The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers burn down a Palestinian home in al-Muarajat. Israeli settlers also try to demolish a home in al-Jiftlik. 3 settlers are injured when gunmen open fire at vehicles near Jericho. Israeli forces shoot and injure 4 Palestinians during a raid in Qalandia refugee camp. Israeli forces also shoot and injure a Palestinian during a raid in Nablus. Israeli forces arrest 25 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Tulkarm, Jenin, and Salfit. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Rafah, Beit Lahiya, Gaza City, Nuseirat refugee camp, and Jabalia refugee camp, killing at least 62 people. Israeli forces also continue the sieges of al-Shifa and al-Amal hospitals, shooting and killing Sawt al-Quds Radio journalist Muhammad Abu Sakhil at al-Shifa. A Palestinian child dies of starvation at the Kamal Adwan Hospital. In Lebanon, Hezbollah forces attack Israeli positions in Kfarchouba. In Jordan, large protests near the Israeli embassy continue for the fifth day in a row. In Syria, Israeli forces bomb Damascus, injuring 2. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/28; AP, AP, REU, UNOCHA 3/29)

More than 32,552 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 13,400 children and 8,900 women, and around 74,980 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 444 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 111 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, 252 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. Reuters reports that Israel is delaying visa requests for aid workers, hindering aid efforts. UNICEF says Israel has directly hit 212 schools in airstrikes since 10/7/2023, including 53 that have been completely destroyed. 7 members of Palestinian Red Crescent are released by Israel after being arrested at al-Amal Hospital on 2/9. (AJ, REU, REU, WAFA 3/28; UNOCHA 3/29)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas approves the new government presented to him by prime minister Mohammed Mustafa. The government will be sworn in on 3/31. The PA says Israel is showing “total contempt” for the UN Security Council ceasefire resolution with its continued attacks on Gaza. Abbas meets with Belgian foreign minister Hadja Lahbib. Lahbib says during a tour of West Bank villages “[c]olonization and increasing violence perpetrated by settlers in the West Bank are illegal. They must stop.” (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, REU, WAFA, WAFA 3/28; HA, NYT 3/29)

Hamas deputy political leader Khalil al-Hayya says he is not optimistic about a ceasefire deal in the near future but that Hamas is ready to resume negotiations and ready to show “the greatest level of flexibility for the sake of our people.” Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades leader Mohammed Deif calls on Muslims to “[s]tart marching today, now, not tomorrow, towards Palestine” in a recorded speech. (AJ, AP 3/28)

Islamic Jihad secretary-general Ziyad al-Nakhalah meets with Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran. (AJ 3/28)

Israel claims to have killed Hamas commander Raad Thabet at al-Shifa Hospital, calling him a top 10 commander. The Gaza Media Office says Israeli forces have killed around 200 people on the hospital grounds since 3/18, including 65 members of the civil defense. The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor says Israel has executed 13 children in and around al-Shifa since 3/18. (AJ, HA 3/28)

The ICJ issues new provisional orders against Israel, including ordering Israel to ensure the unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, including food, water, electricity, fuel, shelter, clothing, hygiene and sanitation requirements, and medical supplies. The ICJ also orders Israel to open up more crossings and keep them open for “as long as necessary.” The ICJ says that since the provisional measures were first ordered on 1/26 the situation in Gaza has changed from a risk of famine to the beginning of a famine. The PA and South Africa welcome the new measures. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, REU, REU, WAFA 3/28; AJ, AP 3/29)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells families of Israeli soldiers held captive in Gaza that the Israeli military is preparing to enter Rafah. (AJ 3/28)

U.S. military chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Brown says the U.S. has not provided Israel with all the weapons they have asked for due to a lack of capacity and not being willing to provide certain types of weapons or ammunition. Politico reports that the Department of Defense is exploring creating a fund for a multinational or Palestinian peacekeeping force in Gaza. (AJ, AP, HA 3/28)

