night, causing major damage. In East Jerusalem, MK Yehuda Glick (Likud) leads a group of right-wing Jewish activists on a tour of Haram al-Sharif. Israeli forces arrest 22 Palestinians during raids in Issawiyya. In the West Bank, Israeli forces uproot 50 olive trees from a Palestinian grove near Hebron. IDF troops arrest 5 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya and Nablus; and patrol near Qalqilya, Salfit, and Ramallah. (HA, JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 2/27; HA, MNA, MNA, PCHR, YA 2/28)

The EU announces an €82 million (approximately $93.3 million) to support UNRWA’s core budget in 2019. (WAFA 2/27)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian minor approaching the border fence near Khan Yunis. They also open fire on Palestinian farmers and shepherds near Dayr al-Balah and al-Bureij refugee camp, causing no reported injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assault and lightly injure a number of Palestinian farmers working near Hebron. Israeli forces demolish a number of structures on Palestinian farmland near Bethlehem and seize a tractor from a farm near Tubas. IDF troops arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids near Tulkarm, Ramallah, Nablus, and Jenin; and patrol near Qalqilya, Hebron, and Ramallah. An unexploded piece of Israeli ordnance detonates in the northern Jordan Valley, killing 4 Palestinian-owned cows. In East Jerusalem, Israeli MK Yehuda Glick (Likud) leads a group of right-wing Jewish activists on a tour of Haram al-Sharif. Separately, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during a raid in Hizma. (JP, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/28; MNA, MNA, TOI 1/29; PCHR 1/31)

Palestinian ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour says that the effort to submit the State of Palestine for full membership at the UN is on hold until “obstacles” are no longer in the way, alluding to the U.S. veto at the UN Security Council. Earlier this month, PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki said he intended to file the paperwork for another full membership bid before the end of 1/2019. (AP, TOI 1/29)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces that his government does not intend to renew the mandate of the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH), an international civilian group that has been monitoring “efforts to maintain normal life” in Hebron since it was established as part of the Hebron Protocol in 1997. The TIPH’s mandate, which has been renewed every 6 months since then, is set to expire on 1/31. A PA spokesperson calls the move “unacceptable.” “We call on the countries sponsoring this agreement to take a clear stance from this grave Israeli position and to immediately act to pressure the Israeli government to continue implementation of the agreement as agreed and not to treat Israel as a state above the law.” (HA, JP, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 1/28; MNA, TOI 1/29; FMEP 2/1)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 22 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, Jenin, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Hebron, Bethlehem, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 11 Palestinians during raids in Jabal Mukabir, Issawiyya, al-Tur, Shu‘fat refugee camp, and the Old City. (WAFA 12/30; PCHR 1/3)

After PA Agriculture Minister Sufian Sultan sends a message to Israel’s Agriculture Ministry informing them of his intention to reverse the PA’s 12/2 ban on imports of lamb from Israel, Israel’s Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel lifts his 12/17 ban on imports of Palestinian produce. “In light of the Palestinian agriculture minister’s notification that he is allowing the free entry of Israeli-bred lamb [into Palestinian markets], I cancel my order to block the transfer of produce from the PA to Israel,” Ariel says in a statement. Shortly after Ariel’s statement, the PA Agriculture Ministry cancels the ban on imports of Israeli produce that the PA cabinet approved on 12/27. (TOI, WAFA 12/31)

One day after Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked announce the formation of their new political party, Israeli polls project that their Hayamin Hehadash will win between 6 and 14 seats in the Knesset in the upcoming election on 4/9. Hosen L’Yisrael, the new party led by former IDF Chief of General Staff Benny Gantz, is projected to win between 13 and 15 seats, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud is projected to win between 27 and 31. (HA 12/30)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian driver after he allegedly attempts to ram a group of Israeli settlers at Huwwara checkpoint. They also arrest 5 Palestinians during raids near Bethlehem, Tulkarm, and Nablus; and patrol near Hebron throughout the day. Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian car repair shop near Nablus. Israeli settlers assault and injure a Palestinian shepherd working his land near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, a number of right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif. Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Silwan. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Bayt Lahiya. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/26; PCHR 12/27; PCHR 1/3)

