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  • January 22, 2024

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers open fire at Palestinian homes in Jalud. Israeli settlers also begin construction of a settler road on Palestinian-owned land in Battir. Israeli forces shoot and...

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  • December 9, 2023

    In the West Bank, a Palestinian man succumbed to injuries sustained from Israeli forces in al-Fara’a refugee camp on 12/8. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near al-...

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  • December 1, 2023

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Jalud, setting fire to vehicles and throwing stones at homes. Israeli settlers also assaulted Palestinians and stole olive harvest in Khirbet Yanun....

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  • November 25, 2023

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Aqraba, forcing them to flee. Israeli forces raided Jenin, killing 5 people, including a child, and injuring 14, with...

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  • November 9, 2023

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian herders in Kisan with sticks, injuring 2, including a child. Israeli forces killed 14 Palestinians, including a PA officer, during a raid in...

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  • June 24, 2023

    In the West Bank, around 100 Israeli settlers with a military escort raided Umm Safa, attacking Palestinians, including journalists from Palestine TV, setting fire to houses and vehicles, and...

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  • October 2, 2022

    In the West Bank, 1 Israeli soldier was shot and injured during a settler protest near Nablus; it was reported that the Nablus-based Palestinian Lion’s Den militant group took responsibility for...

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  • June 1, 2022

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided al-Juwaya in the Masafer Yatta area, bringing their cattle to graze on wheat and barley crops and assaulting Palestinian herders. Israeli forces shot and...

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  • November 24, 2020

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted and pepper-sprayed 2 Palestinians near Jinsafut. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters headed to Khirbet Humsa, where Israeli...

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  • September 8, 2018

    In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians and issue 5 arrest summons during late-night raids in Hebron and near Jenin; and patrol near Tulkarm and Hebron. Israeli settlers throw stones at...

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  • April 10, 2009

    In the West Bank, the IDF fires live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and percussion grenades at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists taking part in weekly...

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  • July 5, 2007

    The IDF launches a major day-long incursion (including infantry, tanks, bulldozers, air support) into areas of Gaza e. of al-Bureij r.c. and al-Maghazi r.c. to “root out terrorist infrastructures...

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  • June 29, 2007

    In Gaza, the IDF bulldozes Palestinian land nr. the Qarni industrial zone along the border n. of Bayt Hanun. Palestinians fire 7 mortars at IDF troops operating n. of Bayt Hanun, causing no...

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  • December 12, 2005

    Before dawn, the IDF sends undercover units into Nablus to arrest 6 Palestinians, including PA General Intelligence officer Amjad Mus‘ad; in the evening, fires 27 artillery rounds at n. Gaza in...

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  • August 12, 2004

    The IDF makes a predawn raid on Rafah, shelling residential areas, demolishing 10 Palestinian homes and a carpentry workshop; during the operation, 1 IDF soldier is wounded by a Palestinian sniper...

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  • January 16, 2003

    The IDF halts a PRCS ambulance outside Ramallah, orders medics to unload the vehicle and change the tires, seriously beats 1 paramedic, who requires hospitalization; demolishes 2 storage sheds in...

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  • November 17, 2002

    Israeli PM Ariel Sharon visits Hebron, calls for the expanding of Jewish settlements in and around Hebron to create “settlement contiguity” btwn. 4 Jewish enclaves in He-...

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  • November 2, 2002

    The IDF arrests 2 Palestinians with explosives at an IDF checkpoint in the West Bank, apparently averting a suicide bombing; conducts arrest raids in Jenin; blows up a “suspicious looking”...

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  • October 28, 2002

    The IDF fatally shoots a 16-yr-old Palestinian boy in Tulkarm r.c.; halts an ambulance outside Jenin, detains 2 Palestinian dialysis patients returning fr. treatment (1 blind; 1...

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  • September 12, 2002

    The IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes nr. Gaza City, damaging 8 others; halts an ambulance nr. Nablus, taking a relative of the patient into custody; fires tear gas at PRCS property...

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  • June 25, 2002

    Before dawn, the IDF sends troops into Palestinian areas in and around Hebron, storming the local PA headquarters, demolishing 1 building in the compound, killing 4 PSF officers,...

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  • May 23, 2002

    A remote-controlled bomb blows up a diesel truck parked outside a major refinery nr. Tel Aviv. Israeli authorities call it a failed attempt by Palestinians to create a catastrophic explosion. No...

