The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole olive harvest in Qaryut and flooded 5 dunams (1.2 acres) of Palestinian farmland planted with olive trees with sewage waste in al-Jaba‘. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Israeli forces at Yitzhar settlement. Israeli forces delivered notices that 2,522 dunams (623 acres) of land would be seized, including 2,000 in al-Jaba‘, 372 south of Hebron, and 150 near Bayt Liqya. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around al-Ram, Yatta, Nablus, Jenin, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces summoned 2 members of the parents’ committee that organized a school strike in Issawiyya on 11/2 in protest over Israeli forces breaking into the school and arresting 1 student; 1 of the 2 members was arrested and clashes between Israeli forces and local Palestinians broke out, resulting in the arrest of 3 Palestinian minors. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmlands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen off the shore of Jabalia; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/4; HA, HA 11/5; PCHR 11/7)

The Israeli housing cabinet approved the controversial cable car project which would connect Western Jerusalem with East Jerusalem’s Old City. The project is currently under review by Israel’s attorney general and it would need a final procedural approval by the Israeli government. The project, if approved, would likely be challenged in the Israeli high court of justice. (HA 11/4; CNN 11/5 BBC 11/6)

After Jordan recalled its ambassador to Israel on 10/29 in protest of Israel holding 2 Jordanian citizens in administrative detention, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the 2 would be released to Jordan. (HA 11/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers chop down 25 Palestinian-owned olive trees in Nahalin. Israeli forces violently dispersed an anti-settlement protest in al-Humma, causing 5 tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest in support of hunger-striking prisoners in Israeli jails, causing tear-gas related injuries and arresting 2 of the protesters. In Gaza, 1 Palestinian was injured by Israeli forces while driving a sanitation vehicle east of Khan Yunis. Separately, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmers; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/26; PCHR 10/31)

A Palestinian working for Amnesty International was briefly detained at the Allenby Bridge and told he was not allowed to leave the West Bank. The Secretary-General of Amnesty International, Kumi Naidoo, called it “a sinister move imposed as punishment for work defending human rights of Palestinians.” (Amnesty 10/31; HA 11/1; AJ 11/2)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers chased Palestinian farmers off their land near Ramallah. Separately, Israeli settlers stole olive harvests in Dayr Sharaf and tools for harvesting olives in Yasuf. Israeli settlers also vandalized more than 20 cars and wrote racist graffiti on walls in al-Bireh. Israeli forces injured a Palestinian man using live ammunition near Jenin; the man was subsequently taken to a hospital. Israeli forces demolished the family home of an alleged attacker in Qalandia, who was killed by Israeli forces in 2011. In Gaza, Israel returned the corpse of a Palestinian killed by the Gaza fence on 11/3/2018 to his family. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/23; PCHR 10/24)

A Palestinian man who was shot by Israeli forces after allegedly ramming a police car on 10/17 was released from detention at a hospital in Jerusalem without charges. (HA 10/31)

In Lebanon, an Israeli drone crashed while flying over Lebanese air space; it was unclear if it was shot down or crashed without interference. (HA 10/23)

At the UN General Assembly, the UN independent expert on human rights Michael Lynk called for an international ban on all products made in Israeli settlements. (HA 10/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Israeli forces with stones near the Yitzhar settlement. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 who attempted to enter Israel for work; 1 of the 3 was shot by live ammunition. Israeli forces forced Palestinian farmers picking olives to leave their fields in Qaryut. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Silwan. Hundreds of Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian worshipers holding a sit-in in protest demonstrating against the settler incursion. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles from Bayt Lahiya. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/20; PCHR 10/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers sprayed racist graffiti on several structures, including a mosque, and punctured the tires of 3 vehicles in Kafr Malik near Ramallah. Israeli settlers also uprooted 30 olive trees near Bani Na‘im. Israeli forces arrested 16 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, and Ramallah. Israeli authorities also approved cutting down around 2,000 olive trees south of Bethlehem. In Gaza, 5 Palestinians were hospitalized after suffering from tear gas inhalation east of Rafah. In the Israeli city of Afula, local Jewish Israelis, including the city’s mayor, protested the sale of a home to a Palestinian-Israeli family. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/16; HA, WAFA, WAFA 6/17)

The Israeli Jerusalem municipality approved naming streets in the Silwan neighborhood in East Jerusalem after Jewish rabbis. (HA 6/17)