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki says that he plans to initiate an application for the State of Palestine to obtain full membership at the UN during his next visit to New York City in 1/2019. The application, if accepted by the UN Security Council, would see Palestine’s status upgraded from non-member observer state. Later, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon says that Israel and the U.S. are already working together to “stop the [new Palestinian] initiative.” (JP, WAFA 12/26; TOI 12/27)

PA security forces seal off the entrances to the Palestinian Legislative Council building in Ramallah, preventing Hamas officials from holding a planned press conference. A PA official says that although Hamas claims they were attempting to hold a press conference, their true intention was to open a session of the PLC in protest of the 12/22 announcement of a new round of PLC elections. (JP, TOI 12/26)

The High Planning Committee of Israel’s Civil Administration meets for a 2d day to discuss proposals to expand Israel’s West Bank settlements. Between today and yesterday, they have advanced plans for 2,191 new residences in various settlements, 3 new industrial zones, and the retroactive authorization of 2 illegal settlement outposts. Separately, Israel’s Civil Administration announces plans to put together a new proposal for as many as 2,500 new settler residences at the site of the Givat Eitam outpost near Bethlehem, which is within the municipal boundaries of the Efrat settlement, but not contiguous to any of that settlement’s buildings. According to the Israeli NGO Peace Now, an expanded Givat Eitam would “block Bethlehem from the south, and prevent any development in the only direction that has not yet been blocked by settlements.” (HA, PCN, TOI 12/26)

Haaretz reports that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the IDF to declare an end to Operation Northern Shield, but to continue detecting and demolishing the cross-border tunnels allegedly built by Hezbollah. Some senior defense sources say that Netanyahu no longer has a political reason for a formal operation in the north now that he is running for re-election. Meanwhile, the IDF announces that it has uncovered and demolished a 5th cross-border tunnel and the Knesset votes to dissolve itself, officially triggering snap elections. (HA, JP, TOI 12/26; MNA 12/27)

Hundreds of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border fence near Jabaliya refugee camp to continue the Great March of Return and to cheer on a number of Palestinian fishing boats sailing in a symbolic challenge of the Israeli blockade. IDF troops and Israeli naval forces violently disperse the demonstrations, as well as similar protests along the border fence near Khan Yunis and Gaza City; at least 25 Palestinians are injured. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians gathering outside Ofer Prison to demonstrate in support of the Palestinians imprisoned inside; there are no serious injuries reported. IDF troops also arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Jenin and Tulkarm; and patrol near Hebron, Nablus, Jenin, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 10 Palestinians during raids in Jabal Mukabir, al-Tur, and Shu‘fat refugee camp. (MNA, WAFA, WAFA 12/24; PCHR 12/27)

The heads of the parties in Israel’s ruling coalition announce their decision to dissolve the current Knesset and hold early elections on 4/9/19. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that the decision was unanimous and that he intends to bring new parties into the current coalition after the elections. Netanyahu reportedly made his decision to push for early elections on 12/22 after consulting with his lawyers and top aides about a variety of issues, including several stalled legislative initiatives and the percolating corruption case against him. Netanyahu also says that the IDF has asserted control over the northern border and that this is the “perfect” time for early elections. Later, the ruling coalition agrees with the opposition to suspend work on all legislation that they don’t agree on until the Knesset is dissolved. Meanwhile, a senior White House official says that Israel’s early elections are “one of many factors we are considering in evaluating the timing of the release of [the Trump administration’s long awaited Palestinian-Israeli] peace plan.” (HA, HA, MNA 12/24; HA, HA 12/25)

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in al-‘Arub refugee camp near Hebron, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents of the area; there are no serious injuries. They arrest 18 Palestinians during further raids near Ramallah, Hebron, Bethlehem, and Qalqilya; and patrol near Hebron throughout the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli MK Yehuda Glick leads more than 100 right-wing Jewish activists on a tour of Haram al-Sharif. Separately, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in the Old City. (MNA, WAFA 12/23; PCHR 12/27)

PLO secretary general Saeb Erakat says that the decision, announced on 12/22, to dissolve the Palestinian Legislative Council “goes hand in hand with efforts of transition from the period of the Palestinian Authority to into the State of Palestine period.” (MNA 12/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raze an area of Palestinian farmland near Nablus. IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians during late-night raids near Hebron and Ramallah; and patrol near Nablus and Hebron. Israeli settlers assault and injure several Palestinian farmers working their lands near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during late-night raids in Hizma and Issawiyya. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian shepherds working near Dayr al-Balah, causing no injuries. Israeli forces also conduct a limited incursion to level land near al-Bureij refugee camp. (MNA, MNA, WAFA 12/19; PCHR 12/20)