The German bank Berliner Sparkasse freezes the account of the Jewish anti-Zionist group The Jewish Voice for a Just Peace in the Middle East and request a list of its members and their addresses. (AJ 3/28)

France will reportedly pursue legal action against French Israeli soldiers implicated in war crimes in Gaza. (HA 3/28)

Japan says it will resume funding of UNRWA after foreign minister Yoko Kamikawa meets UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini in Tokyo. France says it will provide $32.41 million to UNRWA in 2024. Kuwait donates $2 million to UNRWA. (AJ, HA, REU, REU 3/28; AJ 3/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shoot and injure 2 Palestinians during a raid in Qabatiya. Israeli forces also arrest 30 Palestinians during raids in and around Jalazone refugee camp, Hebron, Tulkarm, Nablus, Jenin, and Tubas. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Rafah, Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Jabalia refugee camp, Nuseirat refugee camp, and Maghazi, killing at least 81 people, including 30 people sheltering in a home near al-Shifa Hospital. Israeli forces also continue to besiege the Nasser, al-Shifa, and al-Amal hospitals. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Tayr Harfa, Baalbek, Hermel, Ayta ash Shaab, Kafr Kila, and Dhahirah, killing 3 people. Hezbollah forces fire rockets at Avivim, damaging a winery, and at the Mount Meron air base. In Jordan, police violently disperse protesters outside of the Israeli embassy. In Syria, Israeli forces bomb Deir ez-Zor, killing 17 people, including a WHO staffer and an Iranian military advisor. (AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/26; AJ, NYT, UNOCHA 3/27)

More than 32,414 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 13,400 children and 8,900 women, and around 74,787 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 440 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 111 children. More than 4,665 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, 251 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,509 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. 193 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. The Gaza Media Office says 12 people have drowned trying to retrieve airdropped aid that landed in the sea and 6 have been killed in stampedes while trying to reach airdropped aid in the past week. (AJ, NYT, REU 3/26; UNOCHA 3/27; UNOCHA 3/29)

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh meets Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Tehran. Haniyeh says in a press conference that the UN Security Council resolution demanding a ceasefire from 3/25 indicates that “the Israeli occupation is experiencing unprecedented political isolation” and that Israel has not been able to achieve “any of its military or strategic objectives” in Gaza. (AJ, REU 3/26)

Israel recalls its negotiating team from Qatar, saying Hamas insists on “extreme demands: immediately ending to the war, a complete withdrawal of the IDF from the Gaza Strip and to remain in power.” Reuters reports that the negotiation team has been recalled for consultations and a small Israeli team remains in Doha. (AP, AX, HA, REU 3/26)

Israel’s military spokesperson Daniel Hagari says Hamas deputy military commander Marwan Issa was killed on 3/11. The U.S. announced on 3/18 that Issa had been killed. (AJ, AJ, HA 3/26)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant meets with U.S. secretary of defense Lloyd Austin in Washington, D.C. Austin calls the situation in Gaza a “human catastrophe” and says the civilian death toll is “far too high.” Gallant says Gaza will not be governed by Hamas or Israel after the war. German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock calls for unhindered access for aid to Gaza and says the “humanitarian situation in Gaza is hell” during a visit to Israel. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU 3/26)

U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller says an Israeli ground invasion of Rafah “would hurt Israel’s national security,” citing the potential to further isolate Israel globally. Miller also says Israel’s assertion that the passing of the UN Security Council ceasefire resolution had an impact on the ceasefire negotiations is “inaccurate in almost every respect,” noting Hamas’s response to the Israeli proposal was prepared before the Security Council vote. Lastly, Miller says the U.S. has not made a conclusive determination as to whether Israel is using U.S.-supplied weapons in accordance with international law or hindering U.S. aid from entering Gaza. (AJ, HA 3/26; AP, HA 3/27) 