The chairman of Qatar’s National Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza Mohammed al-Emadi met Israeli and Palestinian officials in Israel and Gaza to discuss the implementation of the cease-fire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas in May. The Qatari delegation also delivered $20 million for vulnerable Palestinians in Gaza and for humanitarian projects. Some 108,000 families will receive $400 in 4 $100 payments. (HA 6/16; HA 6/17)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled a sign for a planned community in the Golan Heights called Trump Heights, named after U.S. president Donald Trump. Netanyahu decided to dedicate a settlement construction project to President Trump after Trump unilaterally recognized Israel’s annexation of the Syrian Golan Heights. (HA 6/16)

U.S. special representative for international negotiations Jason Greenblatt told The Jerusalem Post that the U.S. administration may delay the unveiling of the U.S. peace plan until November 2019 because of the upcoming Israeli elections in September. In the interview, Greenblatt also said that he supports U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman’s statement from 6/8 that Israel has a right to annex parts of the West Bank. (AJ, HA 6/16)

In the West Bank, 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Tulkarm, Hebron, and Jericho. During a raid in Hebron, surveillance camera recordings were confiscated and solar panels were damaged. East of Ramallah, Israeli forces uprooted 120 olive trees. In ‘Urif, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian high school by throwing stones at the building, causing moderate damage. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested; 2 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and 1 near the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli shelling continued for the 3d day in a row, killing 19 Palestinians and wounding 29. Several buildings in Gaza were completely destroyed and others were damaged. 3 Israelis were killed by rockets from Gaza and 4 people were wounded in Israel, including a Thai national. This makes the comprehensive death toll from the Israeli attack on Gaza on 4/5-5/5 30 Palestinians total. By the end of 5/5 (U.S. eastern time), it was reported that a cease-fire agreement had been reached. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/5; MNA, WAFA, WAFA 5/6; PCHR 5/9)

Israel indicated that it had resumed its policy of executions, what Israeli authorities refer to as target killings. Israel killed a Palestinian man in Gaza alleged to facilitating transfers of funds from Iran to Hamas during its attack on Gaza. Chief of the Israeli forces southern command Hertzi Halevy said that the Israeli executions of Palestinians alleged to be involved in terror activity “is expected to continue.” (HA 5/5)

U.S. president Donald Trump tweeted, “Once again, Israel faces a barrage of deadly rocket attacks by terrorist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad. We support Israel 100% in its defense of its citizens . . . To the Gazan people—these terrorist acts against Israel will bring you nothing but more misery. END the violence and work towards peace—it can happen!” Member of the PLO executive committee Hanan Ashrawi called Israel’s attack on Gaza “criminal and morally reprehensible.” (Twitter, WAFA 5/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces dismantled and confiscated a residential tent housing 10 Palestinians in Susiya near Hebron for the 3d time since 4/16. Israeli forces also demolished the home of a Palestinian family near Yatta south of Hebron. Israeli settlers under protection of Israeli forces chopped down at least 150 olive trees in Burqa east of Jerusalem. 17 Palestinians were arrested by Israeli forces during late-night raids in and around Hizma, Nablus, Jenin, Tubas, Ramallah, and Hebron. In Gaza, Israeli forces conducted limited incursions to perform land leveling east of Gaza City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire of Palestinian fishermen, injuring 1 and detaining 2 others off the shore of al-Sudaniyya. Late at night, Israeli forces fired 5 missiles at targets in Bayt Lahiya, causing damage but no injuries were reported. Israeli authorities claimed that the strikes were in response to incendiary balloons sent from Gaza and landing on Israeli fields, igniting a fire. After the Israeli missiles fired at Bayt Lahiya, Islamic Jihad in Palestine, fired 2 missiles at Israel; no injuries or damage were reported. (MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA 5/1; AJ, HA, MNA, MNA, PNN, WAFA, WAFA 5/2)

The PA rejected a proposal put forward by the EU on 4/30 to accept the Israeli offer of reduced PA tax revenue. Israel is withholding parts of the PA tax revenue, the part that Israel believes the PA spends on Palestinian prisoners and their families. The PA have on several occasions rejected any Israeli transfer that is not the full tax revenue. (HA, 5/1)

Haaretz reported that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally ordered a ban on 181 Palestinian applications from the West Bank wanting to attend a joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day ceremony in Tel Aviv. The event is organized by Combatants for Peace, a group of Israelis and Palestinians working for reconciliation. (HA 5/1)

