The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, a Palestinian man shot by Israeli forces on 1/8 in Beitunia succumbs to his wounds. Israeli settlers set olive trees and an agriculture structure on fire near Kafr ad-Dik. Israeli forces raid Nablus and Abud, injuring 8 people with live ammunition, including a child, and cause widespread destruction in Nablus. Israeli forces also demolish a car wash and a nursery in Kafl Haris. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raze 6 dunams (1.5 acres) of Palestinian-owned land planted with 50 olive trees in Hebron and 2 dunams (.5 acres) of Palestinian-owned land near Bethlehem. Israeli forces also raid a medical clinic near Bethlehem, causing damage. Israeli forces arrest 26 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Ramallah, Tulkarm, Tubas, Hebron, Jenin, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolish a Palestinian home in Sur Baher, displacing 8 people. In Gaza, Israel bombs Dayr al-Balah, Rafah, Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Maghazi, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Jabalia refugee camp, killing at least 147 people, including 4 crew members and 2 injured Palestinians being transported an ambulance, killing 40 people in a home at the entrance of al-Aqsa Hospital in Dayr al-Balah, and 15 people in an apartment building in Rafah. In the Naqab, Israeli forces demolish the al-Za’arura and Bir Hadaj Bedouin villages. In Lebanon, Israeli forces attack the home of a Hezbollah member in Kfarchouba, killing him. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/10; AJ 1/11)

More than 23,357 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 16,350 women and children, and around 59,410 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 335 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 84 children. More than 4,148 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, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 184 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,076 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. At least 69,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 193 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings. (WAFA, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 1/10)

Israel places Khalida Jarrar in administrative detention for an initial period of 6 months. (AJ 1/10)

Haaretz reports that Israel demolished 140 Palestinian homes and 84 other structures in East Jerusalem in 2023, marking a 60% increase in home demolitions compared to 2022. The newspaper notes that during the first 9 months of 2023 10 housing units were demolished per month and after 10/7 the figure rose to 17 a month. (HA 1/10)

Hamas official Osama Hamdan says there are no talks about a prisoner exchange, adding Israel is defrauding the Israeli public by circulating reports about talks. Hamdan maintains the Hamas position that it will not engage until Israel stops its attacks on Gaza. Hamdan also calls on the ICJ not to be pressured by the U.S. (AJ, HA, NYT 1/10)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas meets with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken in Ramallah, discussing the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. Reports describe the meeting as intense, with Abbas pressing Blinken on Israel’s freezing of the PA’s tax revenue and Israel’s attacks on Gaza. Palestinians protest Blinken’s visit, saying he is not welcome. Blinken later tells the press in Bahrain that Abbas agreed to reform the PA in preparation to take control of Gaza. Abbas flies to Aqaba in Jordan after the meeting with Blinken where he meets Jordanian king Abdullah II and Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, discussing ways to end Israel’s war in Gaza and prevent the displacement of Palestinians. PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh meets with U.S. deputy assistant secretary for Palestinian affairs Hady Amr in Ramallah. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/10; AJ, AJ, HA, NYT 1/11)

In an English language post on X Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says, “Israel has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population,” contradicting statements by several of his coalition members. Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz says Hamas no longer has ruling capabilities in Gaza and that Israel will continue its war to prevent Hamas from regaining control. Gantz also says that security in Gaza will remain “in our hands.” Likud member and deputy speaker of the Knesset Nissim Vatur tells the Kol Barama radio station that “Gaza and its people must be burned.” (AJ, AP, HA, HA 1/10)

Colombia and Brazil issue statements in support of the South African case against Israel at the ICJ. Palestinians rally in Ramallah in support of the case. (AJ 1/10; AJ 1/11)

The UN Security Council passes a resolution demanding that Yemen’s Houthi government ends its attacks on ships in the Red Sea and frees the ship Galaxy Leader and its crew. Russia, China, Mozambique, and Algeria abstain. 3 Russian amendments to the resolution fail. The Houthis call the resolution a “political game.”  (AJ, AP, AP, HA 1/10; AJ, AJ, HA 1/11)

The ICC sets up a portal for submission of evidence of Israeli war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, or aggression. (AJ, WAFA 1/10)

The Chinese Foreign Ministry calls for an immediate ceasefire and for Israel to stop “collective punishment” of the people of Gaza. (AJ 1/10)

U.S. Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis suggests at a presidential primary debate that Egypt or Saudi Arabia should resettle some Palestinians from Gaza if Israel “makes the calculation that [it is needed] to avert a second Holocaust.” Another candidate, Nikki Haley, says the U.S. should give Israel “whatever it wants.” (AJ, HA 1/11)

