In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assault 4 Palestinians during a raid in Arab ar-Rashaiyda. Israeli settlers also assault a Palestinian man near Dura, threatening to kill him if he continues to...
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March 31, 2024
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December 29, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man, saying he had rammed and injured 5 Israeli soldiers near Hebron. Israeli forces also shot and killed a Palestinian man during a...
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November 16, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians traveling near Nablus and Tulkarm. Israeli forces shot and killed 3 Palestinians after they shot and killed an Israeli soldier and...
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October 27, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers a with military escort shot and injured a Palestinian during a raid in Sarra. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinians traveling near Tuqu’, causing...
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October 10, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian family in their home in the Masafer Yatta area, causing bruises. Israeli settlers also opened fire at Palestinians harvesting olives in...
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August 28, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized a concrete mixer near Qarawat Bani Hassan. 17 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ya’bad, Nablus, Bethlehem, Aida refugee camp, Dura, and...
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August 24, 2023
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June 23, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort raided Deir Dibwan, setting fire to trees; 1 Palestinian was injured by live ammunition fired by Israeli forces during the raid. Israeli...
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April 17, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian woman, claiming she had stabbed and injured 1 settler near Beit Umar. Israeli forces also assaulted 1 Palestinian after forcing him...
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March 22, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinians in Fasayil, injuring 1. Israeli forces raided Nablus and took measurements for a punitive demolition of a home belonging to the family of...
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February 9, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man near Fawwar refugee camp, saying he had attempted to stab a soldier. Israeli forces issued 2 demolition orders for homes in al-...
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December 29, 2022
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Huwwara, causing damage. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Umm Safa, al-Mughayyir, Beit...
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December 19, 2022
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to 2 commercial structures in al-Zawiya, causing damage. Israeli forces demolished 2 houses in Jericho. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night...
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November 14, 2022
In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor during a late-night raid in Beitunia and injured 1 other. Israel said that the 2 were in a vehicle that did not stop when they...
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July 25, 2022
In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinian workers trying to enter Israel at al-Dhariyya checkpoint. Israeli forces also demolished 1 house in Umm Qassa in the Masafer Yatta...
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March 31, 2022
In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler shot and killed 1 Palestinian man after he had stabbed and injured 1 other Israeli settler with a screwdriver in a bus near the Efrat settlement south of...
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March 17, 2022
In the West Bank, Israeli forces sealed off parts of the Old City in Hebron and forced Palestinian shops to close. Israeli forces also delivered a stop-work order for 2 houses in Kafr ad-Dik. 16...
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March 2, 2022
In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler was injured in a stabbing incident in Hizma; Israel claimed the man was stabbed by a Palestinian; 1 Palestinian man was arrested on 3/3 for the stabbing and for...
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January 4, 2022
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers let Palestinian-owned cattle out of their pen near Bidya, leading to the damage of crops. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting a roadblock...
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November 10, 2021
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shot and injured 2 Palestinians and injured 5 others with stones near Khalat al-Daba; 3 cars were also damaged. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night...
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September 9, 2021
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers smashed the windshields of Palestinian-owned cars in Hebron. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in the Old City of Hebron, hitting 1...
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September 5, 2021
In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized 1 excavator and 1 4x4 vehicle in Dura. 10 Palestinians were arrested, including 8 during late-night raids in and around Sa‘ir and Bethlehem, and 2 were...
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September 1, 2021
In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 1 house in Harmala, 1 house in Bayt Ta‘mar, and 3 agricultural structures in Duma. 4 Palestinian children were arrested during late-night raids in...
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August 19, 2021
In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also leveled agricultural land near Bethlehem. 13...
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July 13, 2021
In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished stone fencing and a water well, uprooted olive and grape trees, razed 10 dunams (2.5 acres) of land in Qusra, and handed demolition orders for 2...
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April 9, 2021
In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Hebron, leading to clashes; 1 Palestinian minor was shot in the head with a rubber-coated bullet, leading him to lose an eye. A...
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January 31, 2021
In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint near Bethlehem, alleging that he tried to stab Israeli soldiers; no Israeli soldier was injured. Israeli forces also...
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December 15, 2020
In the West Bank, around 20 Israeli settlers attacked Kisan, throwing stones at Palestinian-owned homes, causing damage. Israeli forces razed Palestinian-owned agricultural lands near Hebron and...
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October 29, 2020
In the West Bank, Israeli forces attacked Palestinian worshippers in al-Ibrahimi Mosque during morning prayers at the advent of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. 5 Palestinians were arrested during...
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October 26, 2020
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized some 100 Palestinian-owned olive trees in al-Mughayyir. Israeli forces uprooted 60 olive trees and razed land in Salfit. Israeli forces also delivered...
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assault 4 Palestinians during a raid in Arab ar-Rashaiyda. Israeli settlers also assault a Palestinian man near Dura, threatening to kill him if he continues to herd his sheep in the area. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers steal a tractor in Battir. Israeli settlers also throw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling between Huwwara and Qalqilya. Israeli forces raid Balata refugee camp, demolishing homes and razing a main street. Israeli forces also arrest 10 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Balata refugee camp, Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 5 Palestinians during raids in al-Tur and Shu’fat refugee camp. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Maghazi, Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis, and Gaza City, killing at least 77 people, including 4 at a tent for journalists outside of al-Aqsa Hospital in Dayr al-Balah where a WHO team is visiting to the assess needs of the hospital. Israeli forces also continue to raid and besiege al-Shifa Hospital. 4 Palestinians die of starvation at the Kamal Adwan Hospital, bringing the number of hunger-related deaths to at least 34. An Israeli soldier is killed in combat and another soldier succumbs to wounds sustained on 3/29. In Ashdod, Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian man who allegedly stabbed and injured 3 Israelis in a shopping mall. In Beersheba, Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian citizen of Israel who allegedly stabbed and injured an Israeli soldier at a bus station. In Jerusalem, tens of thousands of Israelis rally, calling for new elections. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Kounine, killing Hezbollah commander Ismail al-Zin. Israeli forces also bomb Meiss Ej-Jabal, Blida, Markaba, and Kafr Kila. Hezbollah forces attack Israeli military sites in Metulla and al-Manara. In Syria, Israeli forces bomb Damascus, killing 2 people. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/31; AJ, HA, HA, NYT 4/1; UNOCHA 4/3)
More than 32,782 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 13,400 children and 8,900 women, and around 75,298 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 445 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 112 children. More than 4,700 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 254 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,520 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 226 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. U.S. forces airdrop 50,000 meals over northern Gaza. UK forces also airdrop aid over Gaza. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 3/31; UNOCHA 4/3)
Israeli military officials and soldiers tell Haaretz that Israel has designated “kill zones” in Gaza where all Palestinians entering the invisible zone are classified as terrorists and soldiers are ordered to kill all unarmed adult men. (HA 3/31)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas swears in the new PA government headed by prime minister Mohammad Mustafa, who also will be the new foreign minister. (HA 3/30; AJ, WAFA 3/31; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/1)
A Hamas official tells Al-Aqsa TV that the PA has sent undercover security forces to Gaza using an Egyptian aid convoy and that 6 members of the security forces have been arrested. The PA denies the claim. (AJ, REU 3/31; HA 4/1)