The undersecretary of the PA’s Agriculture Ministry, Abdallah Lahlouh, says that the PA has not been officially informed of any new Israeli policy to ban imports of fruits and vegetables from the West Bank, but that the PA will respond in kind if the recent reports of a ban continue. Although it was not publically announced at the time, Israel’s Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel ordered such a ban on 12/17 after the PA barred Palestinian meat-sellers from buying lamb from Israel on 12/2. (TOI, TOI, WAFA 12/19)

Israel’s Knesset passes a first reading of a bill that would allow the IDF to order the expulsion of the families of Palestinian assailants from their homes, despite objections from Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and senior IDF officers. The Knesset also passes a first reading of the so-called Young Settlement Bill, which would allow for the temporary retroactive authorization of certain settlement outposts in the West Bank and which the Israeli cabinet unanimously approved on 12/16. (HA 12/19; HA 12/20)

At a UN Security Council meeting on alleged violations of Resolution 1701, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon presents new information that he claims shows the extent of Hezbollah’s tunneling operations along the Israel-Lebanon border. He also says that Israel “gave UNIFIL precise information about the location of [1 of the tunnels],” but that compromised Lebanese army officers leaked the information to Hezbollah, allowing the group to conceal certain offensive operations. “Lebanese army officials are working for Hezbollah, while UNIFIL is not working to fulfill its mandate in the region in the necessary manner,” Danon alleges. While several UNSC members condemn Hezbollah’s tunneling activities, the UNSC takes no action at today’s meeting. (HA, HA, TOI, YA 12/19; TOI 12/20)

UN World Food Programme (WFP) country director Stephen Kearney announces that funding shortfalls have forced “drastic” cuts to food aid initiatives planned in the West Bank and Gaza in 2019. Starting on 1/1/19, the WFP plans to suspend food assistance to 27,000 people in the West Bank and reduce by 20% the food aid delivered to 166,000 additional recipients across the occupied Palestinian territories. “The major donor that we have had in the past years has been the U.S.,” Kearney says. “They have cut funding, not just to UNRWA, who work with the refugees in Gaza, but also to the rest of the humanitarian community, including WFP.” A WFP spokesperson says that an additional $57 million would be needed to maintain the current level of food aid in 2019. (AFP, AJ, REU, TOI 12/19; MEE 12/20)

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announces that it has filed a legal challenge to an anti-BDS law in Texas on behalf of 4 Texans who either lost their jobs or lost the opportunity to be hired after they refused to renounce their support for boycotts against Israel or its settlements in the West Bank. “Whatever you may think about boycotts of Israel, the bottom line is that political boycotts are a legitimate form of nonviolent protest,” says an ACLU lawyer. “The state cannot use the contracting process as an ideological litmus test or to tell people what kind of causes they may or may not support.” Texas’s anti-BDS law, which requires all state contractors to certify that they do not support or participate in any boycotts of Israel or its West Bank settlements, has been on the books since 5/2/17. (HA, TOI 12/19)

Along Gaza’s northern border, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian fisherman working from the shore near Bayt Lahiya. The incident comes hours after the Israeli authorities informed their Palestinian counterparts in Gaza that fishermen were allowed to return to the sea today. As ordered by Israeli defense minister Lieberman on 10/31, the fishing zone is limited to 6 nautical miles from Gaza’s northern shore and 9 nautical miles from its southern shore. (EI, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 11/14; PCHR 11/15)

Also along Gaza’s border, IDF troops shoot, injure, and arrest a Palestinian approaching the border fence near Jabaliya refugee camp The IDF claims he was throwing grenades at Israeli posts. Dozens of right-wing Israeli activists stand in the road leading to the Kerem Shalom border crossing for several hours, blocking the entry of goods and fuel into Gaza in protest of the recent rocket fire. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian outside a police station in Jabal Mukabir after he allegedly stabs and lightly injures 4 Israeli police officers (the Palestinian will succumb to his injuries on 11/20). The Israeli police deploy in force in the neighborhood after the incident, conducting arrest raids and blocking off several roads. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers torch a Palestinian-owned vehicle and spray racist graffiti on nearby walls in Urif village near Nablus. IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in Tubas and near Hebron; shoot and injure a Palestinian during clashes sparked by further raids near Nablus; and patrol near Hebron and Salfit. (HA, HA, MNA, TOI, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/14; HA, MNA, PCHR 11/15; PCHR 11/22)

