The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler shot and killed 1 Palestinian man after he allegedly stabbed and injured 1 other Israeli settler near the Mitzpe Eshtemoa outpost south of Hebron. Israeli settlers also vandalized 30 olive tree saplings in Qusra. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a late-night raid in Balata refugee camp. Israeli forces also demolished 1 house and 1 house under construction in Bireen, displacing 8, demolished 3 houses under construction in al-Baqa‘a, issued a demolition notice for 1 house and 1 agricultural structure in al-Juwaya, and issued stop-work orders for 3 agricultural structures in Jayyus. 23 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Nil‘in Beit Duqqu, Sur Baher, Tuqu‘, Dheisheh refugee camp, al-Khader, Yatta, Surif, Bayt Awa, Fahma, and Jericho. (AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/11; ALM, HA, MDW, PCHR 1/12; UNOCHA 2/16; UNOCHA 2/3)

Israeli media reported that the Israeli military began to prepare the eviction of more than 1,000 Palestinians from the Masafer Yatta area 2 months ago and that it had presented the plans to the new Israeli government after it was sworn in at the end of December. The Israeli Supreme Court greenlit the evictions in May last year, accepting the government’s position that there were no permanent structures in the area when Israel declared it a firing zone. (AN, HA 1/11)

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki met with UK minister for the Middle East Lord Tariq Ahmad in Ramallah. (WAFA, WAFA 1/11)

The Knesset approved the preliminary reading of 7 draft laws that will revoke citizenship and residency status from Palestinians living in Israel that receive funds, directly or indirectly, from the PA after being convicted of terrorist acts. (HA 1/11)

The Israeli justice ministry released a draft of its proposed overhaul of the relations between the judicial and legislative branches of the Israeli government. If enacted the Knesset will be able to amend Basic Laws without Supreme Court interference and allow the government to freely appoint Supreme Court justices. (AX, GDN, HA, MEMO, NYT, TOI 1/11; IN, TOI 1/12)

The new Turkish ambassador to Israel Şakir Özkan Torunlar presented his credentials to Israeli president Isaac Herzog in a ceremony in Jerusalem. The previous Turkish charge d’affaires in Israel was recalled by Turkey in 2018 due to Israel’s deadly response to the Great March of Return protests in Gaza. (ALM 1/11)

EU commissioner for crisis management Janez Lanericic said that Israel must pay reparations for structures it demolishes that are funded by the EU. Commissioner Lanericic said that the EU “repeatedly requested that Israel compensate for the loss of European taxpayers' money,” but that diplomatic efforts have been ineffective. (HA, WAFA 1/11; MEMO 1/12)

In the West Bank, PA forces violently dispersed Palestinians demonstrating against the detention of political prisoners held by the PA in Nablus, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinians in Hebron, injuring 2, including 1 minor. Israeli settlers also threw stones at farmers in Lasifer. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized 14 olive trees in Yasuf. Israeli forces demolished 4 structures in ‘Anata and issued a demolition notice for another in Ein ad-Duyuk at-Tahta, demolished 1 commercial structure in al-‘Awja, demolished 1 house in Kafr ad-Dik, and issued demolition notices for 2 structures in Maeen in the Masafer Yatta area. 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tuqu’, Beit Umar, Bayt Rima, Ya‘bad, and Nablus. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land east of Khuza‘a. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/10; PCHR, WAFA 1/11; PCHR 1/12; UNOCHA 2/3)

The OIC’s Executive Committee held an extraordinary meeting to discuss Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s tour of the Haram al-Sharif compound on 1/3 and issued a statement condemning Ben-Gvir’s actions. (WAFA 1/10)

In an interview with Kan, U.S. ambassador to Israel Tom Nides said that the U.S. government opposes “legalizing outposts, [and] massive settlement expansion.” (HA 1/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians and their property in Khallet Nahla, injuring 2 Palestinians. Israeli settlers also vandalized 150 olive tree saplings and stole barrels and barbed wire in al-Mughayyir. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers with a military escort set up 4 mobile homes near Umm al-Khair, leading to a confrontation with Palestinian landowners and causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli settlers also vandalized 40 olive trees in Amateen. Israeli forces assaulted 1 Palestinian and arrested 2 others near the Negohot settlement. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 2 with baton rounds. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza’a and al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. In Tel Aviv, at a protest against Israel’s new government, 1 Israeli man assaulted Palestinian MK and leader of the Hadash party Ayman Odeh after he gave a speech to the protesters. 1 man was arrested by Israeli police on 1/8 in relation to the assault. (HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/7; AJ, HA 1/8; PCHR 1/12; UNOCHA 2/16)

Israeli police raided a parent-teacher association meeting in Isawiya, claiming the event was funded by the PA. The chairperson of the association Mahmoud Faiz said the meeting had no relation to the PA and was related to staffing shortages at schools. (HA 1/7)

Israel’s defense minister Yoav Gallant revoked the travel permits for Fatah deputy chairman Mahmoud Aloul and Fatah Central Committee members Azzam al-Ahmad and Rawhi Fattouh, citing their meeting with Karim Younis, who was released from Israeli prison after 40 years on 1/5. (HA, WAFA 1/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian minor with metal clubs in Hebron. Israeli settlers also stole 30 bee hives and olive harvesting equipment in Deir Sharaf. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians during a late-night raid in Jenin refugee camp; 3 were arrested. Israeli forces also demolished 2 Palestinian homes under construction in al-Ramadin and 2 commercial structures in Qalandia. Elsewhere, Israeli forces issued stop-work orders for 2 homes and 1 agricultural structure in Umm Lasfa in the Masafer Yatta area. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Kobar, Dura, and Beit Furik. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Isawiya and Silwan. (AJ, AP, F24, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/1; MEMO, WAFA 12/2; PCHR 12/8; UNOCHA 12/16)

Israel’s interior minister Ayelet Shaked ordered the deportation of Palestinian human rights lawyer Salah Hamouri to France. Hamouri, who is from East Jerusalem and held Israeli residency status until it was revoked in October 2021, is a French citizen. He has been held on administrative detention since March 2022. Interior Minister Shaked said Hamouri would be deported due to his alleged senior position in the PFLP. Amnesty International said that the deportation, scheduled for 12/4, would constitute a war crime. It was reported on 12/2 that Israel had postponed the deportation of Hamouri. (AI, ALM, AP, GDN, HA, IN, MDW, MEMO, TOI, WAFA 12/1; AJ, BBC 12/2; WAFA 12/3; MEMO 12/4; AP 12/6)

The UN said it had filed a complaint with Hamas authorities after finding a “man-made cavity” underneath an UNRWA school in Gaza. (F24, TOI 12/1)