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  • April 14, 2002

    In Bethlehem, IDF soldier conducting house-to-house searches blow the door off an apartment without warning, killing a Palestinian woman. The IDF allows 1 PRCS ambulance into Jenin r.c. to collect...

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  • March 2, 2002

    An AMB suicide bomber detonates a device in an ultraorthodox Jewish neighborhood of Beit Israel in West Jerusalem, killing 9 Israelis, including 5 children, and wounding 40. The PA "fully"...

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  • February 18, 2002

    Israeli-Palestinian violence leaves a total of 6 Palestinians, 3 Jewish settlers, 1 IDF soldier dead. In Gaza, the IDF fires on 2 Palestinians allegedly attempting to infiltrate a Jewish...

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  • August 24, 2001

    In Nablus, the IDF fires missiles at a car driven by senior Fatah mbr. Jihad Mussaimi in an apparent assassination attempt. Mussaimi and several bystanders are injured. Following a Palestinian...

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  • August 23, 2001

    In Nablus, the IDF fires missiles at a car driven by senior Fatah mbr. Jihad Mussaimi in an apparent assassination attempt. Mussaimi and several bystanders are injured. Following a Palestinian...

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  • July 13, 2001

    Israeli-Palestinian violence escalates, leaving 2 Palestinians dead. After a 2d Jewish settler wounded on 7/12 dies of his injuries, the IDF sends tanks, armored personnel carriers, heavy machine...

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  • July 9, 2001

    The IDF demolishes at least 14 Palestinian homes in Shu`fat refugee camp in East Jerusalem in the largest demolition campaign in the city in recent yrs., leaving 150 Palestinians homeless,...

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  • May 16, 2001

    Israeli-Palestinian clashes, now in their 8th mo., continue, with Israel Defense Force (IDF) increasingly striking Palestinian targets and entering areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority (...

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In the West Bank, Israeli settlers open fire at Palestinian homes in Jalud. Israeli settlers also begin construction of a settler road on Palestinian-owned land in Battir. Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian child during a raid in Arrabah. Israeli forces also shoot and injure a 9-year-old Palestinian in Kobar. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian during a raid in Dura. Israeli forces also raid a home in al-Minya, vandalizing it and seizing money and a vehicle. Meanwhile, Israeli forces issue stop-work orders for 3 agricultural structures in Khallet al-Farn in the Masafer Yatta area. In Gaza, mobile phone services are cut off again after they were partially restored on 1/19, internet services have been cut off since 1/12. Israeli forces bomb Khan Yunis, Jabalia refugee camp, al-Bureij refugee camp, Gaza City, and Rafah, killing at least 190 people, including more than 65 people in Khan Yunis. Israeli forces storm al-Khair Hospital in Khan Yunis, arresting medical staff. Israeli forces also surround the Red Crescent ambulance headquarters in Khan Yunis, preventing ambulances from rescuing wounded people. Meanwhile, Israeli forces exhume graves at a cemetery in Khan Yunis. Hamas says Israeli forces bombed their own tank after it is incapacitated by Hamas fighters, suggesting that Israeli soldiers were still in the tank when Israel bombed it. A water treatment plant in Gaza floods with sewage water after being hit by Israeli bombs. 21 Israeli soldiers placing mines in 10 homes near Maghazi are killed when Palestinian militants fire rocket-propelled grenades at a tank at the site, causing the mines to explode while the soldiers are in the building. 3 other Israeli soldiers are killed in combat. In Lebanon, Hezbollah fires rockets at Israeli troops in Even Manachem and Shebaa Farms. Israeli forces attack several places, including Taybeh, Marwahin, Chihine, Tayr Harfa, Kafr Kila, and al-Adisa. In Yemen, U.S. and UK forces attack 8 Houthi-linked sites. The Houthis say their forces attacked a U.S. military cargo ship; the U.S. denies the claim. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/22; AJ, AP, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA 1/23; HA 1/24)

More than 25,295 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 10,600 children and 7,200 women, and around 63,000 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 363 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 92 children. More than 4,310 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 1,232 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. 154 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings. The WHO delivers fuel to al-Shifa Hospital. (UNOCHA, UNOCHA 1/22; UNOCHA 1/23; UNOCHA 1/24)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh meets with UN humanitarian relief coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag, calling on her to pressure Israel to open all entry points to Gaza to get sufficient relief in. Shtayyeh also calls on the international community to impose sanctions on Israel during the weekly PA cabinet meeting. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA 1/22)