In response to the Israeli security cabinet’s 11/13 decision to agree to a cease-fire with the armed Palestinian groups in Gaza, Israeli defense minister Avigdor Lieberman announces his resignation and calls for snap elections. Lieberman takes specific issue with both the cease-fire and the decision to allow Qatari money into Gaza to pay the civil servants of the Hamas-run government. “There is no other definition, no other significance, but a capitulation to terror,” he says. “What we are doing now as a country is buying short-term quiet at the cost of our long-term security.” Without Lieberman’s Yisrael Beytenu in the ruling coalition, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc still holds a majority of the seats in the Knesset (61–59). (BBC, HA, HA, IHY, TOI, TOI, TOI, YA 11/14; HA 11/15)

Israel Television News Company publishes a poll showing that 74% of the Israeli public is dissatisfied with Israeli prime minister Netanyahu’s handling of the recent conflict with Hamas. The poll was reportedly taken in the hours after Defense Minister Lieberman resigned earlier today. The results also show that Netanyahu’s Likud party would only win 29 seats in the Knesset if elections were held today, marking the weakest Likud has polled since 3/2018. Meanwhile, dozens of right-wing Israelis gather in Sderot for a 2d day in a row to protest Netanyahu’s handling of the recent escalation of violence. (HA, JP, TOI 11/14)

Palestinian citizens of Israel and Palestinians across Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank observe a general strike in protest of the so-called Nation-State Law, which codified Israel’s status as the nation-state of the Jewish people when it passed in the Knesset on 7/19/18. Israeli forces violently disperse demonstrations against the law on the outskirts of Ramallah, and in Nablus, Qalandia refugee camp, and Qalqilya, as well as 2 neighborhoods in East Jerusalem, (al-‘Izzariya and Abu Dis); 14 Palestinians are injured. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops patrol in Hebron, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian minors; there are no reported injuries. They also arrest 3 Palestinians during late-night raids near Hebron and Bethlehem. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians gathering near al-Bureij refugee camp, Khan Yunis, and Jabaliya refugee camp throughout the day to protest the Israeli blockade, protest the Nation-State Law, and continue the Great March of Return; at least 44 Palestinians are injured. In the evening, several Palestinian fishing boats sail in a symbolic challenge to Israel’s blockade. They turn back to shore after Israeli naval forces fire warning shots in their direction, causing no damage or injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli firefighters put out 4 fires in southern Israeli border communities reportedly sparked by incendiary kites or balloons flown from Gaza. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers assault a number of Palestinians and damage a number of their vehicles in the Old City. Later, Israeli forces violently disperse of Palestinian minors congregating near the Damascus Gate to the Old City; 1 Palestinian is injured and 2 are arrested. They also arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in Abu Dis and Hizma, sparking minor clashes in the latter. (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 10/1; MNA, MNA, MNA, YA 10/2; PCHR 10/4)

Israeli MK Yehuda Glick tours Haram al-Sharif with an escort of heavily armed Israeli security forces. Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct raids in Abu Dis, sparking clashes with dozens of Palestinian students at al-Quds University; there are no reported injuries. They also demolish a Palestinian home in Silwan. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish 2 Palestinian homes in Anata refugee camp and a 3d in Bayt Hanina. IDF troops shoot and injure 3 Palestinian journalists amid clashes in Ras Karkar village near Ramallah; arrest 5 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Rafah and later near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA 9/5; PCHR 9/13)

A senior officer in Hamas’s military wing, Abdel Rahim Abbas, dies in what is reported to be an accidental explosion in Gaza. (AFP, TOI 9/6)

Paraguay’s Foreign Minister Luis Alberto Castiglioni announces that Paraguay will be returning its embassy in Israel to Tel Aviv, reversing former president Horacio Cartes’ decision to move it to Jerusalem in 5/2018. “Paraguay wants to contribute to an intensification of regional diplomatic efforts to achieve a broad, fair and lasting peace in the Middle East,” he says. In response, the Israeli government announces the closure of the Israeli embassy in Paraguay and a recall of the Israeli ambassador. (WAFA 9/5; HA, MNA, REU, YA 9/6)