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says in a speech that “the whole world is ganging up on us,” calling on Israelis to unite in defending Israel physically and morally. Netanyahu also says the invasion of Rafah is not delayed due to U.S. pressure and rejects calls for early elections. After the speech Netanyahu undergoes surgery for a hernia, leaving Justice Minister Yariv Levin as acting prime minister. Netanyahu will be released from the hospital on 4/2. (AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU 3/31; HA, REU 4/1)
Israeli attorney general Gali Baharav-Miara sends letters to the ministers of defense and education, telling them that ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students must be drafted into the military starting on 4/1. (AJ, HA 3/31)
Pope Francis calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of captives during his Easter address. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, WAFA 3/31)
The Wall Street Journal reports that the U.S. is concerned that intelligence sharing with Israel is leading to civilian deaths. The Journal also says that the Biden administration wrote a memo after 10/7/2023 expanding the scope of intelligence sharing with Israel. (AJ, HA, WSJ 3/31)
UN sources tell the Guardian that Israeli military chief of staff Herzi Halavi presented to UN officials last week a plan to dismantle UNRWA, which would include the transfer of some UNRWA staff to a replacement agency that would focus on the delivery of aid in Gaza or expanding the World Food Programme’s operations in Gaza. (GDN 3/31; AJ 4/1)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man, saying he had rammed and injured 5 Israeli soldiers near Hebron. Israeli forces also shot and killed a Palestinian man during a raid in al-Eizariya. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man after he allegedly tried to stab Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians and arrested 5 others during a raid in al-Fara’a refugee camp. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and injured 4 Palestinians, including a child, in at-Tayiba, Fawwar refugee camp, al-Arroub refugee camp, and Tuqu. Israeli forces also assaulted 2 Al Jazeera journalists in Dura, stealing all their equipment and mobile phones. Separately, Israeli forces assaulted 2 Palestinian shepherds in Jinba. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Qiffin, Ein as-Sultan, Deir Abu Masha’al, al-Am’ari refugee camp, and Surif. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians trying to reach the Haram al-Sharif compound with skunk water and baton rounds. In Gaza, Israeli forces bombed Khan Yunis, Maghazi, Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City, Rafah, and Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 187 people, including 3 at the Jordanian Field Hospital near Khan Yunis. Israeli forces also opened fire at an aid convoy despite coordination with the Israeli military, damaging a truck. In Lebanon, Islamic Jihad said 2 of its members were killed in Israeli assaults. Israel attacked sites around 10 miles north of the Blue Line. Hezbollah said it had attacked 6 Israeli positions. In Syria, Israeli forces attacked several places, saying rockets fired from Syria landed in the Golan Heights. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/29; UNOCHA 12/30)
More than 21,507 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 8,800 children and 6,300 women, and around 55,915 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 311 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 79 children. More than 3,812 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7. 165 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 898 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. As of 12/23, at least 65,000 housing units had been destroyed and 290,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. (AJ, UNOCHA 12/29; UNOCHA 12/30)
The WHO said it had recorded 180,000 cases of upper respiratory infections, 136,400 cases of diarrhea, half of which were in children under the age of 5, 55,400 cases of lice and scabies, and 5,330 cases of chickenpox in Gaza. (AJ 12/29; UNOCHA 12/30)
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said Israeli forces systematically loot Palestinian homes in Gaza, stealing money and valuables worth more than tens of millions of dollars. Healthcare Workers Watch-Palestine said it had collected testimonies from 10 medical workers arrested by Israel who all say they were tortured while detained. (WAFA 12/28; AJ 12/29; WAFA 12/30)
The PA foreign ministry said Israel was preventing sufficient aid from entering Gaza, deliberately depriving Palestinians of their basic needs. PA ambassador to the UN Majed Bamya told the UN Security Council that Israel was giving Palestinians in Gaza the option to die or be displaced. UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini said Israel was “creating a stream of baseless misinformation” about UNRWA’s responsibility for the lack of aid deliveries to Gaza, saying it is Israel that is impeding aid deliveries. (AJ 12/29; AJ 12/30)
Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said Israel will not transfer the PA its tax revenue while he is finance minister. It has been reported that U.S. president Joe Biden told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel should hand over the withheld PA funds to Norway, which will keep them until an arrangement is made to safeguard against the funds going to Hamas, a proposal Netanyahu made himself and that the PA reportedly accepted. (AX 12/28; AJ, HA 12/29)
South Africa invoked the Genocide Convention calling on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to expedite hearings on the issue of Israel committing genocide and to order Israel to immediately stop the killing of Palestinians in Gaza. In its report delivered to the ICJ, South Africa described Israel’s actions as “genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial, and ethnical group.” The Israeli Foreign Ministry called the South African action “blood libel.” The PA welcomed the South African action. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 12/29; AJ 12/30; HA 1/1)
U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken approved the sale of M107 155mm projectiles worth $147.5 million to Israel, bypassing congressional approval. It was the second time the Biden administration bypassed congressional approval for weapons transfers to Israel since 10/7. Relatedly, unnamed Israeli officials told Al-Monitor that the U.S. had started to scale down its military support to Israel due to Israel’s failure to discuss its plans for Gaza after the war. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the Biden administration for forcing through the military aid and said Israel would continue with its war “for many more months.” Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) condemned the congressional bypass, saying it was “keeping the American public in the dark.” (AJ, AX, HA, REU 12/29; AJ, AJ, HA, NYT 12/30)
Walla News reported that Qatari officials have told Israel that Hamas is ready to resume negotiations. Hamas officials have continuedly stated that they will not negotiate while under attack. (AJ, AX 12/29)
Israel claimed the Colombian foreign minister Alvaro Leyva had accepted an invitation by its foreign minister Eli Cohen to discuss repairing ties after Colombia recalled its ambassador to Israel and Colombian president Gustavo Petro called Israeli attacks on Gaza “genocidal.” (AJ 12/29)
Berlin police banned a pro-Palestinian demonstration planned for 12/31. (HA 12/29)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians traveling near Nablus and Tulkarm. Israeli forces shot and killed 3 Palestinians after they shot and killed an Israeli soldier and injured 3 Israeli soldiers at the Tunnels checkpoint west of Bethlehem; Hamas took responsibility for the attack. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians, including 2 children during raids in Beita and Deir Nidham. Elsewhere, Israeli forces assaulted 2 Palestinians near Carmel, causing bruises. Israeli forces also demolished 2 homes and a marble factory in Wadi Fukin. 69 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, Dura, Jenin, Kafr Ra’i, Qalqilya, Husan, Nablus, Jericho, and al-Fara’a refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during a late-night raid in Isawiya. In Gaza, telecommunications broke down for the third time, this time due to a lack of fuel. Israeli airstrikes killed at least 19 people in Jabaliya refugee camp, al-Qarara, and al-Maghazi refugee camp. The number of fatalities was likely much higher since the Gaza Ministry of Health was unable to communicate with hospitals and civil defense members in northern Gaza and due to the telecommunications breakdown. Israeli forces continued to raid al-Shifa Hospital, stealing bodies of Palestinians who had not yet been buried. Israel also put al-Ahli Hospital under siege, preventing movement in and out of the hospital. Israel said the bodies of 2 of the Israeli captives were found in a building near al-Shifa Hospital. In South Lebanon, Israel attacked several sites and anti-tank missiles were fired at Israel. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/16; AJ, AP 11/17)
The Gaza Ministry of Health was not able to update the casualty figures due to a collapse in services and communications at hospitals in northern Gaza, leaving the death toll at 11,479, including 4,630 children and 3,130 women, and around 32,000 injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 3,250 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 190 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 47 children. More than 2,730 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals had been killed and 5,431 have injured since 10/7. 51 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.61 million Palestinians, around 70% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israel blockade. As of 11/6, at least 40,000 housing units have been destroyed and 220,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 45% of all housing units. No aid entered Gaza due to UNRWA vehicles running out of fuel. Turkey said that 27 cancer patients from Gaza arrived in Turkey for treatment. The director of the Indonesian Hospital said its facilities were “completely out of service,” with 45 patients still awaiting surgery. The Gaza Ministry of Health said 9 out of 35 hospitals in Gaza were partially functioning while the rest were out of service. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA 11/16)
The Palestinian Prisoners Society said Israel had arrested more than 2,760 Palestinians during raids in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7. (AJ, WAFA 11/16)
The members of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee at the UN said they will not participate in the establishment of a “safe zone” without an agreement of all parties, saying these ‘safe zones’ otherwise put Palestinians at risk. (UNOCHA 11/16)
Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh said he was confident in the resistance’s ability to outlast the Israeli war on Gaza. (AJ 11/16)
The Israeli military claimed to have found a tunnel and weapons at al-Shifa Hospital but refused to allow independent observers access to its findings. Israel had claimed that Hamas had a command-and-control center at the hospital but no longer appeared to make that claim. (AJ, REU, REU 11/16)