A poll conducted for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy finds that 96% of Saudis believe all Arab states should sever all ties with Israel. A YouGov poll commissioned by Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Council for Arab-British Understanding shows that 71% of people in the UK support an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, while 17% approve of the UK government’s handling of the war on Gaza. (AJ 1/10)

The Jewish Forward reports that the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has started including pro-Palestine rallies in its tally of anti-Semitic incidents. The report also says that the ADL now deems all anti-Zionist chants and slogans anti-Semitic, leading to pro-Palestine rallies where anti-Zionist slogan were chanted constituting 40% of incidents of anti-Semitism counted in a recent ADL report. (AJ, HA 1/10)

The International Ice Hockey Federation bars Israel from participating in world championship events, citing security concerns. Israel calls the ban “anti-Semitic.” The decision prevents the U20 Israeli hockey team from participating in a Division III world championship tournament later this month. (HA, TOI 1/11)

In the West Bank, armed Israeli settlers harass and intimidate Palestinians in Hebron. Israeli settlers also bring livestock to graze on Palestinian crops in the Masafer Yatta area. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set up mobile homes near Tuqu’. Israeli forces shoot and injure 11 Palestinians during raids in Qatanna, Sabastia, Anabta, Zeita, and Tulkarm. Israeli forces also seize printing equipment and a vehicle from a printing shop in Nablus. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Khan Yunis, Maghazi, Beit Lahiya, Gaza City, Nuseirat refugee camp, Jabalia refugee camp, and Dayr al-Balah, killing more than 150 people, including 70 in a residential building in Jabalia refugee camp, 43 in 2 homes in Khan Yunis, 27 in 2 homes in Dayr al-Balah, and 4 in an UNRWA school sheltering internally displaced people. Israeli snipers also shoot a Palestinian outside of al-Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis. Doctors Without Borders says it will evacuate staff and patients from al-Aqsa Hospital in Dayr al-Balah after Israel orders the evacuation of the area in which the hospital is located, noting that Israel has attacked the area around the hospital for several days. Israel claims it forces have assassinated the commander of the al-Qassam Brigades Nuseirat battalion Ismail Sirah and his deputy Ahmed Wahba. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb a home in Kawthariyat al-Siyad 25 miles north of the Blue Line and several places south of Tyre. Hezbollah attacks a group of Israeli soldiers in Avivim and fires 62 missiles at the Meron air base. In the Red Sea, the U.S. says it shot down a drone launched from Yemen. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/6; AP, HA, HA, UNOCHA 1/7)

More than 22,750 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 8,800 children and 6,300 women, and around 57,910 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 319 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 81 children. More than 3,949 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 173 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,020 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. 116 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah and Karim Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings. (AJ, WAFA 1/6; UNOCHA 1/7)

The Gaza media office says Israel has exhumed 1,100 graves in the Tuffah cemetery, stealing 150 bodies. (AJ 1/6)

Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari says Israel has dismantled the Hamas “military framework” in northern Gaza and killed 8,000 militants in the area. Military chief of staff Herzl Halevi and Shin Bet director Ronen Bar tour Khan Yunis. (AJ, HA 1/6; AJ 1/7)

The PA says Israeli settlements in the Jordan Valley are quickly increasing while the world focuses on Gaza. The PA calls on the U.S. to urge Israel to end the settlement expansion. (AJ, WAFA 1/6)

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres submits a report to the UN Security Council warning that “widespread famine looms” in Gaza. Guterres says in the report that Israel must restore water and electricity services in Gaza. (AJ, HA 1/7)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken visits Greece and Turkey, meeting with Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Crete and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Istanbul. Blinken later arrives in Jordan ahead of a meeting with King Abdullah II. Blinken also speaks with the Algerian foreign minister Ahmed Attaf telling him that the U.S. rejects the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU 1/6)

U.S. senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Jeff Merkey (D-OR) visit the Rafah crossing. Van Hollen tells reporters that the Israeli authorities are stymying the flow of aid by arbitrarily rejecting supplies from entering Gaza, calling the aid screening process “unnecessarily cumbersome.” A congressional delegation visits Qatar, meeting with prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and discussing the situation in Gaza. (AJ, AP 1/6; AJ 1/7)

EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borell meets with Lebanese caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati in Beirut, discussing Israel’s attacks on Lebanon and Gaza. (AJ 1/6)