The Israeli authorities announce the indefinite closure of the Erez border crossing, following the damage done to the crossing amid protests along the border fence on 9/4. An official statement explains that the closure is to allow for maintenance work. Exceptional humanitarian cases are still allowed to cross. (HA, HA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 9/5)

Denying a petition from the residents, Israel’s High Court of Justice gives its final authorization for the Israeli government’s plan to evacuate and demolish Khan al-Ahmar, a Bedouin village near Jerusalem. “We have exhausted all legal means at this point and there is nothing more we can do other than be present in the area to protect it and prevent its demolition,” says a PA official who has been working on the case. (EI, HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 9/5)

The Jerusalem Local Planning and Building Committee advances a plan to build 150 housing units in Bayt Hanina, East Jerusalem. The current plan earmarks 75 of the units for Palestinians, but it is unclear if that earmark will remain as the plan proceeds through the authorization process. (HA 9/6; FMEP 9/7)

Along Gaza’s border fence, IDF troops open fire on a group of Palestinians congregating near the Great March of Return tent camps outside Gaza City; 2 Palestinians are injured. Later, an incendiary balloon reportedly flown from Gaza lands on a street in Beersheba, causing no damage. Israeli firefighters put out 6 small fires allegedly sparked by similar devices closer to the border fence throughout the day. In two separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 12 Palestinians and issue 4 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya, Jenin, Ramallah, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Hebron and Nablus. Israeli settlers slash the tires of 8 Palestinian cars and leave racist graffiti on nearby walls in al-Mughayyir village near Ramallah. Separately, Israeli settlers assault and injure a Palestinian in central Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians during raids in Silwan and Issawiyya. (MNA, WAFA, YA 7/30; MNA 7/31; PCHR 8/2)

Thousands of Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel attend a massive Arabic language lesson in the streets of Tel Aviv in protest of the new Nation-State Law, which the Knesset passed on 7/19 and which downgraded Arabic from an official language to one with “special status." (HA, JP 7/30)

After reports of incendiary kites and balloons being flown from Gaza into southern Israel in the morning, an Israeli drone bombs an alleged staging area for such attacks near Rafah in the afternoon, killing 1 Hamas fighter and injuring 3 other Palestinians. Unidentified Palestinians in Gaza then launch 2 mortar shells across the border fence into Israel; they land in an open area, causing no damage. Israeli tanks then shell a Hamas post in southern Gaza, causing moderate damage. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya and Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 4 Palestinian homes in Bayt Hanina. Four Palestinian families demolish their own homes in Bayt Hanina to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. In the West Bank, IDF troops issue 1 Palestinian arrest summons during a late-night raid near Hebron and patrol near Hebron. (MNA, WAFA, YA 7/19; PCHR 7/26)

Israel’s Knesset passes the Nation-State Bill into law, with 62 MKs in favor and 55 opposed, codifying Israel’s status as the nation-state of the Jewish people and asserting “the realization of the right to national self-determination in Israel is unique to the Jewish people.” (EI, HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 7/19)

In East Jerusalem, Israel’s Minister of Agriculture, Uri Ariel, (Jewish Home) and MK Sharren Haskel (Likud) tour Haram al-Sharif. Their visit comes days after Israeli PM Netanyahu lifted (7/3) his ban on Israeli MKs and ministers touring the sanctuary. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 14 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Jenin, and Ramallah; and patrol near Hebron. In Israel, Israeli forces demolish 4 homes belonging to Palestinian citizens in Umm al-Fahm, citing “unauthorized construction.” In Gaza, unidentified Gazans fly incendiary kites and balloons across the border fence into Israel, sparking at least 33 fires in Israeli forests and farmland. IDF troops open fire on Palestinian minors allegedly preparing further kite and balloon attacks, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 7/8; MNA 7/10; PCHR 7/12)

A Palestinian minor succumbs to injuries sustained in a confrontation with IDF troops near Hebron in 2009. The Palestinian, Yacoub Fayiq Nassar, was partially paralyzed when Israeli soldiers shot him in the back in al-Fawar refugee camp in 2009. He suffered from various other ailments related to the shooting over the years. (MNA 7/8)