PA finance minister Shoukry Bishara sent a letter to Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich demanding that Israel pay the PA the full amount of tax revenue due from October. (HA 11/16)
Israeli interior minister Moshe Arbel informed 2 Palestinians, who he claims are Hamas operatives, that Israel has begun efforts to revoke their Jerusalem residency status. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Israel should stop talks on a prisoner swap, saying Israel should only “talk with fire and brimstone.” (AJ, HA 11/16)
Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi said Jordan will not ratify an agreement with Israel to exchange water for energy due to Israel’s attacks on Gaza. (AJ, HA, REU 11/16)
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Israel must ensure that food, water, and medical care is available at al-Shifa Hospital. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz, urging him to address the rise in settler violence and discussing humanitarian aid to Gaza. Blinken also told ABC News that he has told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel cannot reoccupy Gaza. France called Israeli settler violence a “policy of terror.” (AJ, HA, REU 11/16; AJ, HA, WAFA 11/17)
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Israel was violating the visa waiver agreement with the U.S. by preventing Palestinian Americans from entering the West Bank and flying into Ben-Gurion Airport. (AX, NYT 11/16)
Bloomberg News reported that the EU and U.S. were considering raising a UN peacekeeping force to be deployed in Gaza when a ceasefire is reached. (AJ 11/16)
U.S. senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) called on Israel to “Stop the bombing NOW” in a tweet on X. (AJ, HA 11/16)
The Los Angeles Times editorial board called for a ceasefire. (AJ 11/16)
Protesters from Jewish Voice for Peace blocked traffic on the Bay Bridge in San Francisco, calling for a ceasefire. (AJ, HA, REU 11/16)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers a with military escort shot and injured a Palestinian during a raid in Sarra. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinians traveling near Tuqu’, causing damage. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized 200 olive, grape, and almond trees, water pumps, irrigation pipes, and a water tank in Ein al-Beida. Israeli settlers also assaulted Palestinians during a raid in Susiya. Israeli forces shot and killed 4 Palestinians during raids in Jenin and Qalqilya; during the raid in Jenin, Israeli forces vandalized the memorial of Shireen Abu Akleh and used bulldozers to destroy infrastructure. Israeli forces also shot and injured 19 Palestinians, including at least 1 child, during raids in Jenin, Hebron, Deir Abu Masha’al, Qalqilya, Bethlehem, al-Bireh, and Nablus. Elsewhere, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian Red Crescent medics in Tubas. 45 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in as-Samu, Dahariya, Dura, Beit Umar, Ni’lin, Kafr Ni’ma, Hizma, Jericho, Aida refugee camp, Dheisheh refugee camp, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces blocked entrance to the Haram al-Sharif compound and assaulted worshippers. In Gaza, Israeli attacks killed 298 Palestinians, including 125 children. Israeli forces made incursions and fired tank shells at Palestinian infrastructure near Gaza City. At night, all telecommunications were cut off in Gaza; several humanitarian organizations and media outlets said they were unable to reach their people on the ground. The communications blackout started prior to Israel’s ground invasion of Gaza. Hamas said its military wing had repelled Israeli attacks on Beit Hanun and al-Bureij and from a beach in Rafah. Israel said it assassinated Hamas member Madhat Mubashe. Rockets were fired at Israel; no injuries were reported. In Egypt, explosives hit a medical facility in Taba and an electric plant near Nuweiba, lightly injuring 6 people; it was later reported that the explosives came from the south of the Red Sea. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/27; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, REU 10/28)
The Gaza Ministry of Health said at least 7,326 Palestinians have been killed, including at least 4,000 women and children, and 18,967 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. It is estimated that 1,700 people, including 940 children, were trapped in rubble. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 108 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 30 children. More than 1,967 have been injured. Israeli officials recorded no new fatalities, leaving the Israeli death toll at around 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals; 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. The UN reported that over 1.4 million Palestinians, more than half the population in Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7 and that since 11 p.m. on 10/12 there has been a complete electricity blackout due to the Israeli blockade. As of 10/23, at least 27,781 housing units had been destroyed and 150,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. At least 45% of all housing units have been either destroyed or damaged in Israeli airstrikes. UNRWA said 14 of its staff members have been killed in the last 24 hours, raising the total number of UNRWA staff killed in Israeli attacks to 53. UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said the monitoring regime for the aid trucks that pass into Gaza via the Rafah crossing was too slow. At least 10 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza. (AJ, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 10/27)
Israel indicted 5 Israeli citizens on charges of inciting terrorism or identifying with Hamas. A total of 24 have been indicated on similar charges since 10/7. (HA 10/27)
The Israeli military released a video illustration claiming al-Shifa Hospital has a vast network of underground facilities. The head of the Government Media Office in Gaza, Salama Marouf, called the illustration “false fabricated allegations.” (AJ, AJ, REU 10/27)
Reuters reported that Israel had told the news agency and Agence France-Presse that as Israel ramps up its attacks on Gaza, it cannot guarantee the safety of the 2 agencies’ journalists. 29 journalists have been killed since 10/7, including 25 Palestinians and 1 Lebanese. (AJ, REU 10/27)
UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini defended the data from the Gaza Ministry of Health, saying it has been reliable in the past “5, 6 cycles of conflict in the Gaza Strip.” U.S. president Joe Biden said on 10/25 that he did not have confidence in the data. (AJ, AJ, REU, WAFA 10/27)
Israeli soldiers were filmed singing “Ahmad Tibi is dead,” referring to the Palestinian member of Knesset for the Ta’al party. (HA 10/27)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen, discussing the situation in Gaza. (WAFA 10/27)
The UN General Assembly voted to adopt a non-binding resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian truce between Israel and Hamas and demanding humanitarian aid access in Gaza. 120 countries voted in favor, 45 abstained, and 14 voted against. Tunisia and Iraq explained their abstentions, saying the resolution did not support Palestine strongly enough. Israel’s UN ambassador said the passage of the resolution was “a dark day for the UN and for mankind.” An amendment introduced by Canada and co-sponsored by the U.S., condemning Hamas for “the taking of hostages,” failed as it did not get the 2/3s majority support needed to pass. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/27; AJ, AP, WAFA 10/28)
The Council of the European Union accepted a Spanish proposal for the country to host a peace conference on Middle East peace within 6 months. (AJ, AP 10/27)
French president Emmanuel Macron said France and several other European countries will make a “humanitarian coalition” for Gaza. (AJ 10/27)
The Washington Post reported that the Biden administration was pushing Israel not to undertake a full ground invasion of Gaza. ABC News reported that the U.S. State Department was not aware that Israel would “expand its ground invasion.” U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the U.S. supports humanitarian pauses if captives held by Hamas were released. A U.S. official told Reuters that Qatar is open to reconsidering allowing Hamas to have a presence in the country. (AJ, HA, REU, REU 10/27; AJ 10/28)
New York City police arrested more than 200 people at a mass sit-in at Grand Central Station arranged by Jewish Voice for Peace, which temporarily closed the station. The protesters called for an immediate ceasefire. (HA, WAFA 10/27; AJ, AJ, AP, AP, NYT 10/28)
The U.S. told its citizens in Lebanon that they should leave the country due to the “unpredictable security situation.” (AJ 10/27; AJ, HA 10/28)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian family in their home in the Masafer Yatta area, causing bruises. Israeli settlers also opened fire at Palestinians harvesting olives in Kafr Ni’ma; no injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers opened fire at Palestinian homes in Hebron; no injuries were reported. Israeli settlers, reportedly disguised as soldiers, also attacked Palestinians west of Jericho with stones and clubs, causing injuries and damage. Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian during a funeral procession in Beit Umar, injured 1 other with live ammunition; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at al-Jalamah checkpoint, killing 2 and injuring 2 others. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, injuring 3 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bethlehem, injuring a minor with a baton round. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near Far’un, injuring 1 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians near the separation wall west of Attil. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Bireh, injuring 2 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also demolished 2 agricultural structures in Mughayyir al-Abeed in the Masafer Yatta area. Additionally, Israeli forces fired tear gas near a hospital in Dura, causing tear-gas related injuries. A rocket, either launched from Gaza or an Iron Dome interceptor, hit Baqa ash-Sharqiya, killing 1 Palestinian and injuring 6 others. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians in Silwan after they allegedly fired fireworks at Israeli forces. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians in Isawiya and Ras al-Amud. Elsewhere, Israeli forces arrested 13 Palestinians on suspicion of incitement and supporting Hamas. In Gaza, Israeli naval forces fired shells at a port west of Gaza City and Khan Yunis, damaging the port and fishing boats. Israeli airstrikes also killed hundreds of Palestinians and caused damage, especially to the Rimal, al-Karama, and al-Furqan neighbourhoods and Jabaliya. Gaza economy minister Juad Abu Smallah was reportedly assassinated by Israel. It was reported that white phosphorus bombs were dropped on al-Karama. UNRWA said its headquarters in Gaza was hit by Israeli bombs. Hundreds of rockets were fired at Israel from Gaza. Near Gaza, Israel said it had killed 4 militants at a beach north of Gaza and 2 in Kibbutz Re’im. Militants were also reported to have attacked Mefalsim, causing casualties. In Lebanon, militants fired anti-tank missiles at an Israeli vehicle and Israeli forces attacked militants with a helicopter and artillery. Rockets were also fired toward Israel. In Syria, rockets were launched at the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Israel fired artillery and mortar shells at Syria. (AP 10/7; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/10; AJ, AP, AP, AP, HA, REU 10/11)