100 lawyers from Chile file a complaint with the ICC accusing Israel of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, blaming Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (AJ 1/6)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole 6 sheep during a raid in Qusra. Israeli forces shot and injured 6 Palestinians during raids in Askar refugee camp, Surif, Dahariya, and Asira ash-Sharmaliya. 28 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Tubas, Dahariya, Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Qalandia. In Gaza, Israeli forces bombed az-Zawayda, Rafah, Khan Yunis, Jabalia refugee camp, and central Gaza, killing more than 297 Palestinians. Israeli forces also opened fire at a Gaza Ministry of Health warehouse, injuring 3 people. 3 Israeli soldiers were killed in combat. In Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes destroyed 5 homes and damaged others in Aitaroun and attacked areas near Yaroun, Rmeish, and Aita al-Shaab. Hezbollah said it had wounded several Israeli soldiers in attacks on Israel. In Syria, Israeli forces attacked areas around Damascus, causing damage. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/10; AP, HA, NYT, NYT, UNOCHA 12/11)

More than 18,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 7,729 children and 5,153 women, and around 49,300 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 267 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 69 children. More than 3,387 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. 101 Israeli soldiers have been killed 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 12/3, at least 52,000 housing units had been destroyed and 253,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. Around 100 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza. 25 injured Palestinians and 468 dual nationals were evacuated to Egypt. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 12/10)

The Israeli military said 1,593 Israeli soldiers have been wounded since 10/7, including 255 who were in serious condition and 446 who were moderately injured. Of these, 559 were said to have been injured in Gaza. 425 soldiers have been killed since 10/7, including 97 since the ground invasion began. Haaretz said a comparison of numbers between hospital reports and the military reporting showed a significant gap, indicating that the military was underreporting the number of injuries. (HA 12/10)

The Palestinian Prisoners Society said Israel has abducted 142 Palestinian women and children and taken them to prisons in Israel. (AJ, WAFA 12/10)

The Israeli socioeconomic cabinet voted unanimously against lifting the ban on entry for Palestinian workers from the West Bank into Israel. The security cabinet later postponed voting on the recommendation after it became clear that most ministers would vote against allowing Palestinian workers to enter Israel again. Israel is having a labor shortage after expelling all Palestinian workers from Gaza and the West Bank and is expecting thousands of workers from India and Nepal to arrive within 2 weeks. (HA 12/10; HA, HA 12/11)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh told the Doha Forum that the PA’s “main concern is not the day after. It is today. We want the stop of atrocities and genocide that is happening today,” and called for sanctions on Israel. Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi said Israel is trying to “empty Gaza of Palestinians” calling its campaign “genocide.” UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said the UN Security Council was paralyzed due to geopolitical divisions and said he would not give up on a ceasefire. Shtayyeh also met with Algerian foreign minister Ahmed Attaf and Qatari prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on the sidelines of the Doha Forum. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/10)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Russian president Vladimir Putin. In an Israeli readout of the conversation, Netanyahu was said to have expressed displeasure with the Russian stance against Israel at the UN. The Russian readout said the main focus of the conversation was the “catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.” Later during a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu thanked the U.S. for providing “important ammunition” for Israel to continue attacking Gaza and for the U.S. veto at the UN Security Council on 12/8. A spokesperson for Netanyahu said that Israel is not seeking to force the Palestinian population to flee Gaza. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU 12/10; HA 12/11)

Egypt and Mauritania invoked UN Resolution 377, prompting UN General Assembly president Dennis Francis to convene a special session of the General Assembly on 12/13. Resolution 377, adopted in 1950, allows the General Assembly to act if the UN Security Council fails to “exercise its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.” (AJ 12/10; AP, REU 12/11)

The WHO executive board approved a resolution calling for the “immediate, sustained, and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief, including the access of medical personnel” to Gaza. (WAFA, WAFA 12/10; AJ 12/11)

UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini said dehumanization of Palestinians allowed the international community to accept the continued Israeli attacks in Gaza. (REU 12/10) 

The New York Times reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu had encouraged Qatari payments to Gaza to keep Hamas as a strong counterweight to the PA as this would lessen pressure on Israel to negotiate a 2-state solution. (NYT 12/10)

The Israeli Finance Ministry said the Israeli budget deficit rose by $4.5 billion in November, citing expenses due to Israel’s war on Gaza. (REU 12/10)

Moroccan protesters in Rabat called on the Moroccan government to cut ties with Israel. (REU 11/10)