Israeli prime minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu made an agreement with the Religious Zionism Party leader Bezalel Smotrich, putting his party in charge of the settlement construction in the West Bank. (AJ, AP, IN, MEMO, REU, TOI 12/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near al-Mughayyir, injuring 1 Palestinian and causing damage. Israeli settlers also physically assaulted and pepper sprayed Palestinians working their land east of Hebron. 1 Palestinian man rammed his car into an Israeli soldier at the Kochav Yaakov settlement near al-Bireh, moderately injuring the soldier. The Palestinian man was shot dead by Israeli forces in a subsequent car chase. Israeli forces also shot and killed 2 Palestinians during a raid in Kafr Ein. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 8 others during a raid in Beit Umar. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian during a raid in al-Mughayyir. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beit Umar, injuring 3 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also uprooted 70 olive trees and 20 citrus trees near Hizma. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Arroub refugee camp, causing tear gas-related injuries. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work orders against 8 homes in Haris. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 1 tractor in Azzun ‘Atmeh. Israeli forces also demolished 2 homes in al-Duyouk ak-Tahta. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 residential structure in ‘Anata, displacing 7. (AJ, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/29; MEE, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, REU, WAFA 11/30; PCHR 12/1; MEE 12/4; UNOCHA 12/16)

Norway and the PA signed an agreement for Norway to donate $6.6 million for the rehabilitation of an electricity transformer substation in Gaza and to install solar panels on 6 schools in Jerusalem. (WAFA 11/29; MEMO 11/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized more than 100 olive trees near Turmus ‘Ayya. Israeli settlers also vandalized 60 olive trees in Jalud, spraying them with chemicals. Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian home in Qibya and 1 Palestinian home east of Jericho. 21 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Balata refugee camp, Jenin, Qalqilya, and Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolished 1 bakery in Shu’fat refugee camp and 1 house under construction in Bayt Hanina. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Shu’fat refugee camp. In the Naqab, Israel began construction of a new town, Hiran, on the lands of Umm al-Hiran which Israel has slated for demolition. The demolition of Umm al-Hiran and construction of Hiran has been halted since 2017 when Israeli police killed 1 Palestinian man trying to protect his property. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/7; MEMO 11/8; MDW 11/9; PCHR 11/10; UNOCHA 11/13)

Israel imposed a ban on seafood and fish exports from Gaza to the West Bank, saying that 20 tons of fish were attempted to be smuggled from the West Bank to Israel. The collective punishment imposed on fishermen and workers in Gaza affected some 5,500 Palestinians employed in the industry. (HA 11/9; HA 11/10; MEMO 11/11)

1 Israeli settler succumbed to injuries sustained in a stabbing attack 2 weeks prior in al-Funduq. (HA 11/8)

Israeli forces arrested 1 Israeli settler accused of attacking Israeli forces and Palestinians. The man was later placed in administrative detention, the only Jewish person out of more than 800 administrative detainees, after an Israeli court only allowed Israeli police to hold him until 11/11. (HA 11/9)

1 Israeli settler was indicted by the Israeli state prosecutor’s office on terrorism-related charges for assaulting 1 Palestinian man in Sheikh Jarrah on 10/13. (HA 11/7)

U.S. president Joe Biden called incoming Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to congratulate him on his election. President Biden told Netanyahu, “[w]e're brothers, we'll make history together … my commitment to Israel is indisputable." (AJ, ALM, AX, HA 11/7)

The UN Human Rights Council established independent commission of inquiry began hearings in Geneva on Israeli human rights abuses. (AJ, MEMO, MEMO 11/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Qaryut. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the siege of Nablus at the Huwwara checkpoint, causing tear-gas related injuries. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 4 Palestinian fishermen and seized their boat within 6 nautical miles off the coast. (MEMO, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/1; PCHR 11/3; UNOCHA 11/13)

An Israeli court approved the demolition of a school in al-Samiya. The school was inaugurated in January and built with EU funding. (WAFA 11/1; MEMO 11/2)

Israel held general elections for the 5th time since 2019. The right-wing bloc led by Benjamin Netanyahu won a majority of the seats and is expected to form a government in the coming weeks. The Likud Party won the most seats with 32. Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid gained 24 seats while the third largest party was the Religious Zionism alliance, made up of the Zionist National Union-Tkuma and the Otzma Yehudit party and led by Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, which won 14 seats. The Palestinian parties Hadash-Ta‘al and the United Arab List each gained 5 seats. Balad, Meretz and the Ayelet Shaked-led Habayit Hayehudi did not make the electoral threshold. It was reported that the U.S. was considering a “no-contact” policy in dealing with a potential minister Ben-Gvir given his extremist ideology and actions. The voter turnout among Palestinian citizens of Israel was 55%. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, AX, MEE, NYT, NYT 11/1; AJ, AJ, ALM, ALM, AX, AX, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU 11/2; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, ALM, AP, AP, AX, BBC, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, MEMO, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU 11/3; AJ, ALM, GDN, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, TOI 11/4; HA, HA, MDW 11/6)

Algeria hosted the 1st summit of the Arab League since 2019. The leaders of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco did not attend the summit. PA president Mahmoud Abbas held a meeting with acting U.S. assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs Yael Lambert on the sidelines of the summit. (WAFA 10/31; AJ, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA 11/1)

In the West Bank, an Israeli settler rammed and killed 1 Palestinian by car after he allegedly shot and killed 1 Israeli settler and injured 2 Israeli settlers in the Kiryat Arba settlement in Hebron. 1 Palestinian paramedic was also injured during the incident; it was unclear who shot him. Israeli settlers subsequently opened fire at Palestinian property in Hebron; no injuries were reported. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians with pepper spray in Hebron. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Huwwara and al-Minaya. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinians harvesting olives in Hebron. Israeli settlers also stole olive harvests in Deir Sharaf. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assaulted and arrested 2 Palestinian women at the Haram al-Sharif compound. 2 Palestinian family demolished their own homes in the Old City and Shu‘fat refugee camp. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AP, GDN, HA, JP, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/29; AA, TOI 10/30; UNOCHA 11/1; PCHR 11/3; UNOCHA 11/13)