Along Gaza’s border fence, IDF troops open fire on a small group of Palestinian minors approaching the border fence near Rafah; 2 Palestinians are killed and at least 2 others are injured (1 of the injured minors is arrested). The IDF claims that the young men were armed and attempting to cross into Israel to set a sniper post on fire. Earlier in the day, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion into Gaza to level land along the border fence near Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, Israeli forces confiscate a tent in Battir village near Bethlehem. In the second such incident in as many days, IDF troops assault and arrest a Palestinian in Dahaysha refugee camp, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents of the camp; 1 Palestinian is injured. They also arrest 5 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Tulkarm; and patrol near Hebron and Nablus. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 7/2; PCHR 7/5)

Israel’s Knesset passes into law a new bill deducting from the tax revenues Israel collects on behalf of the PA an amount equal to that which the PA pays in stipends to Palestinians imprisoned or injured in connection with serious crimes committed against Israelis and the families of Palestinians killed while committing such crimes. Specifically, the Israeli DM will submit an annual report documenting the PA’s stipends over the previous calendar year. The sum total will be divided by 12 and deducted from the monthly transfers over the subsequent year. In contrast to previous drafts of the bill, Israel’s security cabinet is not permitted to waive the deductions. (ALM, JP 7/2; HA, JP, MNA, NYT, TOI, WAFA, YA 7/3)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmland near Bayt Hanun, causing no damage. They also violently disperse a group of Palestinian minors congregating along the border fence near al-Bureij refugee camp, causing no serious injuries. In 3 separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Rafah and Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 15 Palestinians during late-night raids near Hebron and Jenin. (PCHR 5/31; PCHR 6/7)

A Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained when IDF troops opened fire on protesters along Gaza’s border fence on 5/18, bringing the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 114. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 5/30; PCHR 5/31)

Amid conflicting reports about Israeli acquiescence to the Egypt-brokered cease-fire on 5/29, an Israeli official says that “Israel passed on messages saying if attacks resume, the strikes against Hamas and its affiliates will be even stronger.” Meanwhile, Hamas issues a statement officially recognizing the cease-fire. Later, Israel’s security cabinet convenes; they support PM Netanyahu and DM Avigdor Lieberman’s choice not to further escalate the situation, despite calls from some right-wing Members of Knesset (MKs) for Israel to reoccupy Gaza. (HA, JP, NYT, TOI, YA 5/30)

The Higher Planning Committee of Israel’s Civil Administration announces plans to construct 1,958 new homes in Israeli settlements. The committee also retroactively authorizes 2 illegal settlement outposts. (HA, JP, PCN, WAFA 5/30)

Hundreds of Palestinians gather in various locations along Gaza’s border to participate in the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them near Gaza City and al-Bureij refugee camp; 8 Palestinians are injured. Later, IDF troops arrest an unarmed Palestinian who crossed into Israel and open fire on Palestinian agricultural lands near al-Maghazi refugee camp, causing no damage. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian minors throwing stones in Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya, arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah and Hebron, and patrol near Tulkarm and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya. In Israel, approximately 1,500 Palestinian citizens of Israel, including a number of Knesset members, gather in Sakhnin to protest in solidarity with the Palestinians killed in Gaza over the past week. (TOI, WAFA 4/7; TOI 4/8; PCHR 4/12)

Two Palestinians, including 1 photojournalist, succumb to injuries sustained when the IDF violently dispersed peaceful protesters along Gaza’s border on 4/6, bringing the death toll of the IDF’s response to the Great March of Return to 28. The IDF later issues a statement denying that Israeli soldiers targeted journalists, and pledging to investigate any such incidents. (HA, TOI, WAFA 4/7)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians armed with a knife and fence cutters after they cross into Israel. They also violently disperse Palestinians throwing stones and protesting along the border fence near al-Bureij refugee camp, Khan Yunis, Gaza City, and Jabaliya refugee camp; 7 Palestinians are injured. Later, Israeli artillery shells an open area along the border near Bayt Hanun, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians during latenight raids in Hebron and patrol near Hebron. (HA, WAFA 3/29; PCHR 4/5)

The Israeli authorities close border crossings in and out of Gaza and the West Bank, with exceptions for humanitarian cases. The closure, put into effect for the Jewish holiday of Passover, is set to continue through 4/7. (MNA, HA, WAFA 3/29)

Israeli PM Netanyahu requests that all members of Knesset (MKs) refrain from visiting Haram al-Sharif in the next 3 mos., indicating that such visits could exacerbate already heightened tensions across the oPt. (HA 3/30)