During a speech at the UN Human Rights Council, UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese says “Israel has committed 3 acts of genocide causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group, deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part, and imposing measures intended to prevent birth within the group.” Albanese also says Israel has dropped 25,000 tonnes of explosives on Gaza since 10/7/2023, equivalent to 2 nuclear bombs. Albanese released a report on Israel’s attacks on Gaza on 3/25. (AJ, HA 3/26)

UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini says UNRWA only has funds to run operations until the end of May. (AJ 3/26)

Colombian president Gustavo Petro says the international community should break diplomatic relations with Israel if Israel does not comply with the Security Council ceasefire resolution. (AJ, HA 3/26)

An Israeli woman held captive in Gaza until she was released on 11/30/2023 tells the New York Times that she was sexually assaulted by one of the people guarding her. Hamas official Basem Naim tells the Times that the allegation will be investigated but that it cannot be done at the moment due to “the current circumstances.” (NYT 3/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces assault a Palestinian man during a raid in Sa’ir. Israeli forces also arrest 16 Palestinians during raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, an Israeli settler stabs and injures a Palestinian bus driver. Israeli forces raid al-Qibli Mosque at the Haram al-Sharif compound, forcibly removing worshippers. Israeli forces also prevent Palestinian Christians from reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Palm Sunday celebrations. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Khan Yunis, Rafah, Dayr al-Balah, and Gaza City, killing at least 84 people, including several at the aid distribution point at the Kuwait Roundabout in Gaza City for the second day in a row. Israeli forces also raids and besiege of al-Shifa Hospital for the seventh day in a row. Elsewhere, Israeli forces also raid and besiege the Nasser and al-Amal hospitals in Khan Yunis, killing at least 1 medic. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Ayta ash Shab, al-Adissa, Baalbek, and Souari, killing a Syrian national in Souari. Hezbollah forces attack al-Marj. In Jordan, police violently disperse protesters outside of the Israeli embassy. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/24; AJ, REU, UNOCHA 3/25)

More than 32,226 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 13,400 children and 8,900 women, and around 74,518 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 440 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 111 children. More than 4,665 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, 251 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,489 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. 137 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. U.S. and Jordanian forces airdrop aid over northern Gaza. UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini says Israel has informed the UN that it will no longer allow UNRWA to distribute aid in northern Gaza. (AJ, HA, REU, WAFA 3/24; REU, WAFA, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 3/25)

Israel says it has arrested 800 people at al-Shifa Hospital in the past week. (AJ, NYT, REU 3/24)

Israeli general Amir Avivi says a U.S. State Department official accused Israel of “systematic” sexual abuse of Palestinian women during a recent meeting. (AJ 3/24)

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres meets Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo, saying the only effective way to provide aid to Gaza is by land. (REU 3/24)

During a phone call, French president Emmanuel Macron tells Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu that forced displacement of Palestinians from Rafah would constitute “a war crime” and “strongly condemn[s]” Israel’s seizure of 1,978 acres of Palestinian land in the West Bank announced on 3/22. (AJ, HA 3/24)

U.S. vice president Kamala Harris says in an interview the U.S. is “ruling out nothing” in terms of how the U.S. might respond if Israel invades Rafah. (AJ, HA, NYT 3/24; AJ 3/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raid Arab al-Milehat, stealing nearly 30 sheep. Israeli forces uproot 50 trees in Sarta while preparing to build a settler road. Israeli forces also raid Jenin, assaulting 2 Palestinians. Israeli forces arrest 15 Palestinians during raids in and around Hebron, Nablus, Jericho, Jenin, and Ramallah. In Jerusalem, Israelis raid and vandalize a Muslim shrine, declaring it a Jewish holy site. Israeli forces install a watchtower fitted with surveillance camaras at the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Rafah, Dayr al-Balah, and Beit Lahiya, killing at least 86 people. Israeli forces also kill 10 Palestinians waiting to receive aid in Gaza City. The Red Crescent evacuates 24 people from al-Amal Hospital and delivers water and food to the hospital. In Lebanon, Hezbollah attacks Israeli forces in Manara and Malkia. Israeli forces kill 2 Hezbollah members near the Syrian border. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/25; AJ, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 2/26)