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, Israeli settlers uprooted some 120 olive tree saplings in Qabalan. 1 Israeli soldier on leave stopped his car on a road in Huwwara and started shooting at Palestinian homes, causing damage. Israeli forces shot and injured 5 Palestinians during a raid in Qarawat Bani Hassan; 1 succumbed to his injuries on 10/16. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of Beit Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/15; AJ, HA, HA, PCHR, REU, TOI, UNOCHA, WAFA 10/16; PCHR 10/20; UNOCHA 11/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at 1 Palestinian house in Ras Kaskar and at vehicles near Nabi Salih, Ramallah, ‘Ayn al-Hilweh, and Huwwara, causing damage. Israeli forces prevented Palestinian farmers from harvesting olives near Haris. Israeli forces also demolished 4 residential structures and razed a plot of land in Susiya. Elsewhere, Israeli forces closed 2 checkpoints in Huwwara. Israeli forces also shot and injured 2 Palestinians, including 1 minor, during a raid in Sarda. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers opened fire at Palestinians in Silwan; no injuries were reported. Israeli settlers also toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen northwest of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/9; MEMO 10/10; PCHR 10/13; UNOCHA 10/16)

All crossings to Gaza and the West Bank were closed from 4 P.M. until 10/10 at 12.59 P.M. due to the Sukkot holiday. (HA 10/7)

20 Palestinian prisoners joined the mass hunger strike that began on 9/25, raising the number of protestors to 50. (WAFA 10/9; MEMO 10/10)

The Israeli supreme court overturned the central election committee’s decision to ban the Balad party from running in the upcoming Israeli elections. (HA, WAFA 10/9; MEMO 10/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers tried to enter ‘Urif, but were repelled by Palestinians. Israeli forces razed land, uprooted 50 olive trees, and demolished 2 agricultural structures and 1 house under construction in Tuqu‘. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, Kifl Haris, Idhna, Hebron, and Beit Umar; 1 Palestinian was injured by live ammunition during the raid in Silwad and 1 was hit by a baton round; others suffered tear-gas related injuries during the raid in Beit Umar. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen northwest of Rafah and seized 3 boats carrying 2 generators and flashlights. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of al-Fukhari. In the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, 1 Israeli soldier died during a military exercise involving a tank. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/31; PCHR, PCHR 9/1)

Khalil Awawdeh suspended his over-170-day hunger strike to protest his administrative detention after Israel said it would not extend his administrative detention period beyond 10/2. Haaretz reported that Egyptian security officials had been mediating between Islamic Jihad and Israel to secure Awawdeh’s release and that talks continued for the release of Bassam al-Saadi. Their release was reportedly a demand by Islamic Jihad for agreeing to the ceasefire after Operation Breaking Dawn. Awawdeh is currently hospitalized for treatment related to his hunger strike. (MEE 8/29; AJ 8/30; AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA 8/31; MDW 9/1)

The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club said that more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners would launch a hunger strike on 9/1 in protest against Israeli punitive measures against prisoners implemented since February, including limited yard time and constant transfer of prisoners. The mass hunger strike was called off after the Israeli prison service gave in to the prisoners’ demands. (HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 8/31; MEE, WAFA 9/1)

Israel imposed sanctions on 20 companies and individuals alleged to be involved in financing Hamas. The companies and individuals are in Sudan, Turkey, Algeria, and the UAE. (ALM, AP 8/31)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with U.S. deputy assistant secretary for Israeli and Palestinian affairs Hady Amr in Ramallah. Prime Minister Shtayyeh called on Deputy Assistant Secretary Amr to ensure that the Biden administration will fulfill its promises to the Palestinian people. (WAFA 8/31)

In Syria, Israeli forces fired missiles at the Aleppo airport and near Damascus, causing damage. (AJ, AP, REU 8/31; REU 9/1; AP, HA 9/2)

U.S. president Joe Biden and Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid spoke on the phone, discussing the U.S. reentering the Iran Nuclear Deal and both countries’ commitment to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. (AJ, REU 8/31)

The UN security council passed a resolution extending the UNIFIL mandate until 8/31/2023 and condemning harassment of UNIFIL personnel in southern Lebanon. (AP 8/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces punitively demolished the homes of 2 Palestinians in Rumana accused of killing 3 Israelis in Elad on 5/5, displacing 14 Palestinians. Israeli forces also demolished 5 residential structures and 4 agricultural structures in Arab al-Ka‘abneh. Elsewhere, Israeli forces razed 12 dunams (3 acres) of farmland planted with olive trees in Tarqumiyah. Israeli forces also issued notices that it will seize land near Sa‘ir to expand a settler road. 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raid in Ramallah, Silwad, Marda, Beit Furik, Jamma‘in, Ya‘bad, Bethlehem, Halhul, and Beit Kahel. In Lebanon, unknown perpetrators killed 1 Palestinian security official in Ein El-Hilweh refugee camp. (ALM, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/8; MEMO 8/9; PCHR 8/11; UNOCHA 8/19)

Israel partially reopened crossings into Gaza for humanitarian aid after closing all crossings on 8/2 in anticipation of its assault on Gaza. New shipments of fuel also allowed the Gaza power plant to resume operations. (HA 8/7; AP, HA, MEMO, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA 8/8)

Israel’s civil administration told an Israeli court that it demolished the home of a Palestinian family in the West Bank by mistake. The family of 5’s home was demolished in July by Israeli forces despite the family’s pleas that there was a court order protecting their home. The Civil Administration said that the family’s home was thought to be the home of a different Palestinian family, whose home had already been demolished and blamed the mistake on “human error.” (HA 8/10)

U.S. president Joe Biden thanked Egypt for mediating the ceasefire that went into effect on 8/7 between Israel and Islamic Jihad. (HA 8/7)

The Honduran foreign ministry said that the country is considering moving its embassy to Israel back from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv. The new Honduran government that took office in January this year said in a statement that president Xiomara Castro wants to maintain a balanced relationship with Israel and Arab countries. PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki discussed the Honduran consideration with Honduran foreign minister Enrique Reina in Columbia on 8/7. (HA, MEMO 8/8)

The UN envoy for the Middle East peace process warned the UN security council that the ceasefire between Islamic Jihad and Israel was fragile and that the only way to secure longtime peace is through a 2-state solution based on the 1967 lines. PA UN envoy Riyad Mansour called on members of the Security Council to protect Palestinian lives and pressure Israel to end its blockade of Gaza. The Security Council emergency session was called by France, China, Norway, Ireland, and the UAE in response to Israel’s attacks on Gaza over the weekend, dubbed Operation Breaking Dawn. (AJ, AP, HA, TOI 8/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinian farmers in Khirbat Aqwewis in the Masafer Yatta area and let their livestock graze on land planted with barley and olive trees. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians in Tell, injuring 4 with pepper spray and 1 by physical assault. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian shepherd in ‘Ain al-Hilweh. Israeli forces shot 1 Palestinian man near a military post in Huwwara; the unarmed man who was collecting bottles died of his wounds on 7/30. Israeli forces also assaulted 2 Palestinians at Solomon’s Pools near Bethlehem. Israeli forces demolished commercial structures near the Jalamah checkpoint, 1 coffee shop in Ya‘bad, and 2 agricultural structures and a dirt road in Qusin. Israeli forces also punitively demolished the homes of 2 Palestinian prisoners in Qarawat Bani Hassan, displacing 18; 4 Palestinians were injured with baton rounds while protesting the demolition. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 6 Palestinian homes under construction in al-Dirat. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beit Duqqu and Biddu. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinians working their land east of al-Qarara and al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of Jabaliya, Beit Lahiya, and al-Sudaniyya. (HA, MEE, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/26; WAFA 7/27; PCHR 7/28; AA, MEE, TOI, WAFA 7/30; PCHR 8/4; UNOCHA 8/5)