Reuters reported that Russian deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bodanov had spoken to officials from Hamas and other Palestinian factions, saying they should release the remaining captives. (REU 12/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shot and injured 1 Palestinian man near Beit Umar, others suffered tear-gas related injuries when Israeli forces intervened on behalf of the settlers. Israeli settlers also set fire to a Palestinian home in Mukhmas, rendering 6 Palestinians homeless. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Ein al-Beida, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, Haris, Huwwara, and Deir Sharaf. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians and injured 3 others during a raid in Nablus, 3 were arrested. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian man while dispersing a protest in Umm Safa; Israeli settlers also attacked the Palestinian protesters with sticks and stones, causing injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 5 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed some 300 Israeli activists from Peace Now using stun grenades. The activists were marching to the Homesh settlement outpost to protest its reopening to settlers. (ABC, AJ, BBC, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, PCHR, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/7; PCHR 7/8; PCHR 7/13; UNOCHA 7/27; UNOCHA 7/29)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Omani foreign minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi. (WAFA, WAFA 7/7)

Head of Hamas’ overseas political bureau Khaled Mashal landed in Algeria for a 3-day visit. Mashal will meet with the leaders of the National Liberation Front and the Ennahda movement during his trip. (QDS 7/8; MEMO 7/10)

The Israeli government told the High Court of Justice that it plans to legalize the Homesh settlement outpost. (HA 7/7)

The Israeli military said it had disciplined 5 soldiers for not obeying standard procedures when striking Gaza during the May 2021 assault on Gaza. The military did not say which incidents the soldiers were disciplined for and the soldiers will not face criminal charges. (AP 7/7; AJ 7/8)

The UN Security Council met to discuss Israel’s attack on Jenin refugee camp earlier in the week at the request of the UAE. The closed-door meeting did not result in any action. (HA 7/8)

An Israeli team of esport players landed in Saudi Arabia for the FiFAe Club World Cup 2023 tournament using their Israeli passports. (HA 7/9)

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

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

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

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

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians working their land near Sinjil. Israeli settlers also assaulted Palestinian shepherds near Kisan. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers blocked a road between Nablus and Qalqilya.

In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting an incursion by Israeli settlers at the Haram al-Sharif compound; 30 were injured by baton rounds and tear gas.

In Gaza, 5 rockets were fired at Israel; 4 of them were intercepted and 1 caused damage to a house in Sderot. Israel subsequently conducted air strikes, causing damage to several homes in al-Bureij refugee camp, Gaza City, and Nusseirat refugee camp. (HA 4/20; AJ, AJ, AP, AP, CNN, HA, IN, JP, NPR, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/21; PCHR 4/28; UNOCHA 5/13)

Israel closed all crossings from the West Bank and Gaza to East Jerusalem and Israel at 5 P.M. for the Jewish holiday of Passover. The closure will remain in effect until an unspecified time on 4/23. (HA 4/21)

U.S. acting assistant secretary of state for Near East affairs Yael Lempert and deputy assistant secretary for Israeli and Palestinian affairs Hady Amr met with PA president Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid in separate meetings in an effort to calm the situation surrounding the Haram al-Sharif compound, where Israeli forces have attacked Palestinian worshippers for a week, including in al-Aqsa Mosque. (HA 4/21; WAFA 4/22)

The Arab league slammed Israel for interfering with Muslims’ rights to worship at the Haram al-Sharif compound and criticized the Israeli government for continuing to allow Jewish people to worship at the Holy site. The statement was released after a meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in Jordan from the UAE, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, and the PA. (AJ, REU, WAFA 4/21)

Iran said it had arrested 3 people suspected of being Mossad agents. (HA 4/20; AP 4/21)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 50 olive trees in Tarqumiyah as part of an effort to make a road to the Telem settlement. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man near a checkpoint in the Nablus area; Israel claimed that the man had attempted ramming soldiers with his car; no soldier was injured. Israeli forces demolished a 2-story house in Nahalin; Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the demolition, causing tear-gas related injuries. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a house raid in Jericho. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Jabel Mukaber, displacing 5. Israeli forces detained 3 Palestinian minors and seized their Palestinian flags after they had raised the flags on the Haram al-Sharif compound. 4 others were arrested in the Old City. In Israel, the Israeli member of the Knesset from the Religious Zionist party Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened 2 Palestinian Israeli parking garage employees with a gun when the 2 told Ben-Gvir not to park in a prohibited zone. (AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/21; MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 12/22; MEMO, PCHR 12/23)

Israeli media reported that Israel had handed over 2 Palestinians to the PA. The 2 were allegedly wanted by the PA when they were arrested in Israel. (MEMO 12/23)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with U.S. acting assistant secretary of state for Near East Affairs Yael Lambert in Ramallah. (WAFA 12/21)