More than 29,692 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 12,000 children and 7,200 women, and around 69,879 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 399 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 102 children. More than 4,545 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, 237 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,396 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. 94 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. (WAFA 2/25; UNOCHA, UNOCHA 2/26)

The Israeli military says it has withdrawn from the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. (AJ 2/25)

The Gaza Media Office accuses Israel of 19 different war crimes, including deliberate killings, torture, forced displacement, hostage-taking, using hunger as a weapon of war, bombing homes, schools, and places of worship, targeting heritage sites, and targeting medical centers. (AJ 2/25)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas meets Jordanian king Abdullah II in Amman. (WAFA 2/25)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells CBS News that the Israeli invasion of Rafah will happen regardless of a ceasefire deal, saying a deal would only delay the invasion. The war cabinet discusses the plans for the ground invasion of Rafah and ceasefire negotiations. An Israeli delegation is said to be traveling to Doha for continued talks next week. Israel’s Channel 12 News reports that Netanyahu added a new demand to the recently concluded U.S., Israeli, Egyptian, and Qatari ceasefire talks, stipulating that high-profile prisoners released in the exchange are deported to Qatar. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says Israel will continue attacking Lebanon even if a ceasefire deal is reached in Gaza. (AP, NYT 2/24; AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU 2/25; AJ, AJ, HA, WAFA 2/26)

Aaron Bushnell, an active-duty soldier from the U.S. Air Force wearing his uniform self-immolates outside of the Israeli embassy in Washington D.C. In a livestream, Bushnell says that he “no longer will be complicit in genocide” and that he is doing an extreme act of protest which he says is not extreme in comparison to what people are experiencing in Palestine “at the hands of the colonizers.” As he burns, he chants “free Palestine.” Bushnell later dies in hospital. Bushnell is the second person to self-immolate outside of an Israeli diplomatic post in the U.S. An unidentified woman holding a Palestinian flag self-immolated outside of the Israeli consulate in Atlanta in December 2023. (AJ, HA, NYT 2/25; AJ, AJ, AP, WAFA 2/26; AP 2/27)

UN General Assembly president Dennis Francis calls on UN members to provide “sustainable and predictable financial and political support” to UNRWA. UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini says food aid has not been delivered to northern Gaza since 1/23. (AJ, WAFA 2/25; AJ 2/26

The information ministers of the OIC hold an extraordinary session in Turkey, condemning Israel’s genocide in Gaza and calling for an unconditional ceasefire. (WAFA 2/24; AJ, WAFA 2/25)

Haaretz reports that the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority is refusing to grant visas to employees of international NGOs operating in the West Bank and Gaza. (HA 2/25)

The New York Times says it is reviewing Israeli freelance journalist Anat Schwartz, who has contributed to the Times’ coverage of Hamas, for liking a tweet on X calling for turning Gaza “into a slaughterhouse.” (AJ 2/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian shepherd in Burqa. Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian child during a raid in Beita. Israeli forces also shoot and injure 6 Palestinians with live ammunition during a raid in Beit Furik. Elsewhere, Israeli forces arrest 11 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Sinjil, and Tulkarm; 3 vehicles and NIS 2,800 are seized during the raid in Sinjil. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Rafah, Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City, Jabalia refugee camp, and Khan Yunis, killing at least 107 people. Israeli forces also shoot 21 people outside of the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. Meanwhile, Israeli forces raid al-Amal Hospital, arresting several medical workers and patients. Israeli tanks also fire at al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City, causing damage. In Lebanon, Hezbollah attacks 5 Israeli military sites in Shebaa Farms, al-Malikiyah, and Blida. Israeli forces bomb Maroun al-Ras, Dhayra, al-Jibin, and Yarin. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/9) HA 11:04)