Members of slain Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh’s family met with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken at the White House. The family said that they demanded a U.S.-led investigation into the Israeli killing of Abu Akleh and that they want to speak to U.S. president Joe Biden about the lack of accountably for the killing. (AJ, AP, AX, HA 7/26; AP, MDW 7/27)

Israel said Russian-operated S-300 anti-aircraft defense batteries had fired at Israeli jets flying over Syria in May. Israel said the anti-aircraft fire had missed the Israeli fighter jets. (AA, HA, REU, TOI 7/26)

The Predator spyware from the Israeli company Cytrox was found on the phone of a Greek member of the European parliament representing the Panhellenic Socialist Movement. (HA 7/26)

South African minister of international relations and cooperation Naledi Pandor said in a meeting that It is South African policy that Israel should be classified as an apartheid state at the UN. (AJ 7/26; MEE, WAFA 7/27; WAFA 7/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 450 olive, plum, grape, and almond trees near Turmus ‘Ayya. 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 returning to the West Bank from Jerusalem at the Qalandia checkpoint, 1 crossing from the West Bank to Jordan via the Allenby Bridge, and 1 while working his land in Idhna. (WAFA, WAFA 7/12; PCHR 7/21; UNOCHA 7/22)

Haaretz reported that the World Zionist Organization’s settlement division was finalizing plans to invest $8.5 million to connect settlement outposts in the West Bank to the Israeli electrical grid and preparing plans to have the outposts retroactively authorized by the Israeli government. (HA 7/12)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz approved 5,500 Palestinians to be registered with the Palestinian population registry and increased Gaza merchant permits for commerce in Israel from 1,500 to 15,000. Defense Minister Gantz also gave final approval for construction in Hizma and Harmaleh and 1st level approval for construction in Haris, Kisan, and Battir. Additionally, Israel said it would open a new crossing from Israel to the northern part of the West Bank to ease access to Jenin and delayed a meeting to expand Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem. The moves were described by Israel as a result of a meeting between Gantz and PA president Mahmoud Abbas last week and comes 1 day before U.S. president Joe Biden will arrive in Israel for a 4-day tour of Israel, Palestine, and Saudi Arabia. (AP, HA, WAFA 7/12)

4 members of the U.S. senate Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Dick Durban (D-IL), wrote a letter to U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken saying that the U.S. review of the evidence into the killing of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh “hardly constitutes an independent investigation into the overall circumstances of her killing.” In a separate letter, U.S. senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) called on the Biden administration to provide a senior-level classified briefing on the investigation details and the administration’s plan for accountability. (ALM, HA 7/12; MEE, WAFA 7/13)

Citing insufficient evidence, the foreign ministries of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Holland, Spain, and Sweden issued a joint statement saying that the countries have decided to dismiss Israeli claims that 6 Palestinian rights organizations are linked to terrorism and will continue funding them. The rights organizations were designated terrorist organizations by Defense Minister Gantz in October 2021. (AP, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA 7/12; MDW 7/15)

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, 1 Palestinian man shot by Israeli forces during a raid in Jenin refugee camp on 5/13 succumbed to his injuries. An Israeli settlement guard detained 1 Palestinian minor near the Yitzhar settlement. Israeli settlers also vandalized 50 olive trees in Yasuf. Israeli forces arrested 1 Palestinian man from al-Bireh carrying an axe; Israeli police claimed that a suicide note was found on his person. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters during a Nakba Day commemoration near al-Bireh, injuring 20, including 7 with live ammunition, 3 with baton rounds, and 6 with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians commemorating the Nakba at Palestine Technical University in Tulkarm, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also delivered a demolition notice for 1 house in as-Samu. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen northwest of Rafah; no injuries were reported. In Israel, Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinian students at Tel Aviv University during a Nakba Day protest, claiming the 3 had assaulted right-wing counter protesters; 2 were released the same day. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/15; HA, MDW, MEMO, MEMO 5/16; PCHR 5/19; UNOCHA 6/4)

Israel reopened the crossings between Gaza and Israel for the 1st time since 5/3. (HA 5/14; MEMO 5/15; PCHR 5/19)

The Israeli high court of justice rejected 4 petitions against the planned Jerusalem cable car project. The project had been heavily criticized by Palestinians for seeking to deepen the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem and by Israelis who believe the cable car would harm the aesthetics of the city. (AP, HA, REU 5/15; MEE 5/16)

The Jerusalem Post reported that Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett instructed his government to examine options of demolishing the family homes of Palestinian citizens of Israel convicted of committing attacks against Israeli Jews and whether Israel can deport their families to Gaza. (JP 5/16)

Berlin police arrested more than 170 pro-Palestine protesters marking Nakba Day. Berlin police had banned all Palestinian events and protests in the days surrounding Nakba Day, citing the potential for anti-Semitic sentiments. 1 of the banned pro-Palestine protests was organized by the Jewish organization Jüdische Stimme. (HRW 5/20; +972 5/21)

Members of the Somalia parliament elected Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as the country’s new president. During Mohamud’s previous tenure, he secretly met with then Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv in 2016, discussing potential normalization. (TOI 5/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 170 olive trees in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya and set 1 vehicle on fire in Asira al-Qibliya, writing “Jewish blood is not cheap” on nearby walls. Israeli settlers also opened fire on Palestinian vehicles driving near the Migdal Oz settlement. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near the al-Hamra checkpoint, smashing the windshields on 5 vehicles. Israeli settlers also threw stones at 1 Palestinian vehicle near Jericho, injuring the driver. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers stopped a Palestinian taxi driver near the Dead Sea before beating him. Israeli settlers also vandalized 2 vehicles in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces raided Ya‘bad, arresting 4 of the family members of 1 Palestinian man who killed 5 people in Israel on 3/29. Israeli forces also took measurements for a punitive demolition. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided al-Khader, causing tear-gas related injuries. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bayt Rima, Ein Misbah, Deir Abu Masha‘al, Bir al-Basha, Kafr Qaddum, Balata refugee camp, al-‘Ibayyat, and Beit Umar. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Isawiya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (HA, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/30; HA, PCHR, WAFA 3/31; +972 4/4; UNOCHA 4/10)