The Fatah central committee convened without making any significant announcements. (WAFA 12/21)

Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri said Hamas supports reconciliation talks with Fatah sponsored by Algeria. The talks were 1st announced by Algeria during a meeting between president Abdelmadjid Tebboune and PA president Mahmoud Abbas in Algiers on 12/6. (MEMO 12/22)

United Arab List leader Mansour Abbas said during a conference hosted by the Hebrew newspaper Globes that “Israel was born as a Jewish state. And that was the decision of the Jewish people, to establish a Jewish state. The question is not ‘what is the identity of the state?’ That’s how the state was born, and so it will remain.” Leader of the Joint List coalition Ayman Odeh criticized Abbas’s remarks, saying that “the state’s identity should interest every citizen.” PA president Mahmoud Abbas also criticized Mansour Abbas for his comments, saying that he has abandoned his own people to side with the “Zionist colonial project.” (JP, TOI 12/21; ALM, WAFA, WAFA 12/22; HA, MEMO 12/23; HA 12/25)

U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan met with Israeli president Isaac Herzog. President Herzog had said before the meeting he would raise with Security Advisor Sullivan his desire to have the yeshiva in the evacuated settlement outpost Homesh remain. 1 Israeli settler was killed at the Homesh outpost on 12/16. Meanwhile, Israeli Channel 13 reported that U.S. president Joe Biden ignored a request from Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett for a phone meeting. (TOI 12/22; ALM 12/28)

AP reported that former head of the Israeli military intelligence directorate Tamir Heyman acknowledged that Israel took part in the U.S. assassination of Iranian general Qassim Soleimani on 1/2/2020. (ABC, HILL, MEMO 12/21)

The Washington Post reported that the UAE had planted NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware on Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s then-fiancée’s phone prior to the killing of Khashoggi. The Post reported that Hanan Elatr’s devices were hacked while she was in Dubai airport due to her job as a flight attendant. While in Dubai airport, Elatr was detained and questioned as agents planted the Pegasus spyware on her devices. The Citizen Lab research group confirmed that the Pegasus spyware had been planted on her phone prior to the killing of Khashoggi. AP also reported that Citizen Lab had found Pegasus spyware on phones belonging to a Polish lawyer and a Polish prosecutor known to publicly oppose the right-wing Polish government’s attempts to undermine the judicial branch of government. (AJ, AP, HA, WP 12/21)

UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process Tor Wennesland called on Israel to cease settlement activities and displacement of Palestinians in East Jerusalem during a UN security council meeting. Special Coordinator Wennesland also warned that an increase in settler violence in the West Bank could ignite tensions between Hamas and Israel. (MEMO, MEMO 12/22)

IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinians scavenging for construction materials, wounding 1. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Nablus and nr Jenin; conducts late-night patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah. (PCHR 1/20, 1/27; OCHA 1/28)

Lebanon introduces a draft of a major United Nations Security Council res. for debate that urges the international community to denounce Israeli settlement activity, using wording that artfully pieces together official U.S. statements on settlements to make it harder for the U.S. to object or veto. The U.S. ultimately urges Abbas to suspend discussion of the draft until a Quartet meeting on 2/5, suggesting the Quartet might issue a statement confirming 1967 borders as the basis of final status negotiations and condemning Israeli settlement construction. (NYT 1/20)

At an Arab economic summit in Sharm al-Shaykh, Arab leaders pledge $2 b. to shore up regional economies and generate jobs in hopes of preventing the spread of antigovernment riots like those in Tunisia. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait each pledges $500 m., with 11 other states pledging the other $1 b. Observers say however (see NYT 1/20) that leaders are acting more out of a desire to secure their leaderships than to reform and develop their economies, noting that none of the similar initiatives agreed at the last economic summit in 2009 have been implemented. By this date, numerous self-immolations (some fatal) and antigovernment protests have taken place in Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen since the fall of Ben-Ali on 1/14, citing Tunisia as inspiration. In response to the Yemeni riots, the most severe to date, Pres. Ali Abdullah Saleh has cut income taxes in half, imposed price controls on basic goods, raised salaries for the army, and vowed his son will not succeed him, while the EU has announced an additional $19.5 m. in support to Sana’a for poverty programs. Today, an Egyptian Facebook group begins calling for massive street protests in Cairo on 1/25 to mark a “day of revolution against torture, poverty, corruption, and unemployment.” (WT 1/19; NYT 1/20; NYT, WT 1/25; see also al-Bawaba 1/17; NYT, WP 1/18)