In the West Bank, several Palestinians were arrested by Israeli forces near Khillet al-Dabe village while attempting to plant olive trees. On a road near Ramallah, around 15 Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles passing by the settlers. Damage was reported, but no injuries. Settlers also razed Palestinian farmland in Burin in the West Bank. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police detained an employee of the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf for opening the doors to Bab al-Rahma. A similar incident unfolded on 4/1. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land near Khan Yunis. Israeli naval forces attacked Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles from the coast of Gaza City by firing live ammunition at them and spraying with the non-lethal weapon Skunk. A Palestinian teen shot by Israeli forces by the Gaza fence on 4/3 succumbed to his injuries at an Israeli hospital. In Israel, an incendiary balloon was found in a cemetery in the Israeli city Kiryat Gat. Elsewhere in Israel, the Bedouin village of al-Araqib was demolished for the 142d time. Israeli prison forces raided section 1 of the Negev prison and transferred prisoners to other sections of the prison. (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/4)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with Israeli radio that “All the options are still on the table, including entering Gaza and occupying it, out of consideration of what is best for Israel.” He also said in the interview that he had explored the option of having another country take charge of Gaza, but no one had volunteered. (JP 4/4; MNA 4/5)

The Japanese embassy in Lebanon announced that Japan would contribute an additional $6 million for UNRWA projects in Lebanon. (MNA, WAFA 4/5)

Unidentified persons launch a rocket from Gaza into central Israel. It strikes an Israeli home north of Tel Aviv, injuring 7 Jewish Israelis and causing damage. The Israeli Air Force then retaliates with dozens of air strikes on Hamas sites all across Gaza, causing extensive damage and injuring at least 3 Palestinians. Palestinians in Gaza respond, firing at least 50 projectiles into southern Israel and setting of hours of cross-border attacks. An hour after an Egyptian- and UN-backed cease-fire is supposed to go into effect, 30 projectiles are fired into Israel from Gaza. Most are intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. The rest land in open areas, causing no damage or injuries. The Israeli Air Force then continues its air strikes across Gaza, bombing at least 15 targets in and around Jabaliya refugee camp and causing extensive damage. (EI, HA, HA, HA, JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, TOI, WAFA, YA, YA 3/25; HA, MNA, YA 3/26; PCHR 3/28)

After a rocket from Gaza strikes an Israeli home near Tel Aviv (see above), Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces that he is cutting his trip to the U.S. short. He still meets with President Donald Trump at the White House, but he skips his planned address at the annual AIPAC conference. At their meeting, Trump signs a formal declaration conveying U.S. recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, codifying his 3/21 pledge. Meanwhile, the Israeli authorities decide to indefinitely shut down the Erez and Kerem Shalom border crossings, blocking all traffic of persons and good in and out of Gaza. (EI, HA, HA, HA, JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, TOI, WAFA, YA, YA 3/25; HA, MNA, YA 3/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers spray-paint racist anti-Palestinian graffiti on Palestinian vehicles and buildings near Jerusalem. They also puncture the tires of 28 Palestinian vehicles. Separately, settlers chop down a number of olive and almond trees in a Palestinian grove near Hebron. Israeli forces deliver stop-work orders to 2 Palestinian homes under construction near Hebron and a water well under construction near Tubas. IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron and Ramallah; and patrol near Salfit and Qalqilya. An unexploded piece of Israeli ordnance detonates near Bethlehem, injuring 3 Palestinian minors. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 9 Palestinians during late-night raids in al-Tur, Jabal Mukabir, Hizma, and Silwan. (MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/25; PCHR 3/28)

Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border fence to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them near Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Rafah, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Jabaliya refugee camp; 1 Palestinian minor is killed and at least 23 are injured. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 205. Also along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land along the border fence near al-Bureij refugee camp. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians gathering in central Hebron to mark the 25th anniversary of the 2/25/94 massacre at al-Ibrahimi Mosque; 1 Palestinian is injured. The also disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in al-Mughayyir near Ramallah (3 Palestinians are injured); arrest 4 Palestinians during late-night raids near Qalqilya, Tulkarm, Jenin, and Jericho; and patrol near Jenin, Nablus, and Hebron. Israeli settlers uproot 200 olive tree seedlings from a Palestinian grove near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, hundreds of Palestinians gather at Haram al-Sharif to protest the recent Israeli incursions at the sanctuary. Ahead of the mid-day prayer, Muslim leaders lead the protesters into the al-Rahma Gate area of the sanctuary for the first time since 2003. Separately, Israeli forces arrest 38 Palestinians in raids across the city. (AP, HA, HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/22; MNA 2/23; PCHR 2/28)