The Israeli cities of Netanya, Ramle, Holon, and Givatayim suspended construction and gardening work at public schools in an apparent effort to limit work by Palestinian laborers. Ramat Gan’s mayor also told building contractors in the city to end work on sites that “rely on Arab labor.” In addition, the Israeli military banned the entry of Palestinian workers into Israeli settlements. The restrictions on Palestinian workers come as 3 different attacks were carried out in Israel over the past week, including 2 by Palestinian citizens of Israel and 1 by a Palestinian from the West Bank. (HA 3/30)

Israel’s security cabinet decided to revoke work permits for relatives of Palestinians who have attacked Israelis and pushed forward a plan to reinforce the separation barrier. Israeli police also asked the security cabinet to limit access to the Haram al-Sharif compound to Muslim worshippers 60 and older—a request the security cabinet did not immediately respond to. Prime minister Naftali Bennett also called on all licensed Israelis to start carrying a weapon. (HA 3/30; HA, HA 3/31)

Prime Minister Bennett spoke with U.S. president Joe Biden, who offered his condolences after 11 people have been killed in attacks in Israel in the past week. (HA 3/31)

Israeli president Isaac Herzog met with Jordan’s king Abdullah II in Amman. (HA, REU 3/29; ALM, HA, REU 3/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli MK Itamar Ben-Gvir drew a gun at Palestinians, claiming they were throwing stones at settler vehicles near al-Arroub refugee camp; no injuries or damage were reported. Later in the day, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting Ben-Gvir’s actions, injuring 1 with live ammunition. Israeli settlers also stole around 200 olive trees and saplings in Kafr ad-Dik and vandalized an agricultural structure. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor in Abu Dis, claiming he had thrown a Molotov cocktail at Israeli soldiers while they were raiding the village. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron, Aida refugee camp, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 2 Israeli settlers were arrested for allegedly damaging church property in the Old City. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian, saying he had stabbed 2 Israeli police officers in the Old City; Israeli forces later arrested his brother during a house raid in al-Tur where Israeli forces took measurements for a punitive demolition. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen northwest of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (ABC, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, JP, MEE, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/6; JP, MEMO, PCHR, TOI, WAFA 3/7; PCHR 3/10; UNOCHA 3/11)

The Israeli military spokesperson claimed that Israel had intercepted 2 Iranian drones in March of 2021, which Israel claimed to believe were transporting weapons to Gaza. (HA, MEMO 3/7)

Israel’s interior minister Ayelet Shaked said at the Knesset that too many Ukrainian refugees that are not Jewish have entered Israel since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 2/24. Interior Minister Shaked said she was working on an approach to bring in more Jewish Ukrainian refugees. (HA 3/6; HA, JDF 3/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 60 olive tree saplings in Salfit. Israeli forces demolished 1 greenhouse in Jayyus and 1 house in Idhna. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work notices for 8 apartments and an animal barn in Qaryut. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in al-Bireh against assassination by Israeli forces of 3 Palestinians by Israeli forces in Nablus on 2/8, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting a settler tour in Jericho, injuring 2 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. In Gaza, Palestinians marched in protest over the assassination by Israeli forces of 3 Palestinians by Israeli forces in Nablus on 2/8; the protesters condemned the killings and criticized the PA for its security cooperation with Israel. Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Abasan; no injuries were reported. 2 Palestinians crossed the Gaza fence and set 1 empty Israeli military vehicle on fire before returning to Gaza; no injuries were reported. In the Naqab desert, Israeli right-wing activists set up 20 mobile structures erecting a new settlement, calling it Ma’aleh Paula near the Bedouin village Beit Kama. Israeli police raided the new settlement, dismantling the structures and briefly detained 15 of the Israelis who refused to leave. The right-wing activists were joined by Itamar Ben-Gvir, Simcha Rothman, and Orit Strock of the Religious Zionism party, and Shlomo Karhi of Likud. Israeli authorities also demolished 3 apartments under construction in Nazareth, leading to a confrontation with local residents; no injuries were reported. (HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/9; AJ, MEMO, PCHR, WAFA 2/10; INT 2/15; UNOCHA 2/28)

The PLO Central Council agreed to suspend the PLO recognition of Israel until Israel recognizes the state of Palestine along the 1967 borders and halts all settlement activity. The Central Council also voted to suspend security cooperation with Israel. For the decision to be enacted, it will need to be approved by the PLO Executive Committee. (HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 2/9; HA 2/13)

The World Bank released a report on the Palestinian economy, saying that it is held back by lack of access to a digital economy, partly due to Israeli restrictions on high-speed internet. Israel allows the West Bank to have 3G internet speeds and only 2G in Gaza. In Israel, the internet speed is 4G and moving toward 5G. (ALM, HA 2/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Israeli activists from Rabbis for Human Rights working with Palestinians in Burin to plant trees; 7 were injured by the settlers with clubs and other improvised weapons and 1 car was set on fire. Rabbis for Human rights posted a video of the incident on Twitter. Israeli settlers also fenced off 4 dunams (1 acre) of Palestinian land in Kafr ad-Dik and planted it with trees. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized some 300 olive tree saplings in Deir Sharaf. Israeli settlers also vandalized 90 olive trees and olive saplings in Yasuf and Bidya. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian man and attempted to set his car on fire in Deir Istiya. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, inuring 6 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 9 with rubber-coated bullets and 52 with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 17 with tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian man in Sinjil, detaining him before allowing Palestinians to take him to a hospital in Ramallah. Meanwhile, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet and others with tear gas. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during late-night raids in Sinjil and Jannatah and 4 during a house raid in Zeita. PA forces arrested 3 members of Islamic Jihad during a raid in Beita, including Abdul Raouf al-Jaghoub, a local Islamic Jihad leader. Hamas and Islamic Jihad slammed the PA for the arrests. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers led by deputy mayor of Jerusalem Aryeh King assaulted 1 Palestinian and set up barbed wire around a plot of land belonging to the Salem family, who are threatened by eviction in Sheikh Jarrah; Israeli forces also confiscated Palestinian flags from protesters. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire and fired tear gas at Palestinian farmers east of Dayr al-Balah, Abasan, and al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. (HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/21; MEMO 1/22; ALM 1/25; PCHR 1/27)