After receiving a warning fr. Egypt that Israel is serious about preventing further rocket and mortar fire fr. Gaza, Hamas authorities hold a 2d mtg. (see 1/11) with smaller factions to urge them to adhere to a cease-fire, then deploys IQB mbrs. along the border and at makeshift checkpoints on roads leading toward the border to deter groups fr. firing into Israel. In the West Bank, the IDF steps up patrols dramatically, operating in 8 villages nr. Qalqilya, 3 nr. Jenin, 1 nr. Ramallah, and 1 nr. Tulkarm between late morning and late afternoon, arresting 1 stone-throwing teenager nr. Tulkarm and summoning several residents of Bayt Qad nr. Qalqilya for questioning; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin and Qalqilya. Jewish settlers fr. a settlement outpost nr. Nablus attack a Palestinian farmer working his field nearby; when nearby villagers come to the farmers aid, IDF troops intervene, firing rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas at the Palestinians, seriously injuring 2 and moderately injuring 1. (NYT, WP 1/14; PCHR 1/20; OCHA 1/21)

In Tunisia, opposition forces call for massive antigovernment demonstrations after Friday prayers on 1/14 to demand Pres. Ben Ali’s immediate resignation. In the days since 12/29/2010, protests have increasingly come to reflect deep-seated frustration with overall government corruption and lack of political freedom, rather than just economic angst. The major riots that first roiled the countryside have become increasingly violent and spread nationwide, reaching the capital on 1/12 and the key resort city of Hammamet (where Ben Ali and his extended family have residences) on 1/13, leaving at least 30 dead. In effort to quell protests, Ben Ali has simultaneously moved to appease and clamp down on critics, pledging to investigate government corruption and recent “excesses” by the security forces and firing his interior minister (directly responsible for orchestrating the crackdown on demonstrators), but also deploying army units and riot police around Tunis and imposing a nighttime curfew, blaming “foreign terrorists and Islamic radicals capitalizing on the frustrations of the unemployed.” Rumors suggest that close relatives of Ben Ali, including billionaire businessman Muhammad Sakher El Materi (his son-in-law and heir apparent), have already fled the country. Today, Ben Ali gives a hastily prepared television address. Appearing unsettled, he orders security forces to hold their fire and release jailed protesters, agrees to make other minor reforms, and pledges to give up the presidency when he turns 75 (in 2014) in keeping with the constitution, but rejects demands to step down immediately and end his 23-yr. authoritarian rule. In a threatening move, however, he withdraws the army fr. Tunis, replacing them with special police and other security forces more loyal to his ruling party. Credible rumors say the shift has come about because Tunisia’s army chief Gen. Rachid Ammar has refused Ben-Ali’s orders to shoot demonstrators. By this date, small protests inspired by Tunisian demonstrators have been held in Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, and Morocco denouncing unemployment and corruption among the ruling elites, but are not perceived as destabilizing. (NYT, WP 1/13; NYT 1/14, 1/17, 2/24; see also WP 1/10, NYT 1/12)

U.S. Asst. Secy. Indyk briefs ambs. of Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the UAE on the Wye agmt. (al-Akhbar, al-Ba'th, al-Jumhuriyya, MENA, RL 10/26, AFP 10/27 in WNC 10/28; MM, NYT, WP 10/27; MM 10/28; al-Ba'th 10/28 in WNC 11/2; al-Quds 10/28, SA 10/30, al-Ahram 11/2 in WNC 11/6; MM 10/29, 10/30; MM 11/2; WP 11/6)

In the Knesset, PM Netanyahu survives no-confidence motion, but Knesset Law Comm. agrees (9-7) to hear 1st reading of bill calling for the dissolution of parliament, new elections in 100 days. MKs criticize Netanyahu for linking Pollard with the peace process. (CSM, WP, WT 10/27)

In Gaza, the Arab Liberation Front, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Islamic National Salvation Party, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) issue statement denouncing the Wye agmt. (MENA 10/26 in WNC 10/27; PR 10/30)

200 Jewish settlers hold rally outside PM Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem, protesting the Wye agmt. At least 24 are detained by Israeli police. (ITV 10/26 in WNC 10/27; WP 10/27; YA 10/27 in WNC 10/28; MM 10/28)

Jordan, Israel begin long-delayed $1.65-m. joint project to build the `Adasiyya diversion wall to diver Yarmuk River water. (JT, RJ 10/27 in WNC 10/28; JP 211/9)