Israel claimed to have regained full control of the area around Gaza, saying the bodies of approximately 1,500 Palestinian militants were found in the area. The Gaza Ministry of Health said 830 Palestinians had been killed in Israeli airstrikes and 4,250 wounded since 10/7 as of 5.30 p.m. 22 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 4 children; 332 have been injured. Israeli media reported that as of 9 p.m. more than 1,000 Israelis and foreign nationals had been killed and 2,806 injured since 10/7. The UN said 263,934 Palestinians have been displaced, with 175,486 people sheltering at UN facilities. All but 1 mobile communications tower was destroyed in Israeli strikes. More than 610,000 people in Gaza were disconnected from the water supply due to Israeli actions. The Gaza Power Plant was reported to run out of fuel by noon on 10/11, with electricity currently limited to 3-4 hours per day. (AJ 10/9; AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AP, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/10; AJ, AP, AP, REU 10/11)
The Gaza Ministry of Health called for the opening of a “safe corridor” to allow medical aid as hospitals are overwhelmed. 4 ambulances and 1 hospital in Beit Hanun were targeted by Israeli airstrikes, closing the hospital. PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh said Israel was refusing to allow aid from the West Bank to enter Gaza. (AJ, AJ 10/10; WAFA 10/11)
Israeli military spokesperson Richard Hecht said Israel may not use the same “level of fidelity” in warning civilians before striking homes and apartment buildings. It had been reported that Israel no longer used smaller munitions to “knock” on the roofs of apartment buildings or call building managers before demolishing them with larger bombs. Hecht also called the parliament and ministries in Gaza legitimate targets. Hecht further said Palestinians in Gaza should flee to Egypt via the Rafah crossing, first saying that it is open and later tweeting that he did not know if it was open. Israel bombed the crossing on 10/9 after which it was closed. Israel also hit the crossing today. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the Israeli military would release “all constraints” on its attacks on Gaza and is “transitioning to a full-scale offensive.” The Israeli military said it had dropped hundreds of tons of bombs on Gaza and is emphasizing “damage, not precision.” (AJ 10/9; AJ, AJ, HA, HA, REU, REU 10/10)
The Israeli military began sending planes to Europe to collect reservists that have been called up. More than 300,000 Israeli military reservists were called in to participate in the Israeli assault on Gaza. (REU 10/9; AJ, HA, REU 10/10)
Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Israel would hand out 10,000 rifles to volunteers in Israeli border communities and in Israeli settlements. (AJ, REU 10/10)
A plane carrying U.S. ammunition arrived in Israel. The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier reached the eastern Mediterranean. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticized the U.S. for moving the carrier near Israel, warning of a massacre in Gaza. (AJ, HA, REU 10/10; AP 10/12)
Thousands of Jordanians protested in Amman against the Israeli attacks on Gaza, demanding the Israeli embassy be closed and that Jordan end its peace treaty with Israel. (REU 10/11)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre about the Israeli attack on Gaza. PA envoy to the UN Riyad Mansour wrote a letter to the UN Security Council calling Israeli actions, including intentional starvation of Gaza, “genocidal.” (REU, WAFA 10/10)
The Likud Party said the leaders of the parties in the Israeli government coalition have agreed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can form an emergency unity government. Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman said on 10/8 that he will only join the unity government if the Israeli leadership commits to ending the policy of constraining Hamas and eliminates the organization. (HA, REU 10/10)
U.S. president Joe Biden gave a televised speech calling the Hamas operation on 10/7 “pure, unadulterated evil,” recounting unconfirmed Israeli narratives of militants committing rapes. Biden also compared Hamas to ISIS, attributed the operation to anti-Semitism, rather than resistance, and reiterated his stance in support of Israel, saying Israel has a “duty to respond,” despite the mass civilian casualties in Gaza. Biden further stated that the U.S. is sending ammunition and interceptors for the Iron dome to Israel. Lastly, Biden warned other countries and organizations against getting involved against Israel. Hamas called Biden’s speech deplorable and inflammatory, saying Hamas launched its operation to defend the Palestinian people and put an end to the occupation. Biden also spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu about U.S. assistance. 392 members of the U.S. House of Representatives co-sponsored a resolution in support of Israel, calling the Hamas operation “barbaric.” It is unknown if the resolution will pass, as it is unclear if the acting speaker of the House Patrick McHenry (R-NC) has the authority to bring the resolution to the floor. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA 10/10; FWD, HA, REU, REU 10/11)
U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan said the U.S. was in talks with Egypt and Israel to create a humanitarian corridor for residents of Gaza. (HA, REU 10/10)
The U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken will arrive in Israel on 10/12 for meetings with Israeli leaders. Blinken will also travel to Jordan. UK foreign secretary James Cleverly is also scheduled to arrive in Israel on 10/11. (AJ, HA, REU 10/10; REU 10/11)
U.S. homeland security advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall said the U.S. is working on different options to ensure that all U.S. citizens can leave Israel by air, sea, and land. There are currently no direct flights from Israel to the U.S. Many other countries, including France, Germany, and Canada, said they are planning on offering their citizens flights out of Israel. (AJ, HA 10/10)
President Erdoğan spoke with Russian president Vladimir Putin about measures to halt the Hamas-Israel conflict and deliver humanitarian aid. Erdoğan also said he is having talks with regional leaders to negotiate a halt to the war. Egyptian president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi and Qatari emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani spoke about protecting civilians in Gaza. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU 10/10; AJ, AJ 10/11)
Houthi leader Abdel Malek al-Houthi said that if the U.S. intervened in the attack on Gaza it would respond with drones and missiles. (AJ, HA 10/10)
Berlin police banned pro-Palestinian demonstrations planned for 10/11, saying expressions of solidarity with Palestine pose a threat to public order. Australian police said a planned pro-Palestinian protest scheduled for 10/15 will be an unauthorized activity. (HA 10/10; REU 10/11)
UK home secretary Suella Braverman sent a letter to English and Welsh police, saying that waiving Palestinian flags may in some instances be illegal in cases where it is “intended to glorify acts of terrorism.” (AJ 10/10)
EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borell said he had invited PA and Israeli foreign ministers Riyad al-Maliki and Eli Cohen to an EU foreign ministers meeting to discuss the situation in Palestine and Israel. Borell also said that Israel must adhere to international law, saying Israel violates the law by imposing a total blockade on Gaza. Borell further said that the “overwhelming majority” of EU states are against cutting aid to Palestinians, as suggested by some EU officials. (AJ, HA, REU 10/10)
The UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Turk said the total siege of Gaza imposed by Israel was illegal under international law as it deprives civilians of goods essential to their survival. Turk also said Israeli airstrikes had struck residential and UN buildings as well as UN schools. (AJ, REU 10/10)
The UN Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel said that there was clear evidence that war crimes had been committed in Israel and Gaza. (AJ, UN, WAFA 10/10)
The office of the ICC prosecutor said the court mandate to investigate “the situation in the State of Palestine” extends to the current attacks. (REU 10/10)
Sweden and Denmark suspended aid to Palestinians. (AJ, HA, REU 10/10)
The UAE donated $20 million in aid to Palestinians via UNRWA. (AJ 10/10)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized a concrete mixer near Qarawat Bani Hassan. 17 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ya’bad, Nablus, Bethlehem, Aida refugee camp, Dura, and Bayt Rima; 4 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces using live ammunition during the raid in Ya’bad. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 5 Palestinian fishermen and seized their 2 boats. (PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/28; PCHR 8/31; UNOCHA 9/11)
Human Rights Watch released a report saying that Israel has killed at least 34 Palestinian children in 2023. The report criticized Israel for the killings and the international community for not holding Israel accountable, including by adding Israel to the UN list of countries that have committed grave violations against children during armed conflict. (HRW, WAFA 8/28)
Libyan prime minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh visited the Palestinian embassy, promising that Libya would not normalize relations with Israel after he suspended foreign minister Najla Mangoush in the aftermath of Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen saying that the 2 had held a meeting in Rome. (HA 8/28)
Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smtorich said Israel would not agree to any gestures toward Palestinians as part of a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia. Smotrich also attacked the U.S. for its criticism of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s pro-apartheid comments on 8/23, calling the U.S. hypocritical for preaching human rights to Israel considering “how they operated in Afghanistan and Iraq.” (HA, MEE 8/28)
Israel’s Channel 13 reported that a delegation of Palestinian officials will travel to Saudi Arabia to discuss concessions Israel will have to make to Palestinians in order to convince Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel. (TOI 8/28)
Syria said that Israeli airstrikes had put Aleppo Airport out of service. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU 8/28; REU 8/29)