Israel’s public security minister Omer Bar-Lev called the incident where activists from Rabbis for Human Rights were attacked by Israeli settlers near Burin “actions of a terror organization.” Public Security Minister Bar-Lev further stated that it is difficult to apprehend the attackers. No arrests were made as of 1/22. (HA, MEMO 1/23)

The Qatari foreign ministry said it had signed a deal to cover the cost of supplying Gaza’s power plant with gas through an escrow account. (HA 1/21; ALM, MEMO 1/22)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian man hit 1 Israeli soldier with his car in a crash near the Halamish settlement near Deir Nidham. Israeli forces arrested the Palestinian man who also sustained injuries; it was unclear if he hit the soldier on purpose. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Sabastia and closed a road between Jenin and Nablus. Israeli settlers with military escort also closed an entry to al-Lubban al-Sharqiya. Israeli forces shot and injured 5 Palestinian protesters with rubber-coated bullets at a checkpoint near Birzeit University; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also uprooted 40 dunams (9.9 acres) of land planted with olive and almond saplings, demolished agricultural structures in Battir, and demolished 1 residential tent in Bayt Jala, displacing 6. 9 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Beit Sahour, Dheisheh refugee camp, Tulkarm, Bir al-Basha, Jaba‘, and Kobar. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a raid in Silwan. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian farmers east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also opened fire and fired tear gas at Palestinian farmers northeast of Beit Hanun, causing tear-gas related injuries. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza City, damaging 1 boat; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of al-Shuka. In the Naqab desert, Israeli police violently dispersed Palestinians protesting a forestation program designed to displace Palestinian Bedouins from their land near Sawa; 16 were arrested and 2 Israeli police officers were reportedly injured. There were also reports that stone-throwers had attacked 1 bus, that large stones had been placed on railway tracks, forcing a train to stop, and that 1 Israeli journalist was assaulted and his car set on fire. (HA, HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/11; AJ, PCHR 1/13)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Sharm al-Shaykh. President Abbas was in Egypt to participate in the World Youth Forum. (MEMO, WAFA 1/11; MEMO 1/12)

Israeli authorities charged 1 Israeli police officer with assaulting 1 Palestinian woman by ripping off her hijab, pulling her hair, and hitting her in East Jerusalem. (HA 1/11)

The Israeli supreme court ruled that the Israeli interior ministry cannot continue to deny Palestinians married to Israeli citizens residency rights, using a temporary ban that expired in July 2021. Interior minister Ayelet Shaked has instructed her ministry to hold up Palestinian applications for family unifications. (HA, WAFA 1/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces uprooted 50 olive trees in Wadi Fukin. Israeli forces also demolished 9 residential and 14 agricultural structures in Ibziq. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished a house under construction in Qalqas. Israeli force shot and injured 6 Palestinians using live ammunition during a late-night raid in Tubas. 13 Palestinians were arrested during raids in al-Am‘ari refugee camp, Beit Umar, Halhul, Yatta, Jenin, Ya‘bad, and Kaft Laqif; 1 Palestinian was injured by Israeli live ammunition during a protest against the raid in al-Am‘ari refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces physically assaulted 2 Palestinians in Isawiya and Jabel Mukaber. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian farmers east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza City; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/28; MEE, WAFA 12/29; PCHR 12/30)

The Jordanian Detainees Committee in Saudi Arabia said that a Saudi court had reduced the sentence of former Hamas official Mohammad al-Khodari from 15 years to 3 years in prison. Al-Khodari was 1 of some 60 Jordanian and Palestinian nationals to receive sentences by Saudi Arabia earlier this year for an affiliation with Hamas or other resistance groups. (MEMO 12/29)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz at Gantz’s residence in Rosh Ha’ayin. The 2.5-hour-long meeting was attended by Israel’s coordinator of government activities in the territories Rassan Aliyan, PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh, and head of PA security service Majed Faraj. Civil Affairs Minister al-Sheikh said the 2 sides spoke of a political horizon while Defense Minister Gantz tweeted that the meeting was about economic and civic measures and security coordination. An Israeli statement said Israel had agreed to register 6,000 Palestinians living in the West Bank and 3,500 living in Gaza, give the PA a $32-million advance on its tax income, and grant more business permits and VIP passes for the PA. Israeli and Palestinian officials said that President Abbas demanded more action against settler violence and the revocation of terror designations for 6 Palestinian rights organizations. It was President Abbas’s 1st meeting with an Israeli official in Israel since 2010. A Hamas spokesperson condemned Abbas’s visit, saying he was accommodating the occupation and “deepening Palestinian political divisions.” Islamic Jihad and the PFLP also condemned the meeting. (AP, HA, JP, TOI 12/28; ABC, AJ, ALM, AP, AX, F24, HILL, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 12/29; ALM, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO 12/30; ALM, MEMO 12/31; TOI 1/1; TOI 1/2)

Israeli justice minister Gideon Sa‘ar said he wanted the Homesh settlement outpost legalized in response to the killing of 1 Israeli settler on 12/16. (HA 12/28)

In Syria, Israel conducted air strikes in Latakia, causing damage at the city’s port. Israeli sources claimed that Israeli missiles had hit Iranian munitions stored in containers. A Russian official said 4 missiles were fired from 2 Israeli F-16s, causing minor material damage. The Russian official also said that the Syrian air defense system was deactivated because a Russian plane was landing nearby. (AJ, AP, AP, GDN, HA, HA, NWK, REU 12/28; MEMO 12/29; AP, HA 12/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in Burqa, throwing stones at 2 homes and physically assaulting residents, causing 1 hospitalization; settlers also vandalized tombstones in the village. Israeli settlers also raided Jenin but were repelled by armed Palestinians. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers with military escort marched to the Homesh settlement outpost, leading to clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian protests; 42 Palestinians were injured with rubber-coated bullets and 83 suffered tear-gas suffocation. Israeli settlers also uprooted 60 olive trees in Yatta and 300 olive tree saplings in Tarqumiyah. Israeli forces dismantled 6 structures erected by Israeli settlers in the Homesh settlement outpost; the Israeli forces did not demolish the yeshiva in the settlement outpost. Elsewhere, Israeli forces placed roadblocks on roads leading to Burqa. Israeli forces also assaulted 1 Palestinian man in Bazariya, who was hospitalized for his injuries. 14 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Burqa, Asira, Qarawat Bani Hassan, Anabta, Silat al-Harithiya, Tammun, and Dheisheh refugee camp; 1 Palestinian was shot and injured by an Israeli sniper during a protest against the raid in Dheisheh refugee camp. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land north of Beit Lahiya and east of Maghazi. Israeli forces also opened fire at Palestinian agricultural lands east of al-Shuka; no injuries were reported. (HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/23; AJ, HA 12/24; ALM 12/27; PCHR 12/30)