Along Gaza’s border, an Israeli drone bombs a Palestinian motorcycle near Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF does not comment on the strike. In the evening, hundreds of Palestinians gather along the border fence near Rafah to set tires on fire, throw stones, and otherwise continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse the demonstrations, injuring 5 protesters. In 2 separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers puncture the tires of 10 Palestinian vehicles and leave racist graffiti on nearby walls in Ras Karkar near Ramallah. Settlers also assault 2 Palestinian shepherds near Hebron and throw stones at a Palestinian school in nearby Urif village, causing no damage or injuries. Israeli forces fire tear gas at Palestinian students at a school in central Hebron; no serious injuries are reported. It’s unclear why the IDF attacked the school. They also deliver stop-work orders to a Palestinian home under construction in western Hebron; confiscate heavy equipment from a construction site in southern Hebron; and uproot approximately 300 olive tree seedlings from a Palestinian grove north of the city. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians during late-night raids near Jenin, Hebron, and Salfit; and patrol in and around Tulkarm, Hebron, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, dozens of Palestinians gather outside Haram al-Sharif to protest the recent Israeli incursions at the sanctuary; 4 are arrested when Israeli forces disperse the protests. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 60 Palestinians across the city ahead of planned protests at Haram al-Sharif on 2/22. (MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/21; HA, JP, MNA, MNA 2/22; PCHR 2/28)

PA minister of finance Shukri Bishara says that the PA intends to pay all its employees on time in the coming months, but that some of the higher salaries might be reduced due to the 2/17 Israeli decision to make deductions from the monthly transfers of tax revenues to the PA. “We are coming on difficult days in the coming weeks, and we will handle the issue of salaries as wisely and fairly as possible,” he says. Meanwhile, senior Fatah official Mahmoud al-Aloul says that a committee has been formed to put together a list of Israeli products to ban from Palestinian markets in response to the Israeli deductions in tax revenue transfers. (TOI, TOI, WAFA 2/21)

Hosen L’Yisrael Party chair Benny Gantz and Yesh Atid Party chair Yair Lapid announce that they have agreed to run on a joint ticket ahead of the Israeli election on 4/9. Under their agreement, Gantz would serve as prime minister for two and a half years, then Lapid would take over the top job. Gantz is widely seen as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s top challenger in the election, and this agreement is expected to strengthen his chances of becoming the next prime minister. (HA, JP, JP, YA 2/21)

One Palestinian is shot and killed and at least 9 others are injured during clashes with Israeli settlers and IDF troops in al-Mughayyir village near Ramallah (1 settler is lightly injured as well). The clashes reportedly stemmed from a dispute at a Palestinian olive grove outside the village. The nature of the dispute is unclear. Later in the day, there are conflicting reports about the perpetrator of the killing. All agree that the settlers used live ammunition. Some witnesses say that the IDF did too, despite the IDF’s claim to have only used “riot dispersal” methods. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah and Bethlehem; and patrol near Jenin and Nablus. An Israeli settler attacks 2 Palestinians with an axe near Salfit, causing them both light injuries. Settlers chase Palestinian children from an olive grove near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shoot and kill a West Bank Palestinian during a high-speed chase outside the Old City. The Israeli police later say that the man was suspected of driving a stolen vehicle. Separately, a Palestinian demolishes 2 rooms of his home in Silwan to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops fire tear gas at a group of Palestinian minors setting tires on fire and rolling them toward the border fence near al-Bureij refugee camp; 1 Palestinian is injured. Separately, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian attempting to cross the border fence armed with a knife and wire cutters. In 3 separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Rafah and Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, HA, MNA, MNA, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/26; AFP, EI, HA, MNA, MNA 1/27; PCHR 1/31)

After several delays over the past 2 weeks, vehicles bearing $9.4 million in Qatari funds enter Gaza. Half the money is distributed to families in urgent need today. The other half is set to be distributed on 1/27. (AFP, HA, TOI, YA 1/26)