The spokesperson for Papua New Guinean prime minister James Marape told Reuters that Marape will visit Israel next week and open an embassy to Israel in Jerusalem. (TOI 8/27; AJ, REU 8/28)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort marched near Fawwar refugee camp and Dura, throwing stones at Palestinian vehicles. Israeli forces closed the entrances to the camp and village to facilitate the march. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian shepherds in Khirbet Makhul. 40 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Fawwar refugee camp, Hebron, Bethlehem, Shu’fat, Biddu, Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, Jenin, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family was forced to demolish their own home in Sur Baher. In Gaza, an explosion at a Hamas military site in Dayr al-Balah killed 1 member of the Qassem Brigades and injured 1 other. Hamas called the explosion an accident. (AP, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/24; PCHR 8/31; UNOCHA 9/11)
Representatives from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Finland, Belgium, Sweden, Canada, and Norway toured Ras al-Tin and Burqa, condemning the demolition of an EU-funded school in Ein Samia and settler violence in the area. (WAFA 8/24)
The Israeli High Court of Justice approved the punitive demolition of the family home of a 13-year-old Palestinian who allegedly stabbed an Israeli police officer at the Shu’fat checkpoint on 2/13. The Palestinian child, whose trial is ongoing, was charged with murder as an Israeli settler opened fire at the child but instead shot and killed the police officer. The court rejected the argument that the family’s home should not be demolished due to the child’s age, saying the punitive demolition would deter other children from attacking Israeli forces. (HA 8/24; AP 8/31)
PA finance minister Shukri Bishara said that the Levine case against the PA and PLO had been dropped in a U.S. court. The plaintiff sought damages from the PA and PLO for $1 billion, claiming the PA and PLO were responsible for an attack that took place in Jerusalem in 2014. (WAFA 8/24)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas chaired the 11th session of the Fatah Revolutionary Council in Ramallah. (WAFA, WAFA 8/24)
Sierra Leonean president Julius Maada Bio issued a statement saying his country will open an embassy to Israel in Jerusalem. The announcement followed a phone conversation between Maada Bio and Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen. (JP, TOI 8/25)
The Guardian reported that in a 43-page amicus brief sent to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July the UK government opposed the ICJ review of the legality of the Israeli occupation. The UK opinion raised 4 main arguments against the review, saying that the issue is a “bilateral dispute,” that the court is not equipped to examine the issue, that the review would conflict with existing agreements, and that the review is not appropriate as it asks the court to “assume unlawful conduct on part of Israel.” (AN, GDN 8/24)
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said in a report that Israel had carried out 25 attacks on Syria in 2023, including 18 air attacks and 7 ground-to-ground attacks, hitting 60 targets and killing 61 people. (HA 8/24)
The BRICS group of China, Russia, Brazil, India, and South Africa invited Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the UAE to join the group. (NYT 8/23; AP, AJ, MEE, REU 8/24; AJ, NYT, REU 8/25; AJ 8/28)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort raided Deir Dibwan, setting fire to trees; 1 Palestinian was injured by live ammunition fired by Israeli forces during the raid. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Beitin and Hebron. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a raid in Nablus. Israeli forces also shot a 5-year-old Palestinian boy in the eye with a rubber-coated bullet in Bizarya; the boy’s eye was later removed at a hospital. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 4 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, causing tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces seized 1 excavator in Dahariya. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Askar refugee camp, Bethlehem, Abu Nuyaim, Beit Umar, Dura, and Tulkarm; 2 Palestinians were injured by Israeli live ammunition during the raid in Askar refugee camp. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/23; WAFA, WAFA 6/24; HA 6/27; PCHR 7/6; UNOCHA 7/8)
The Shin Bet said it had arrested 3 Israeli settlers following several Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian towns and villages in the past week. (AP 6/23)
Representatives from 20 EU countries visited Turmus ‘Ayya to express condolences to the victims of the Israeli settler attack on 6/21. In a statement the countries said as the occupier Israel is obligated to protect Palestinians and prosecute the violent settlers. (WAFA 6/23; HA 6/24)
Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir told Israeli settlers at the partly resettled Evyatar settlement outpost that the settlers should “[r]un to the hilltops” and build settlements “in all the hills around.” Ben-Gvir also called for the Israeli military to “launch a military operation, take down buildings and eliminate terrorists. Not just one or two, but dozens and hundreds and if needed, thousands.” Later on 6/25, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said such calls to grab land are “unacceptable to me.” (HA, WAFA, WAFA 6/23; WAFA 6/24; CNN 6/25)
U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke with his Israeli counterpart Tzachi Hanegbi, expressing concern about Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian villages. Several Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives, including pro-Israel representatives, condemned the settler attacks, as did the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee. Morocco also officially canceled the second summit of the normalization organization the Negev Forum, citing “uncomfortable diplomatic relations.” The summit, scheduled to be held in Rabat, has been postponed since March. (HA, REU 6/23; HA, HA 6/24; HA, WAFA, WAFA 6/25)
U.S. national security spokesperson John Kirby said that U.S. officials had met with victims of the Israeli settler attacks on Turmus ‘Ayya on 6/21 and that U.S. citizens were among the victims. (AJ 6/23)
UN human rights commissioner Volker Türk criticized the Israeli usage of “advanced weapons” in the West Bank this week, saying it was adding to volatility of the situation. For the first time since the Second Intifada, Israel used drones and helicopters to attack Palestinians in the West Bank. (AJ, WAFA 6/23)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian woman, claiming she had stabbed and injured 1 settler near Beit Umar. Israeli forces also assaulted 1 Palestinian after forcing him to stop his vehicle near Jericho. 10 were arrested during late-night raids in al-Bireh, Bayt Rima, Dura, Bethlehem, Aida refugee camp, Tulkarm, and Asira. In East Jerusalem, 2 were arrested during raids. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 4 Palestinian fishermen and seized their boats. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 4/17; WAFA 4/18; UNOCHA 4/20; PCHR 4/27)
The Israeli Border Control Administration denied entry to a Palestinian German teenager at Ben Gurion International Airport. She said she was verbally abused and threatened with violence before she was returned on a plane to Germany after being detained for 32 hours. The German ambassador to Israel Steffen Seibert condemned the incident. (HA 4/27)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Jeddah for a visit where he will be meeting with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman on 4/18. Abbas was traveling with PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh and the head of the PA intelligence service Majed Faraj. (MEMO 4/16; ALM, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA 4/17; AJ 4/18)
Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh led a delegation of Hamas officials to Riyadh. The group was expected to meet with Saudi officials despite the visit being unofficial. (MEE, MEMO 4/16; HA, MEE 4/17)
It was reported that the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities instructed the PA to investigate the incarceration of 2 Israelis held by Hamas in Gaza, saying that both suffer from psychiatric problems, and to present its actions to the committee within 6 months. (HA 4/17)
Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang spoke to PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki and Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen in separate calls, informing them that China is ready to support the resumption of peace talks. Qin also expressed concern over the heightened tension between Israelis and Palestinians. (WAFA 4/17; AP, GDN, HA, MEE 4/18)
The EU, France, and Spain donated $29 million for payments to vulnerable families in Palestine through the National Cash Transfer Program. (WAFA 4/17)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinians in Fasayil, injuring 1. Israeli forces raided Nablus and took measurements for a punitive demolition of a home belonging to the family of a Palestinian killed during an Israeli raid on Jenin on 3/7. Israeli forces also issued 15 stop-work orders for structures in al-Jiftlik and demolition orders for 4 homes and 1 agricultural structure in Idhna. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided Qaddura refugee camp, firing tear gas near the Palestine Medical Complex, leading to tear-gas related injuries among patients. 26 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Khirbet Abu Falah, Qaddura refugee camp, Eizariya, ‘Anata, ad-Doha, al-Walaja, Bethlehem, Beit Umar, Dura, Fawwar refugee camp, Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, Ein as-Sultan, Nablus, ‘Askar refugee camp, and Ya’bad. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/22; PCHR 3/23; UNOCHA 3/31)
The Israeli Land Authority published tenders for construction of 940 settlement units in the West Bank settlements Efrat and Beitar Illit and 89 settlement units in the Gilo settlement in East Jerusalem. (AP, PCN, WAFA 3/24; WAFA 3/25; MEMO 3/26; WAFA 3/27)
In Syria, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes on Aleppo International Airport for the second time this month, causing damage. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, REU 3/22)
Haaretz reported that the Israeli military had conducted a psychological warfare operation against Israelis during the 2021 Operation Guardian of the Wall to garner support among the Israeli public for the Israeli military’s attacks on Gaza. The military used the social media platforms Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to upload propaganda from fake profiles. The campaign was launched 2 days into Israel assault on Gaza, as Israeli military personnel feared they were losing public support. (AP, HA 3/22)
The Jordanian parliament voted to recommend expelling the Israeli ambassador to the country in protest over Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich’s comments on 3/19 in Paris that the Palestinian people do not exist while standing in front of a map depicting Greater Israel, including all of Palestinian and Jordan. (AX, WAFA 3/20; AJ, WAFA 3/22)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man near Fawwar refugee camp, saying he had attempted to stab a soldier. Israeli forces issued 2 demolition orders for homes in al-Jalama and issued stop-work notices for 8 homes and 1 agricultural structure in Duma. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron, Dura, Bani Na’im, Bethlehem, Kafr Ni’ma, and Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. (AP, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/9; PCHR 2/16; UNOCHA 2/21)