An Israeli court postponed the eviction of the Palestinian Salem family in Sheikh Jarrah after Israeli police asked it to, citing a security risk. (HA 12/23)

The lawyer of a Palestinian prisoner on hunger strike in protest against his administrative detention warned that his client was in critical condition and in need of hospitalization. The man has been on hunger strike for 129 days. (WAFA 12/23)

An Israeli military court sentenced 2 Palestinians to life in prison for the killing of 1 Israeli soldier in 2019. The 2 men were also ordered to pay the soldier’s family $480,000. (HA 12/23)

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemned Israel’s inaction against the rise in Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank and called on the international community to intervene. (MEMO 12/24)

At the UN, 125 countries voted to support the UN Human Rights Council’s investigation of Israel’s assault on Gaza in May. In a separate vote, 8 countries, including Israel and the U.S., voted to defund the investigation; 34 countries abstained, including Canada and Australia. (WAFA 12/24; MEMO 12/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Khallet al-Dabe in Masafer Yatta, vandalizing 70 olive trees and releasing Palestinian-owned sheep on the land, destroying crops as they grazed. 24 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Bethlehem, Dheisheh refugee camp, al-Arroub refugee camp, Balata refugee camp, Tell, Tulkarm, and Deir al-Ghusun. In East Jerusalem, a group of Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian man in Sheikh Jarrah and vandalized 5 Palestinian-owned vehicles. The settlers sprayed pepper spray at the man and threw stones at vehicles; 2 of the settlers were arrested by Israeli police on 12/10 in relation to the attack. 13 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Ras al-Amud and Isawiya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Beit Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces arrested 2 Palestinians near the Gaza fence east of Khan Yunis. Israeli forces also opened fire at Palestinian farmers east of al-Maghazi; no injuries were reported. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/9; HA, WAFA 12/10; PCHR 12/16)

The Israeli ministry of justice closed a probe into the killing of 1 Palestinian who was lying on the ground after allegedly stabbing 1 Israeli man near the Damascus Gate plaza on 12/4. The ministry accepted the Israeli soldiers’ claim that they were acting in self-defense when they executed the man on the ground, several feet away from the soldiers. (AJ, HA, MEE, WAFA 12/9)

Haaretz reported that complaints of beatings of 10 Palestinian prisoners by Israeli prison guards had been given to Israeli police. The beatings allegedly unfolded in the aftermath of the prisoner escape on 9/6 as Palestinian prisoners subsequently were transferred from Gilboa prison to Shata prison. (HA 12/5; HA 12/9)

The British war monitoring NGO Airwars released a report focused on Israeli air strikes in Gaza and Syria. Airwars found that during the 11-day attack on Gaza in May, Israel killed between 151 and 192 Palestinian civilians in 128 “locally reported civilian harm events.” Airwars also found that between 15 and 20 civilians were killed in Gaza due to Palestinian rocket misfires. In a comparative study between Israeli attacks on Syria and Gaza, Airwars found that Israel killed many times more civilians during its 11-day attack on Gaza then it had done in Syria since 2013. Airwars attributed this discrepancy to willingness to attack densely populated areas of Gaza, while showing hesitancy to do so in Syria. (AA, Airwars 12/9)

Haaretz released an investigative report based on previously classified Israeli ministerial documents about the Nakba. The report revealed that Israeli cabinet ministers were aware of the massacres on Palestinians by the Israeli military. (HA 12/9; HA, MEE 12/10; WAFA 12/12)

Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid met with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo to discuss Iran, normalization deals, and the reconstruction of Gaza. Foreign Minister Lapid presented President al-Sisi with his “economy for security” plan for Gaza. (AJ, ALM, HA, MEMO 12/9; ALM, MEMO 12/10)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz met with senior U.S. officials in Washington, including Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Defense Minister Gantz is said to be trying to convince the U.S. officials to expand sanctions on Iran. (AX 12/8; AJ, HA, REU 12/9; ALM, NYT 12/10)

NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware was detected on 4 activists’ phones in Kazakhstan. The 4 activists are critics of the Kazakh government. (HA 12/9)

Sweden pledged $5.7 million to UNRWA and UN’s development program, earmarked to help Palestinians in Gaza rebuild after Israel’s attacks in May. (WAFA 12/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole olive harvesting equipment in Jalud. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians harvesting olives near Aqraba, disturbing their harvest. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers with Israeli military escort attacked Palestinians harvesting olives and a member of Rabbis for Human Rights in Awarta, using pepper spray against the member of Rabbis for Human Rights, who was hospitalized. Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 12 houses in Duma. Israeli forces also denied Palestinian farmers entry to their lands in Jalud. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized a tent set up by solidarity activists in Khirbet al-Mufqara and dismantled part of a school in al-Maleh. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest in Ya‘bad, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Bireh, al-Am’ari refugee camp, al-Zawiya, Beita, and Ya‘bad. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities continued to raze Muslim graves at al-Yusufiya Muslim cemetery to make space for an Israeli park near the Haram al-Sharif compound; a video showed Israeli forces ripping a grieving Palestinian mother off her son’s grave before demolishing it. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of al-Fukhari. (HA, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/25; MEMO, REU 10/26; PCHR 10/28; MEE 10/29)

A hearing at the Israeli supreme court did not yield a decision on the eviction case of the Dweik family in Silwan. The family of 26 is under threat of eviction by the Israeli settler organization Ateret Cohanim, which claims to own the family’s homes. The Palestinian family has lived on the property for more than 50 years, from when Silwan was controlled by Jordan. (AJ, HA 10/25)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas promised a delegation from the 6 Palestinian rights organizations that were classified, by Israel, as terrorist organizations on 10/22 that the PA would take action against the decision. The head of the Israeli Labor party and transportation minister Merav Michaeli also criticized the Israeli government’s decision. Transportation Minister Michaeli’s main criticism was the manner in which the classifications were announced and that it could damage Israel’s relations with its allies. (HA 10/25; MEMO, WAFA 10/26)

Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid criticized the Israeli government’s decision to publish tenders for 1,300 new settler units in the West Bank. Meretz MK Mossi Raz also criticized the decision. (MEMO 10/26)

The 1st ever direct flight from Saudi Arabia to Israel completed its flight. The aircraft was registered in the UAE. (AA, JP 10/25; JP, MEMO 10/27)

In Sudan, the prime minister of the transitional government Abdalla Hamdok was placed in house arrest and 4 cabinet ministers were arrested in a military coup. Sudan’s interim government made moves to normalize relations with Israel in 2020 after a deal was made with the U.S. to take the country off the list of state sponsors of terror and to erase state debt to the U.S. Later in the day, the U.S. announced that it would freeze $700 million in aid for Sudan and that the normalization deal with the U.S. and Israel will have to be reevaluated. Israel did not comment on the coup. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU 10/25; MEMO 10/26)