More than 27,947 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 11,500 children and 7,200 women, and around 67,459 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 384 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 97 children. More than 4,432 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, 225 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,314 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. Israelis block aid trucks from entering Egypt via the Nitzana crossing. 7 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. The Gaza Health Ministry says Israeli forces have killed 340 health personnel, arrested 99, and destroyed 123 ambulances since 10/7/2023. UNRWA says a contractor facilitating aid shipments at the Ashdod port will no longer work with the agency, citing instructions from the Israeli government. (AJ, AP, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 2/9; AJ, HA 2/11; UNOCHA 2/12)

Israel confirms its military killed a captive held in Gaza in an airstrike in January. (AJ, HA 2/9)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders the Israeli military to prepare to move ground forces to Rafah and to evacuate the city. PA ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour tells the Arab Group of ambassadors at the UN that the PA will not allow Palestinians to be forcefully displaced to Egypt, saying it is working with the UN Security Council to prevent the ground invasion. President Mahmoud Abbas says the U.S. and Israel bear full responsibility for the consequences of moving the ground troops to Rafah. UN General Assembly president Dennis Francis expresses shock and deep dismay over the Israeli plans. EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borell calls the plans “alarming.” Human Rights Watch says the evacuation of Palestinians in Rafah would have “catastrophic consequences.” Amnesty International says “Palestinians in Gaza are at grave risk of genocide.” Dutch foreign minister Hanke Bruins Slot says an Israeli ground force attack on Rafah would be “unjustifiable.” UK foreign secretary David Cameron, Canadian foreign minister Melenie Joly, and German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock express deep concern over the Israeli plans. Saudi Arabia and Qatar call on the UN Security Council to convene over the announcement.  (AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/9; AJ, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA 2/10; AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/11; REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/12; WAFA 2/13)

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, the UAE, and Jordan and PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh meet in Riyadh to discuss the situation in Gaza. (AJ, HA, REU 2/9)

UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini says he did not give due process to the 9 staffers he fired after Israeli allegations that they aided in Operation Al-Aqsa Flood because he determined that UNRWA’s reputation was at stake. (AJ 2/11)

U.S. president Joe Biden meets with German chancellor Olaf Scholz at the White House, discussing the situation in Gaza. (HA 2/9; HA 2/10)

EU diplomats say Hungary and Czechia are stalling EU efforts to impose sanctions on Israeli settlers. (HA, REU 2/9)

Kan reports that Israeli forces have stolen more than 350 bodies from Gaza, allegedly to determine if they are captives. (AJ 2/9)

The credit rating agency Moody’s downgrades Israel’s credit rating from A1 to A2, citing Israel’s war on Gaza. (AJ, HA, NYT, REU 2/9; HA 2/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces assault 4 Palestinians, including a medic, during a raid in Fahma. Israeli forces deliver demolition notices for 11 residential and agricultural structures in the Abu Nawar Bedouin community near ‘Anata. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces prevent Palestinians from reaching the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Rafah, Khan Yunis, Jabalia refugee camp, Beit Lahiya, and Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 183 people. Israeli forces also open fire at Palestinians fleeing from Khan Yunis to Rafah and fire tank shells at al-Amal Hospital. The Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis suffers a complete electricity blackout as it is besieged by Israeli forces for the fifth day in a row. In Lebanon, Israeli forces strike Bayt Lif and Deir Aames, killing 2 people and injuring 4 in Bayt Lif. Hezbollah says it attacked 2 Israeli bases near the Blue Line. In the Red Sea, the Houthi movement says its forces attacked a UK-owned oil tanker.  (AJ, AP, AP, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/26)

More than 26,083 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 10,600 children and 7,200 women, and around 64,110 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 365 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 92 children. More than 4,354 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, 219 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,269 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 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 68 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah crossing. Israelis block the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing for the third day in a row, forcing aid trucks to reroute to Egypt. The UN says the assessment mission to northern Gaza, announced by U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken on 1/9, has not been carried out. (AJ, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 1/26; AJ 1/27)