The Palestinian International Cooperation Agency deployed 73 emergency response personnel to Syria and Turkey to help search for survivors of the earthquakes on 2/6 that have killed more than 20,000 people. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 2/9)
Egyptian officials said they had been having meetings with leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Cairo this week after having met with Israeli officials earlier. The meetings were said to be efforts to prevent an escalation of violence during the month of Ramadan. (REU 2/9)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Huwwara, causing damage. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Umm Safa, al-Mughayyir, Beit Duqqu, Hebron, Dura, and Beit Umar. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 1 Palestinian citizen of Israel was shot and killed in Baqa al-Gharbiyye, marking the 111th murder in the Palestinian community in Israel in 2022. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/29; HA, WAFA 12/30; PCHR 1/5; UNOCHA 1/16)
The Israeli military said it had filed indictments against 2 Druze soldiers who threw an explosive device at a Palestinian home near Bethlehem in November. (AJ, REU 12/29; AN, AP 12/30)
Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in as the new prime minister of Israel after winning the election on 11/1. Eli Cohen of the Likud Party was appointed foreign minister, Yoav Gallant of Likud defense minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir of Otzma Yehudit national security minister, and Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionism Party as finance minister and a minister at the defense ministry in charge of the administration of the West Bank. (HA, MEE 12/28; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AP, AX, AX, F24, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, REU, REU, SKY, TOI, WAFA 12/29; ALM, AX, WAFA 12/30 AP 1/2)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to 2 commercial structures in al-Zawiya, causing damage. Israeli forces demolished 2 houses in Jericho. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Yatta, Dura, Bethlehem, Tuqu’, Bruqin, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound, closing it off to Muslim worshippers. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Sur Bahir. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/19; PCHR, UNOCHA 12/22)
Israeli police said that a Palestinian man had confessed to intentionally ramming an Israeli in Tel Aviv on 12/8. The Palestinian man’s lawyer said that the man denies ramming the Israeli intentionally and said that his confession was made under threats and violence by Shin Bet officers. (HA 12/19)
Hamas Political Bureau deputy chief Khalil al-Hayya met with UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process Tor Wennesland in Gaza. (MEMO 12/20)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor during a late-night raid in Beitunia and injured 1 other. Israel said that the 2 were in a vehicle that did not stop when they signaled it to do so and that they were reviewing the incident; the man driving the car was released 2 days later. Israeli forces also demolished 2 Palestinian homes in Tarqumiyah and 3 homes in Elmenia near Bethlehem. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished walls and razed 100s of olive trees in Qarawat Bani Hassan. Israeli forces also assaulted Palestinians harvesting olives near Dura, injuring 3, including 2 children. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in ‘Anata, Halhul, and Beitunia. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in the Old City. (AJ, AP, HA, JP, MEE, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/14; MDW, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/15; BBC 11/16; PCHR 11/17; UNOCHA 11/25; HA 11/27)
The U.S. told Israel that the FBI will open an investigation into the killing of the Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh on 5/11. Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz said that Israel would not cooperate and “will not allow interference in Israel’s internal affairs.” The PA applauded the decision by the U.S. Justice Department. U.S. representative André Carson (D-IN) also introduced the Justice for Shireen Act demanding accountability for the killing of Abu Akleh. (AJ, AX, HA, MEE 11/14; AJ, F24, GDN, HA, HA, MDW, WAFA, WAFA 11/15; ALM, AX, HA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 11/16)
UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini said the agency needs $50-$80 million to keep its services running through the end of the year and will need a capital investment of $200 million over the next 3 years to restore its assets. (AJ 11/14; WAFA 11/15)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinian workers trying to enter Israel at al-Dhariyya checkpoint. Israeli forces also demolished 1 house in Umm Qassa in the Masafer Yatta area, displacing 10, and 1 house and a rainwater collection pond in Birin. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Deir Abu Mash’al, Birzeit, Nur Shams refugee camp, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Dura. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/25; PCHR 7/28; UNOCHA 8/5)
Lawyers from the Palestinian Bar Association protested in Ramallah against the PA’s “rule by decree.” (AJ, AN, TOI 7/25)
Israeli police and the Shin Bet claimed to have arrested 9 Palestinians who were suspected of recruiting Palestinians to join Hamas in East Jerusalem. (HA 7/25)
Iran said that it will keep surveillance cameras from the International Atomic Energy Agency turned off until the U.S. reenters the Iran Nuclear deal. (HA 7/25)
In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler shot and killed 1 Palestinian man after he had stabbed and injured 1 other Israeli settler with a screwdriver in a bus near the Efrat settlement south of Bethlehem. Israeli settlers threw an incendiary device at 1 Palestinian minor in Jinba, causing burns to his face and hands. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian herder near Fasayil, throwing stones and releasing a dog on him, causing injuries. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians and injured 14 others during a daytime arrest raid in Jenin refugee camp. Israel said that the arrest raid was related to the attack on 3/29 in Bnei Brak in which 5 were killed; 31 were arrested during the raid. PA president Mahmoud Abbas condemned the raid, saying Israel wants to escalate tensions ahead of the start of Ramadan. During the raid, Palestinian patients at a nearby hospital suffered tear-gas related injuries. 24 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Aida refugee camp, Bayt Jala, Husan, al-Ubeidiya, Wadi Abu Freiha, Hebron, al-Ramadin, Dura, Qalandia refugee camp, al-Zawiya, Salem, al-Far‘a refugee camp, Jenin, Ya‘bad, Nabi Elias, and Azzun. In East Jerusalem, far-right Israeli MK Itamar Ben-Gvir toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. The Joint List party and PA president Mahmoud Abbas criticized the Israeli government for allowing Ben-Gvir to tour the compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmlands east of Abasan; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/31; WAFA 4/1; HA 4/2; MEMO 4/5; PCHR 4/7; UNOCHA 4/10)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces sealed off parts of the Old City in Hebron and forced Palestinian shops to close. Israeli forces also delivered a stop-work order for 2 houses in Kafr ad-Dik. 16 Palestinians were arrested, including 15 during late-night raids in Dura, al-Arroub refugee camp, Aqraba, Beita, Tulkarm, Qabatiya, and Sa‘ir, and 1 was arrested at the Container checkpoint near Bethlehem; Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian protesting the raid in Aqraba, claiming he had opened fire on the Israeli soldiers. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, 3 Palestinians were arrested in the vicinity of the Gaza fence. (MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/17; MEMO 3/18; PCHR 3/24; UNOCHA 3/25)
Haaretz reported that Israel is allowing Israelis to do their national service through pro-settler organizations that police settlement outposts to protect Israeli settlers in the West Bank. The Israelis doing their service in settlement outposts have been reported to prevent Palestinians from cultivating their nearby lands. (HA 3/17)
Jewish Currents and the Guardian published a memo from top-level Anti-Defamation League (ADL) staff to the organization’s CEO Jonathan Greenblatt from June 2020, which recommended that the ADL ends its police exchange program between the U.S. and Israel. The memo said that the program was “highly controversial” and that the trips to Israel could lead to police misconduct in the U.S. (GDN, JC, 3/17)
In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler was injured in a stabbing incident in Hizma; Israel claimed the man was stabbed by a Palestinian; 1 Palestinian man was arrested on 3/3 for the stabbing and for a different stabbing of an Israeli settler on 3/3. Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and Israeli soldiers near the Homesh settlement outpost, throwing stones at Palestinian cars and assaulting Israeli soldiers; 8 Israeli settlers were arrested. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian farmers near Kisan, threatening Palestinians picking gundelia plants in Khirbat Makhul and forcing them to leave. Israeli forces violently dispersed the funeral procession for 1 Palestinian killed by Israeli forces on 3/1 in al-Arroub refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also fired a tear gas canister into a schoolyard in Tell, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 3 houses in al-Juwaya. Israeli forces also demolished 10 commercial structures in Hizma, affecting 13 Palestinian families. 37 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silat al-Harithiya, Beita, Tell, Qalqilya, Husan, Dura, and Fawwar refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces closed off Sheikh Jarrah to Palestinian visitors to facilitate a settler rally. Israeli forces also demolished 1 commercial structure in Bayt Hanina. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/2; HA, MEMO, PCHR 3/3; UNOCHA 3/11)
The PA closed the Christian organization Beit Al Liqa in Bethlehem for a week while it probed an event at the organization where prominent Israeli settler and former MK Yehuda Glick was present. Beit Al Liqa claimed that it was not aware of who Yehuda Glick was when he participated in the event and that he did not introduce himself to the organizers. (MEMO 3/3)
German chancellor Olaf Scholz met with Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett in Jerusalem, discussing the Iran nuclear deal and Russia’s war in Ukraine. Prime Minister Bennett said that the 2 had agreed to a new strategic partnership, which Bennett called a “big upgrade” in the 2 countries’ relations. Chancellor Scholz was also scheduled to meet with PA and Jordanian representatives in the West Bank and Jordan, but cut his visit to the region short. (AP, HA, HA, REU 3/2)