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah says that Hezbollah, Iran, and the Syrian government are considering ending their policy of not retaliating against Israel for its sorties in Syrian territory. “At any moment the Syrian leadership and the axis of resistance can take a decision to deal with the Israeli aggression in a different manner,” he says. Nasrallah also says that despite the Israeli campaign to uncover and destroy Hezbollah’s tunnels leading into northern Israel, the group is still prepared for an invasion. “The uncovering of the tunnels does not affect by 10 percent our plans to take over the Galilee,” he adds. “If we decide to do it—even if they’ve destroyed the tunnels—can’t we rebuild them?” (TOI, TOI 1/26)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian at the Huwwara checkpoint near Nablus after he allegedly attempts to stab 1 of them. Elsewhere in the West Bank, hundreds of right-wing Jewish activists visit Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus overnight, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and Palestinians in the area; 1 Palestinian and 2 IDF soldiers are injured. Separately, IDF troops arrest 4 Palestinians and issue 3 arrest summons during late-night raids near Nablus, Hebron, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Hebron and Bethlehem. Israeli forces uproot about 35 olive trees and 38 almond trees and raze 15 dunams (approximately 3.7 acres) of Palestinian land outside Battir village near Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian demolishes his own car repair shop in Issawiyya to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. Israeli forces raid and then disperse an event marking the 50th anniversary of the al-Makassad Hospital in al-Tur, enforcing the Israeli ban on PA-sponsored events in the city. Israeli forces also arrest 2 Palestinians during a patrol in Silwan. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct limited incursions to level land near Bayt Hanun and Bayt Lahiya. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (JP, JP, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 1/21; HA, MNA, MNA, REU, WAFA 1/22; EI 1/23; PCHR 1/24)

Violent protests break out among the Palestinian populations of 3 Israeli prisons—Ofer, Nafha, and Gilboa—leading to the injury of at least 17 Palestinian prisoners and 3 Israeli guards, according to the Israeli Prison Service (IPS). Prisoner support groups report that as many as 140 Palestinians are at least lightly injured. Inmates affiliated with Islamic Jihad in Palestine reportedly led the action after IPS officers discovered contraband during raids in their cells. (HA 1/21; HA 1/28)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 21 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Qalqilya, and Tulkarm; and patrol near Ramallah, Hebron, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. Israeli settlers cut down 2 olive trees in a Palestinian grove near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians during a raid in Silwan. Along Gaza’s coast, IDF troops violently disperse a few hundred Palestinians gathering near al-Bureij refugee camp to continue the Great March of Return for a 3d day in a row; 1 Palestinian minor is injured. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries (1 fisherman is arrested). In Israel, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home for the 2d time in Lod. (MNA, WAFA 1/20; MNA, MNA 1/21; PCHR 1/24)

A Qatari diplomat says that the $15 million that was supposed to be transferred to Gaza last week is set to go through this week, following a relatively quiet day of protests on 1/18. “Due to the violence on the border, the Israeli government postponed it,” he says. “The agreement is subject to there not being too much violence, so last Friday they approved to do the third tranche.” (HA, JP, REU, TOI, YA 1/20)

YNet reports that PA prime minister Rami Hamdallah formally informed U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo that the Palestinians have decided to reject future U.S. financial assistance, including that which supports the PA security forces, in response to the Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act, which the U.S. passed into law in 10/2018 (see *S. 2946 of 5/24/18 at congressionalmonitor.org for details). That law, which is set to go into effect at the end of the month, forced the Palestinians to either accept future U.S. aid or open themselves up to terrorism lawsuits from individual U.S. citizens, inter alia. (JP, TOI, YA 1/20)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu lands in Chad to renew the diplomatic ties between Israel and Chad that were severed in 1972. At a joint press conference with Netanyahu, Chad’s President Idriss Déby says, ‘The purpose of your visit is to bring our two countries closer and to cooperate.” Netanyahu calls it the renewal of ties a “breakthrough” and a sign of Israel’s “rising standing” in the Muslim world. (HA, JP, TOI, TOI 1/20)

After unverified reports of Syrian air defenses intercepting an Israeli air strike near Damascus, several ground-to-ground projectiles are fired from Syria into northern Israel. They are all intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. Late at night, Israeli forces strike approximately 10 government weapons depots, intelligence sites, and other targets in Syria, killing 21 people, including 12 member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. An IDF spokesperson says that Iranian forces were responsible for the projectile launched into Israel earlier in the day. “This was planned in advance as an attempt to deter us from continuing to act against them,” he says. (HA, JP, TOI, YA, YA 1/20; JP, TOI 1/21; HA 1/22)