Israel orders Palestinians in several neighborhoods of Khan Yunis to flee to al-Mawasi. (AJ 1/26)

The ICJ rules that there is a basis to further investigate the South African genocide case against Israel and that the ICJ has jurisdiction to hear the case. The court issues 6 provisional measures: 1) Israel must take all possible measures to prevent acts as outlined in Article 2 of the Genocide Convention, including not killing members of a particular group [Palestinians], not causing physical or psychological harm to members of that group, not inflicting living conditions which are calculated to bring about the end of the existence of a people, and not carrying out acts to precent the births within the group. 2) Israel must ensure its military does not carry out any of the actions outlined in measure 1. 3) Israel must prevent and punish incitement to commit genocide. 4) Israel must ensure the delivery of basic services and essential humanitarian aid. 5) Israel must prevent the destruction of evidence of war crimes and allow fact-finding missions access. 6) Israel must submit a report on all steps taken to abide by the measures within 1 month. 4 of the orders are approved by 15 of the 17 judges, while 2 of the measures are approved by 16 of the 17 judges. The only judge to vote against all measures is Judge Julia Sebutinde of Uganda. Aharon Barak, the judge representing Israel, votes for measures 3 and 4. The measures issued by the court fall short of South Africa’s demand for a ceasefire. Hamas welcomes the ICJ orders and calls on the international community to force Israel to implement the decisions. PA ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour calls the measures against Israel “historic.” South Africa calls the ruling a “decisive victory.” Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructs his ministers not to comment on the ICJ decision and calls the ruling “outrageous.” The U.S. State Department says the ICJ did not “make a finding about genocide” despite the court specifically saying that it is continuing its trial of Israel on charges of genocide. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Malaysia, Qatar, Spain, Ireland, Scotland, Belgium, and the AU welcome the ICJ ruling. Turkey and Egypt express disappointment that the court did not call for a ceasefire. (AP, NYT 1/25; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/26; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/27; AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA 1/28; HA 1/29)

PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh calls on the international community and the UN Security Council to stop Israeli efforts to create a new buffer zone in Israel, saying Israel is razing homes and agricultural lands in 20% of Gaza. (AJ, WAFA 1/26)

Israel alleges that 12 UNRWA employees took part in or aided the attack on 10/7/2023 based on Shin Bet interrogations of Palestinian detainees and phone tracking. UNRWA announces an investigation and says it has terminated the contracts of the 9 of the staffers, with further investigations into 2 other staffers. 1 staff has been killed. The U.S., Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, Finland, Australia, Italy, and the UK say they have paused additional funding to UNRWA while they are reviewing the allegations and UN’s steps to address them. The PA calls on the countries that suspended funding to reverse their decisions. Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf calls the suspension of funding for UNRWA collective punishment. UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini calls the aid suspensions “shocking,” saying they are based on the “alleged behavior of a few individuals.” Ireland and Norway express support for UNRWA. (AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, NYT, NYT 1/26; AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, WAFA 1/27; HA, HA, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/28; AP, REU, REU, REU 1/29)

Hamas releases a video of 3 captives who call on the Israeli government to stop the war on Gaza and secure their release, saying other captives held with them have been killed in Israeli airstrikes. (AJ, HA, HA 1/26)

U.S. president Joe Biden speaks with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani about another temporary ceasefire in Gaza. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby says the White House is doing “everything we can to facilitate another hostage deal,” and that National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk returns to the U.S. after discussions with Qatar and Egypt. Axios reports that on 1/19 Biden said in a call with Prime Minister Netanyahu that he wants Israel to end its war on Gaza soon. A Biden advisor tells Axios that the White House is concerned about losing young voters who are opposed to Biden’s policy on the war. (AJ, AX, HA 1/26)