The Jewish Agency said that that up to 10,000 Ukrainian immigrants could arrive in Israel to seek Israeli citizenship based on their Jewish heritage. The Jewish Agency said that 5,000 Ukrainians had contacted the agency since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 2/24. 30,000 Ukrainian Jews immigrated to Israel between 2014 and 2018 after Russia annexed Crimea and fomented insurgencies in eastern Ukraine. The World Zionist Organization said on 2/27 that it wants to erect 1,000 portable structures for Ukrainian immigrants in the West Bank, the Golan Heights, and Israel. (HA 2/27; HA 3/2; AJ, MEMO 3/4; +972 3/22; HA 3/27)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers let Palestinian-owned cattle out of their pen near Bidya, leading to the damage of crops. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting a roadblock between Fawwar refugee camp and Dura, injuring 1 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also demolished 5 residential structures and 9 agricultural structures in Ibziq. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids near Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 healthcare center in Jabel Mukaber and parts of a home in Bayt Hanina. 4 Palestinians were arrested during house raids in Silwan and Jabel Mukaber. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. (MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/4; MEMO 1/5; PCHR 1/6)
1 Palestinian prisoner agreed to end his 141-day-long hunger strike after Israel said it would end his administrative detention on 26 February. (AJ, AP, MEE, MEMO, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/4; ALM, MEMO 1/5)
There were reports that Egypt was in the process of freeing and deporting Palestinian activist Ramy Shaath, who has been imprisoned by Egypt since June 2019 on charges related to his alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. Shaath is the son for former PA foreign minister Nabil Shaath. (AJ, HA, MEMO 1/4)
Members of the Fatah Revolutionary Council concluded 2 days of meetings. There were no significant statements after the meetings. (WAFA 1/3; WAFA, WAFA 1/5)
Israel said it had shot down a surveillance drone allegedly operated by Hezbollah crossing from Lebanon. (HA 1/4)
Unknown perpetrators vandalized and stole items from UNIFIL vehicles in southern Lebanon. (AP 1/5; MEMO 1/7)
More than 20 artists responded to a Palestinian-led call for boycott of the Sydney Festival over its sponsorship deal with the Israeli embassy, providing $14,250. The call to boycott was made on 12/22 by the Palestinian Justice Movement Sydney. (GDN, MEMO 1/4; HA 1/6; WAFA 1/8; WAFA 1/9)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shot and injured 2 Palestinians and injured 5 others with stones near Khalat al-Daba; 3 cars were also damaged. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beit Ur al-Tahta, al-Bireh, Jenin, Bethlehem, Husan, Dura, and Fawwar refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the home of 1 Palestinian prisoner in Wadi al-Juz and ordered its occupants to demolish it; municipality workers demolished parts of the inside of the home before leaving. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 11/10; HA, PCHR, WAFA 11/11)
PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh told reporters during a press conference in Ramallah that if Israel does not embrace a 2-state solution, it will result in a 1-state reality of “apartheid.” Prime Minister Shtayyeh reiterated his charge against Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, accusing him of a 3-no mantra: no to meeting PA president Abbas, no to peace negotiations, and no to a Palestinian state. (AP, HA 11/10)
Palestinian politician, nephew of Yasir Arafat, and former chairman of the Arafat Foundation Nasser al-Kidwa charged PA president Mahmoud Abbas with destroying the Arafat Foundation in an advance statement for the anniversary of Arafat’s death. Al-Kidwa said that President Abbas is destroying the foundation by dismissing its board and canceling its independence from the PA. (MEMO 11/11)
Israel claimed to have new evidence against the 6 Palestinian rights organizations recently deemed terrorist organizations by the state, based on a plea deal from a Spanish citizen who worked for Health Work Committee, which is not 1 of the 6 rights organizations in question. According to the indictment, some money raised by the woman was transferred to the PFLP without her knowledge. The woman, however, only said that she had suspected the organization acted on behalf of the PFLP. (AP, HA, JP, TOI 11/10; +972, MEE 11/11)
Israel, the U.S., Bahrain, and the UAE participated in a joint military drill in the Red Sea. The naval drill is scheduled to last for 5 days. (AJ, AP, HA, MEMO 11/11)
6 progressive-leaning members of U.S. congress, including Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Mondaire Jones (D-NY), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Barbara Lee (D-CT), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), and Mark Pocan (D-MN) met with Israel’s prime minister Naftali Bennett during a J Street-sponsored trip to Israel and Palestine. Representatives Bowman and Pocan also visited Hebron and Susiya with Palestinian activist Nasser Nawajah and the executive director of Breaking the Silence Avner Gvaryahu. A bipartisan group of House representatives and senators led by Chris Coons (D-DE) also met with Prime Minister Bennett and PA prime minister Shtayyeh. Senator Coons said the group had asked Israel to provide more evidence against the 6 Palestinian rights organizations (see above). Members of the Democratic Socialists of America, of which Bowman is a member, debated whether to expel Bowman due to his participation in the meeting with Naftali Bennett and his association with J Street. In the end, the Democratic Socialists of America did not expel Bowman but said that it expected to see significant movement from him on Palestine if it was to endorse him for the 2022 elections. (HA, TOI, WAFA 11/10; HA, MEMO 11/11; FOX, HA, MDW 12/1; HA 12/3)
The U.S. Biden administration reverted to the voting pattern of the Obama administration on UNGA resolutions pertaining to UNRWA. The U.S., Cameroon, Canada, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, and Uruguay abstained on 1 resolution in support of Palestinian refugees’ right of return, while Israel was the only country that voted against. The U.S. and Israel were the only 2 countries to vote against a resolution calling for Israel to end its occupation of the Golan Heights. The U.S., Canada, Hungary, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, and Israel also voted against a resolution condemning Israeli settlement activity and evictions in East Jerusalem. (MEMO, WAFA 11/10; FOX, JNS, JP 11/11)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers smashed the windshields of Palestinian-owned cars in Hebron. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in the Old City of Hebron, hitting 1 journalist with a concussion bomb. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at a checkpoint near Jenin, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet. Protests in support of Palestinian prisoners were also held in al-Arroub refugee camp, Dura, al-Khader, and Bethlehem, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 5 Palestinians were arrested—including 1 relative of 1 of the prisoners who escaped from Gilboa prison on 9/6—during late-night raids in Arrabah, Qalandia, Dheisheh refugee camp, Abu Njeim, and Dura. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested at the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/9; JP, WAFA 9/10; PCHR 9/16)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized 1 excavator and 1 4x4 vehicle in Dura. 10 Palestinians were arrested, including 8 during late-night raids in and around Sa‘ir and Bethlehem, and 2 were arrested at a checkpoint near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished parts of al-Yusufiya cemetery near the Old City. 1 Palestinian family demolished parts of their own home in Bayt Hanina. In Gaza, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian farmer working his land east of Juhor ad-Dik near the Gaza fence. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 2 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/5; PCHR 9/9)
The Israeli government asked the Israeli supreme court for a 6-month extension on presenting a position on the eviction of Palestinians from Khan al-Ahmar. (HA 9/5; HA, MEMO 9/6)
14 members of the PA security forces were charged by the PA for the killing of PA critic Nizar Banat on 6/24. (MEMO, NYT, WAFA 9/6; MEE 9/7)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 1 house in Harmala, 1 house in Bayt Ta‘mar, and 3 agricultural structures in Duma. 4 Palestinian children were arrested during late-night raids in Bethlehem. 11 others were arrested, including 9 during raids in and around Bayt Rima, Kobar, Jenin, Jaba‘, Bethlehem, Bayt Jala, Halhul, and Dura, and 2 were arrested at checkpoints in Bethlehem and Ya‘bad. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the Muslim Girls Secondary School in Wadi al-Juz and arrested 2 employees, including the principal of the school. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters east of Rafah, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet and others with tear gas. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/1; MEE, MEMO, PCHR, WAFA 9/2)
Israel said it would expand the Gaza fishing zone to 15 nautical miles at its largest, increase the number of merchant permits for Palestinians in Gaza from 5,000 to 7,000, and provide 175 million cubic feet of fresh water. (HA 8/31; ALM, ALM, AP, MEE, MEMO 9/1)
1 Palestinian prisoner in administrative detention ended his 33-day hunger strike after the Israeli prison service promised not to extend his detention beyond 2/14/2022. (WAFA 9/1)
Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid said that reopening the U.S. consulate to Palestinians in Jerusalem is a “bad idea,” saying it would weaken the Israeli government coalition and send the “wrong message.” Israeli and U.S. government sources have told Haaretz that the U.S. is moving slowly on reopening the consulate because of the potential ramifications it could have on Israel’s government coalition. Foreign Minister Lapid also criticized the way the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan. The spokesperson of Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett also denied reports that Bennett and PA president Mahmoud Abbas would meet. (AJ, ALM, GDN, HA, HA, MEE, REU 9/1; MEMO 9/2; ALM 9/7)
Haaretz reported that Israel’s public security minister Omer Bar-Lev had ordered the Israeli police to stop its policy of confiscating Palestinian flags during protests except in exceptional circumstances. (HA 9/1)
The U.S. Central Command announced that it had taken over the responsibilities of Israel from the U.S. European Command. The move, welcomed by Israel, was seen as an effort to strengthen the normalization deals between Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain as it allows for easier coordination of military exercises arranged by the U.S. (JINSA 9/2; Defense News, Defense News 9/7)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also leveled agricultural land near Bethlehem. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Shufa, Dheisheh refugee camp, al-Khader, Beit Fajjar, ‘Anata, and Dura. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a house raid in al-Tur. In West Jerusalem, 5 Jewish Israelis attacked 1 Palestinian man, stabbing and beating him while he was on his way home after work. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 8/19; MEMO, MEMO 8/20; PCHR 8/26; TOI 8/29)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke to South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, thanking him for his support of Palestine. South Africa has been 1 of the most vocal opponents of the African Union decision to readmit Israel as an observer state on 7/22. (WAFA 8/19)
PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with UN special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland in Ramallah. Prime Minister Shtayyeh stressed that all aid to Palestine must go through the PA. Later, Qatar announced that an agreement to transfer Qatari aid to Palestinian families had been made and that the process does not involve the PA. The agreement that will remain in effect until the end of 2021 will see some 100,000 Palestinian families in Gaza receiving a monthly stipend of $100 from Qatar, which will be transferred to banks in Gaza via a UN bank account in New York. The UN World Food Programme provides ATM cards to the Palestinians in Gaza for the aid and Israel will approve the list of Palestinian families eligible. Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz said a separate mechanism would be set up for Palestinians in the West Bank where the PA will distribute funds. Haaretz sources said that part of the reason the PA was circumvented in the process of providing aid to Gaza was due to the possible legal procedures against the PA if aid money was provided to people affiliated with Hamas. Hamas later praised the agreement. (HA 8/17; AJ, ALM, AP, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 8/19; AJ, HA, JP, MEE, MEMO 8/20)
Israel’s foreign and alternate prime minister, Yair Lapid, told Israeli Channel 11 that there will not be a 2-state solution during the current government. Foreign Minister Lapid said that a 2-state solution is his preferred outcome, but that there is not any agreement for it within the current government. (JP 8/20)
Israeli forces used Lebanese air space to attack areas surrounding Damascus and Homs in Syria, allegedly killing 8, including 4 civilians. Lebanese defense minister Zeina Akar condemned Israel for violating its air space and flying at low altitudes. (AJ, AP, HA, TOI 8/19; MEE 8/20)
A shipment of Iranian fuel embarked toward Lebanon after a group of Shiite businessmen with help from Hezbollah bought the fuel. Lebanon has suffered a severe fuel shortage in recent months as its economy continues to deteriorate. Lebanese president Michel Aoun said that the U.S. will help Lebanon with its fuel shortage by providing electricity through Egyptian natural gas via Jordan and Syria. (AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, REU, REU 8/19; HA, MEMO 8/20)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished stone fencing and a water well, uprooted olive and grape trees, razed 10 dunams (2.5 acres) of land in Qusra, and handed demolition orders for 2 agricultural structures and 1 stop-work order for a house in ‘Azzun. Israeli forces also set up mobile homes in Hebron. 1 Palestinian was arrested after allegedly opening fire at Israeli forces at the Qalandia checkpoint; 1 Israeli soldier was said to be lightly injured. 9 others were arrested, including 7 during late-night raids in Beit Fajjar, Sur Baher, Dura, Aqraba, and Hebron, 1 was arrested at a checkpoint near Bethlehem and 1 during a raid in Biddu, were 1 car was also seized. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during house raids in al-Tur. Off the coast of Gaza, Israel naval forces also opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 1.5 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at the Gaza fence north of Beit Hanun; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/13; HA 7/14; PCHR 7/15)
A survey conducted between 6/28-7/1 on 800 Jewish-American voters by the Jewish Electorate Institute showed that 25% of the respondents said that Israel is an apartheid state and 34% said that “Israel’s treatment of Palestinians is similar to racism in the U.S.” 22% agreed that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians. 20% of the respondents under 40 believed that Israel does not have right to exist and 38% of that group agreed with the statement that Israel is an apartheid state. (MEE, TOI 7/13; JNS, MDW, MEMO 7/14; JTA, TOI 7/15 JP, TOI 7/16)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Hebron, leading to clashes; 1 Palestinian minor was shot in the head with a rubber-coated bullet, leading him to lose an eye. A video of the incident showed the minor standing in a store with his cousin when an Israeli soldier shot him in his head. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Dura, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Jenin; during a raid in Nablus, Israeli forces confiscated 4,000 NIS ($1,200). In East Jerusalem, Israeli police violently dispersed hundreds of Palestinians protesting the evictions of Palestinians in Shaykh Jarrah, injuring 9, including 1 Jewish-Israeli member of Knesset from the Joint Arab List Ofer Cassif, who was beaten by Israeli police dispersing the protest; 4 others sustained injuries from beatings and 4 were hit by rubber-coated bullets. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian shepherds east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/9; HA 4/11; TOI 4/12; PCHR 4/15)
In a letter to the Conservative Friends of Israel, UK prime minister Boris Johnson said that his government opposes the ICC investigation into war crimes committed in the occupied Palestinian territory, saying the ICC does not have jurisdiction over the territory and that the decision to investigate “gives the impression of being a prejudicial attack” on Israel. The PA said the letter to the Conservative Friends of Israel marked a “low point in UK-Palestine relations and undermines the UK’s credibility on the international stage.” Prime Minister Johnson later clarified during a session at the UK parliament that his government believes in the independence of the ICC. (TOI, WAFA 4/14; GDN, WAFA 4/15; WAFA 4/20)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint near Bethlehem, alleging that he tried to stab Israeli soldiers; no Israeli soldier was injured. Israeli forces also forced 5 Palestinian families to leave their homes during Israeli military drills in Masafer Yatta. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided Bayt Umar, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home near Dura to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Qabatiya, Nablus, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the house of the Silwan football club chairman and the club’s training ground, seizing files and arresting the chairman. Israeli forces also raided a school in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Bayt Hanun; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, MEE, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/31; PCHR 2/4)
Qatar announced it will give Gaza a $360 million grant to be “used to pay employee salaries, provide financial aid to families in need and operate power stations” during 2021. (AP, HA 1/31)
The Israeli government extended the national lockdown until 7 a.m. on 2/5 and said Ben-Gurion airport will remain closed until 2/8. (HA, REU 1/31; JP 2/4)
In the West Bank, around 20 Israeli settlers attacked Kisan, throwing stones at Palestinian-owned homes, causing damage. Israeli forces razed Palestinian-owned agricultural lands near Hebron and uprooted olive trees near Dura. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians during raids in Nablus and al-Bireh; 1 Palestinian was shot with live ammunition in Nablus and tear-gas related injuries were reported in both cities. 8 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Hizma, Bethlehem, al-‘Arub refugee camp, Ramallah, and Birzeit. In East Jerusalem, 9 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Issawiyya. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/15; WAFA 12/16; PCHR 12/17)
The Israel Land Authority published tenders for 290 new settler housing units in the Gilo settlement near Bayt Jala. (Ir Amim 12/16)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces attacked Palestinian worshippers in al-Ibrahimi Mosque during morning prayers at the advent of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Bayt Sahour, and Dura. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 2 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 10/29; PCHR 11/5)
The PA requested help from the UN to get a baptismal font back that was seized by Israel near Bethlehem on 7/20 this year. The baptismal font dates back to the 5th century. (WAFA 10/29)
A large Israeli military drill in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights caused massive damage with some 1,500 dunams (400 acres) burned by fires sparked from the drill. (TOI 10/29; HA 10/30)
U.S. secretary of defense Mark Esper visited Israel, meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz. Haaretz reported on 10/27 that Israel has requested F-22 fighter jets from the U.S., which are currently only used by the U.S. military. Meanwhile, the White House notified Congress of its intent to sell 50 F-35 fighter jets to the UAE as part of the normalization deal between Israel and the UAE. (AJ, HA, HA 10/29; LT 10/30)
The CEO of Golan Heights Winery in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights said in a statement that his wines will be sold in the UAE starting this week. The UAE does not recognize Israeli sovereignty in the occupied Golan Heights. (HA, REU 10/29)
U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced that U.S. citizens born in Jerusalem will be able to list Israel as the place of birth. The spokesperson for PA president Mahmoud Abbas condemned the U.S. decision. (HA 10/28; HA, REU, WAFA 10/29; AJ, IN, REU 10/30)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized some 100 Palestinian-owned olive trees in al-Mughayyir. Israeli forces uprooted 60 olive trees and razed land in Salfit. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work orders for 3 houses in al-Khadir. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 house in Taybeh. 12 Palestinians were arrested in and around Sabastiyya, Dura, Bethlehem, Jenin, Jericho, Ramallah, and Huwwara. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Bayt Hanina. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Issawiyya; during the raid, clashes erupted, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 2 miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/26; HA 10/27; PCHR 10/29)
At the UN security council, PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki called for an international peace conference to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. (WAFA 10/26)
The head of the sovereign council in Sudan, General Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, said that Sudan had normalized ties with Israel because the country would have to wait until August or September of 2021 to be removed from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. General al-Burhan also stated that Sudan still supports a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders and urged Israel to engage the Arab Peace Initiative. (HA 10/26)