An Israeli settler is killed in Israeli-controlled Hebron in an apparent attack by Palestinians. IDF places curfew on Palestinians in Hebron's Israeli-controlled zone. Later, the body of a Palestinian is found outside Itamar settlement nr. Nablus. An anonymous caller claims Palestinian was killed to avenge the settler's death. (IDF Radio, ITV 10/26 in WNC 10/27; ITV 10/26 in WNC 10/28; CSM, LAW, MM, NYT, WP 10/27; MM 10/28; WJW 10/29; PR 10/30)

In Ramallah, Palestinians observe general strike, 100s of Fatah mbrs. march to protest 10/25 events, call on Arafat to punish security services. (NYT, WP 10/27; PR 10/30)

International experts submit final report Iraqi missile fragments to the UNSC, say results are inconclusive. Tests by Switzerland show no traces of VX; 1 sample in the 3d test by France shows traces of nerve agent that could be VX. French, Swiss, U.S. tests all show traces of unknown compound that could mask biological agents. (NYT, WP 10/27; MEI 10/30) (6/22)

U.S. says that a UN proposal to try the Pan Am bombing suspects in the Hague under Scottish law, tentatively agreed to by all parties, is in jeopardy because of Libyan demands that the 2 suspects not be imprisoned in Scotland if found guilty. (WP 10/27; WT 10/28) (see 9/29)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Police ban gatherings of 10 or more in E. Jerusalem, threaten Palestinians that if they display the Palestinian flag they can receive 5 years in jail, $10,000 fine. Curfew for the Gaza Strip enters 4th day. Closure of W. Bank schools is extended until end of November. Army cuts off electricity in Hebron and Nablus [WP 11/16].

Arab World: In Algiers PNC proclaims Palestinian state with Jerusalem as capital, accepts UN Resolution 242, and calls for "peaceful coexistence with all people for a durable and lasting peace" and for the convening of international peace conference [WP 11/16]. Several Arab countries recognize the State of Palestine - Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, North Yemen, South Yemen, Mauritania [NYT 11/16].

Other Countries: Turkey and Malaysia recognize the State of Palestine [WP 11/16].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Labor party approves moderate foreign policy program which emphasizes necessity of interim arrangements in the occupied territories, Labor party's willingness to meet with all representatives of the territories, but rejects the prospect of a Palestinian state [JP 4/11]. Two thousand people mark 40th day after death of former Nablus Mayor Zafir al-Masri, stage a pro-PLO demonstration [JP 4/11].

Arab World: Salah Khalaf tells Kuwaiti newspaper that Yasir Arafat's Fateh faction has decided to dismiss 7 of its Jordan-based members, including Abu Za'im, formerly a member of the Fateh Central Committee, after they formed asplinter group [JP, FJ 4/11]. Algeria offers to host a conference of all Palestinian factions to settle differences and reunite leadersip; PFLP and DFLP welcome the offer; PLO spokesman in Tunis states the welcome which the PLO representative inAlgeria gave to the offer does not necessarily represent the view of the organization [JP 4/11]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: A military court in Ramallah upholds 7/31 administrative detention order against Ziad Abu 'Ain. Abu 'Ain's lawyer, Jonathan Kuttab, is not allowed to speak during the hearing [FJ 8/9]. Four-day curfew in Nablus is lifted [NYT 8/4].

Arab World: South Yemen and Algeria announce they will not attend the upcoming Arab summit meeting in Casablanca [CT 8/5]. Syria announces it will punish "traitors" who attend [JP 8/4].

Military Action

Arab World: SLA troops kill three guerrillas in a clash near Quneitra [LAT 8/4].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In joint communique, Israel and Egypt agree to talks on moving 6,000 Palestinians from Egyptian section of Rafah to Israeli-held portion; Israel seeks compensation for the move [LT 1/30]. Former "Black Panther" members, urban slum dwellers form activist group "Combat '85" to improve conditions in poor Israeli neighborhoods; among 1st demands is shift of W. Bank settlement funds to poor urban areas [JTA 1/29]. Knesset debates govt. decision to abolish office of adviser to the prime minister on Arab affairs [JP 1/30].

Arab World: PLO Central Com. mbr. 'Abd al-Rahim Ahmad reports Committee to meet mid-February to discuss jordanianPalestinian relations, other subjects; meeting to be held in Algeria, S. Yemen or Tunisia [MG 1/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF detain scores of residents of northern mountain in Nablus after gasoline bomb thrown at IDF vehicle; later released for lack of evidence [FJ 2/1].

Arab World: Katyusha launched at IDF position in Ruman, S. Lebanon; no injuries [JP 1/30]. IDF kill 4 resistance fighters near Jezzine, S. Lebanon [JP 1/31].