In the West Bank, some 20 Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Turmus ‘Ayya, spraying pepper spray in the face of 1 Palestinian, setting fire to 1 vehicle, and slashing the tires of other cars nearby. Israeli settlers also set up 6 mobile homes and some tents in Khillat al-Nahla. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during late-night raids in Far‘un and Hebron; 1 was arrested at a checkpoint near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Wadi al-Juz. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis and Beit Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Israel, Palestinians protested outside of a police station in Sakhnin against the Israeli police’s failure to address the many murders in the Palestinian community in Israel. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/23; PCHR 10/28)

Kuwait signed 2 agreements with the UNRWA, pledging $1.5 million for health programming in Lebanon and $20 million to the UNRWA general budget. (WAFA 10/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole harvesting equipment in Qaryut and tried to steal olive crops before being chased away by Palestinians. Israeli forces razed 10 dunams of agricultural land in Wadi Rahal. 18 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Iskaka, Silwad, Ein Yabrud, Jalbun, Hebron, and Atuf. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/20; PCHR 10/21)

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett ordered 2 companies of Israeli “Border Police” soldiers to be deployed to fight violence in Palestinian populated areas of Israel. The decision follows debates among Israeli politicians on how to address the many killings in Palestinian-majority towns and villages, which has so far reached 102 in 2021. (HA 10/20)

Israeli authorities said that it had increased the number of work permits for Palestinians in Gaza, from 7,000 to 10,000, starting on 10/21. (ALM, AP, HA 10/20; HA 10/21)

Israel said it will require Palestinians working in Israel and in Israeli settlements to show proof of vaccination against the COVID-19 virus, starting on 11/1. (HA 10/20)

An Israeli military court allowed the publication of a 2016 conviction of an Israeli civil administrations major who was sentenced to 11 years in prison for raping 1 Palestinian woman and for receiving a bribe of a sexual nature. The Israeli soldier was also convicted of sexual harassment. (HA 10/20; MEMO 10/22)

Axios reported that U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan discussed the possibility of normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel during a meeting with Saudi crown prince Muhammad bin Salman in Neom, Saudi Arabia, on 9/27. According to Axios, 3 U.S. and Arab sources said Crown Prince bin Salman did not immediately reject the idea. It was unclear what the U.S. administration is offering Saudi Arabia for a normalization deal with Israel. The U.S., during the Trump administration, made big concessions to the UAE and Morocco in exchange for their normalization with Israel, including sales of advanced weaponry to the UAE and recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara to Morocco. The Saudi-led Arab Peace Initiative from 2002 laid out the parameters under which Saudi Arabia will normalize ties with Israel. (AX, HA 10/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian olive trees and threw stones at Palestinian property near Burin. Israeli settlers with military escort also prevented Palestinians from reaching their olive trees to harvest near Yatta. Israeli forces fired tear gas at Palestinians harvesting olives near Zabbuba. Israeli forces also delivered demolition orders for 3 structures under construction in al-Meniya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished parts of their own home in Silwan. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians gathered at the Damascus Gate plaza, firing sound bombs and spraying skunk water at protesters and property; 3 minors were arrested. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian agricultural lands east of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (HA 10/15; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/16; PCHR 10/21)

In Syria, Syrian state media said an Israeli sniper, shooting from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, had assassinated a former Syrian lawmaker, Madhat Saleh, in Ein el-Tinneh. Israeli media had reported that Saleh was an agent operating for Iran. Saleh, who was from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, was imprisoned by Israel for 12 years until he was released in 1997. Saleh’s relatives denied he had any connection to Iran. (HA, WAFA 10/16; AJ, MEMO 10/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Israeli soldiers and 1 Palestinian man with tear gas when the 2 soldiers were asking the Palestinian about settler vandalism at al-Mughayyir near the Adei Ad settlement outpost. Israeli settlers from the Ariel settlement also vandalized Palestinian property in Marda, spraying racist graffiti on walls and vehicles and puncturing tires. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers stole olive harvesting equipment in Burin. Israeli forces issued a demolition notice for a newly built road connecting Ya‘bad and Khirbat Emreha. Israeli forces also delivered notices for the seizure of 40 dunams (9.9 acres) of land in Yasuf. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around ‘Azzun, Beita, Burqa, Nawawrah, Beit Umar, and Hebron; during the raid in Beit Umar, Israeli forces damaged 2 vehicles and fired tear gas at Palestinians confronting the soldiers. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians from the Damascus Gate plaza, forcing them to leave the area. 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, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/13; HA, PCHR 10/14; AJ 10/17)

The Jerusalem local planning committee approved the expropriation of land in the planned East Jerusalem Israeli settlement of Givat Hamatos, where 1,257 housing units are planned, along with filing plans to expand Pisgat Ze’ev. (AJ, HA, MEE, MEMO 10/14; AP, TOI 10/15)

Some 400 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons started an open-ended hunger strike to protest new restrictions imposed after 6 prisoners escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6. (MEMO, WAFA 10/14)

In Syria, Syrian officials said Israel had conducted an air strike near Palmyra, targeting a telecommunications tower and causing damage. Russia said that the Syrian air defense system did not engage the Israeli-fired missiles because the Israeli jets firing them were using civilian airplanes as cover. 9 people were killed in the attack, according to the London-based Syrian opposition group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (AP 10/13; TOI 10/15)

Chairman of the Religious Zionist party Bezalel Smotrich told Palestinian Israeli lawmakers during a Knesset discussion that they are only in Israel because “Ben-Gurion didn’t finish the job and throw you out in 1948.” Smotrich also called the lawmakers “terror supporters.” (HA 10/13; MEMO 10/14)

Israel’s regional cooperation minister Issawi Frej and deputy minister of foreign affairs Idan Roll met with Sudanese justice minister Nasredeen Abdulbari in Dubai. They talked about promoting future projects between the 2 countries and how to further their normalization deal. (AP 10/13; ALM 10/14)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken met with Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid and later had a trilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Lapid and foreign minister of the UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Washington D.C. During a press conference, Secretary Blinken said that the U.S. is moving forward with reopening the U.S. consulate to Palestinians in Jerusalem, despite Israeli opposition. Lapid also later confirmed that the U.S. had raised the issue of Israeli settlement expansion during his meetings with U.S. officials. (AJ, ALM, AX, HA, HA, MEE, REU, REU 10/13; AP, REU 10/14)