Military Action:

Fierce fighting between LNM militia and Lebanese Army along Green Line as final French contingent prepares to leave (during 4-hour battle French ammunition truck on way to port is hit); machine-gun fire, rocket-propelled grenades exchanged in Ras Nabeh area near recently reopened Sodeco crossing point; IDF jets destroy Syrian SAM-9 anti-aircraft missile site in Central Lebanon near Dahr al-Baydar as tension continues along Beirut-Damascus highway (third air strike in four days); guerrillas again attack IDF troops using rocket-propelled grenades in Bekaa; IDF background paper claims 98 Syrian/Palestinian cease-fire violations since July 23.

Casualties:

Fighting burns some buildings; 1 Lebanese Army soldier killed, 13 wounded, 2 civilians killed, several in LNM militia killed and wounded.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israeli Cabinet warns Syria against violating cease-fire or war of attrition, says it will seek to prevent Arafat meeting with Pope; roads extended to new Jewish settlements near Nablus; 3 Najah University professors ordered deported after refusing to sign anti-PLO pledge.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat, in Algeria, reviews PLO fighters, plans to tour PLO camps in Syria, Tunisia, South Yemen, and Sudan; Prime Minister Wazzan goes on TV to urge backing for Army; Gemayel issues call for Christians and Muslims to work together.

US and Other Countries: Shultz, addressing United Jewish Appeal (UJA) fundraiser for Israel, urges Israel to remain "open" to Reagan peace initiative, reiterates US promise to not pressure Israel economically or militarily; Senator Arlen Specter (R.-Pa) visits Begin in Jerusalem after talks with Gemayel and Sarkis in Lebanon.

Military Action:

IDF shells Beirut periodically throughout day to "soften up" (mostly a one-way exchange; electricity, water and food selectivejy blockaded); IDF continues inching toward Burj al-Barajneh; all traffic barred except for Lebanese doctors, police, as water and food intercepted; IDF fires at buildings, apartment complexes in Lailake and camp areas; joint IDF/Phalange checkpoints along coast as Phalange takes over security operations; IDF officers tell UN up to 1000 PLO guerrillas are at large in South Lebanon.

Casualties:

WAFA releases names of 381 IDF killed in war (100 higher than Israeli government figures)-compiled from private death notices published in 2 Israeli newspapers; ICRC recalls Lebanese delegate and sends temporary replacement (dispute over casualty estimates); 2 senior Fateh commanders killed recently in Sidon; 2 IDF wounded near Lake Karoun by mine.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Cabinet rejects peace proposal allowing any future political role for PLO in Lebanon, but will allow more negotiating time; Peres says Labor Party will support continuing negotiations after briefing by Begin; D. Kimche reports to Cabinet on weekend trip to Beirut (first time Israel has become directly involved in negotiations); Cabinet says it will ignore anti-war protests organized by Peace Now and Mapam; team appointed to assess whether Avnery meeting with Arafat was a brelch of state security; Agriculture Minister asks Sharon to investigate, prosecute IDF officers who engage in Peace Now activities while on active duty; West Bank Palestinians stage general strike to protest Beirut siege (9 injured, some by IDF gunfire); 2 Palestinians killed, 10 wounded in clashes near Ramallah between villagers protesting invasion and Israeli-backed Village League members; marches in Nablus and Ramallah against the war; headquarters of the Federation of Pales-tinian Working Women, observing a two-day strike to protest the invasion, raided by Israeli soldiers, 7 arrested, cultural exhibits damaged and confiscated.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Wazzan threatens to boycott negotiations unless siege lifted, refuses to cross checkpoint manned by IDF; Salam says Israeli rejection of PLO withdrawal proposal is prelude to thrust on Beirut.

Arab Governments: Morocco reportedly rejects PLO transfer to Algeria, fearing their support for the Polisario; Libyan leader Qaddafi says PLO should fight to the death in Beirut (provokes Arafat rebuke of Qaddafi's "despair" and a failure to support PLO); Syria strengthens its forces in eastern Lebanon (new observation posts set up); Mubarak receives Reagan's letter.

US and Other Countries: Tom Hayden and Jane Fonda visit IDF position to watch shelling of Beirut after visiting IDF soldiers (Hayden says invasion justified by PLO refusal to recognize Israel); USSR officials meet with PLO Kaddoumi and Arab League officials.

UN: Security Council approves resolution asking Israel to allow shipment of essential items to West Beirut (US votes for proposal by Jordan).