The Arab League holds an extraordinary meeting on the situation in Palestine, issuing a statement calling on Israel not to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza, allow more aid into Gaza, and discussing ways to end Israeli attacks. (WAFA 1/22)

20 relatives of Israeli captives held in Gaza storm a Knesset committee session, demanding that Israel does more to get their relatives back. The Israeli Labor Party brings forward a no confidence motion against the Israeli government which receives 18 out of 61 required votes in support. Coalition parties boycott the vote. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, NYT, REU 1/22; HA 1/23)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant tells French defense minister Sebastien Lacornu that Israel may continue striking Lebanon even if Hezbollah enters a unilateral ceasefire, saying Israel will secure a safe return of the northern Israeli communities. Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich says Israel must “dramatically increase the intensity of the war” on Gaza during a meeting of his Religious Zionist Party. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir says at a meeting of his Jewish Power Party that if the government decides to stop the war on Gaza he will leave the coalition. (AJ, HA 1/22)

EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borell calls on Israel to tell the world what it envisions if it does not want a 2-state solution, saying “[w]hich are the other solution they have in mind? To make all the Palestinians leave? To kill off them?” A discussion paper sent to EU countries ahead of a meeting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict shows that the EU is planning to call for a “preparatory peace conference” to be organized by the EU, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the Arab League. Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz shows EU foreign ministers a video of an envisioned artificial island off the coast of Gaza he suggests can be a place for Palestinians to live. Borell says Katz evaded talking about the pertinent issues and suggests he could use his time spent with EU foreign ministers better. EU foreign ministers also meet with PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki and the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, discussing the situation in Gaza. A spokesperson for UK prime minister Rishi Sunak calls Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of a 2-state solution “disappointing.” (HA 1/21; AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/22; WAFA 1/23)

Axios reports that Israel has suggested a 2-month ceasefire that would see 130 Hamas-held captives released in exchange for the release of a number of Palestinian prisoners. During the ceasefire period, Israeli forces would leave major population areas allowing some Palestinians to return to Gaza City and further north. U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby says negotiations on a ceasefire deal are ongoing as National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk arrives in Egypt for the talks. (AJ, AX, HA, REU, REU 1/22; AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU 1/23)

The American pro-Israel lobby group J Street says “time has come for diplomacy” to end the war on Gaza. The U.S. labor union Service Employees International Union calls for a ceasefire. (AJ 1/22)

Columbia University bars several people from its campus who are alleged to have sprayed skunk water on pro-Palestine demonstrators on 1/19, calling the act a possible hate crime. (AJ 1/23)

Data collected by Morning Consult shows that out of 43 countries surveyed, 42 countries view Israel less favorable now than before 10/7/2023. According to the data, the net favorability globally dropped 18.5% between September and December 2023. (HA 1/22)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian man succumbed to injuries sustained from Israeli forces in al-Fara’a refugee camp on 12/8. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man, claiming he had stabbed an Israeli soldier with a knife during an Israeli raid in Dura. Israeli forces also shot and killed a Palestinian child during a raid in ‘Azzun. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities delivered evacuation orders to several Palestinian families living on around 9 dunams (2.2 acres) of land in the Moroccan Gate area of the Old City, giving them 60 days to file objections. In Gaza, Israeli forces bombed Rafah, Khan Yunis, Nuseirat refugee camp, Gaza City Dayr al-Balah, Maghazi, Jabaliya refugee camp, and al-Bureij refugee camp, killing more than 200 people. Israel continued its siege of al-Awda Hospital in Jabalia refugee camp for the third day in a row, injuring 2 health workers. Israeli forces also shot and injured 2 paramedics in an ambulance outside of the European Hospital in Khan Yunis. The Red Crescent delivered medical supplies to al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City and evacuated 19 patients; 1 of the patients died during the evacuation and 1 Red Crescent staffer was beaten and interrogated for 4 hours by Israeli forces. 4 Israeli soldiers were killed in combat. In Tzrifin, an Israeli soldier was injured after being hit by a car; 2 were arrested, including a man from Rahat and a man from Qalqilya in the West Bank. In Lebanon, Israel attacked several targets and Hezbollah said it had attacked an Israeli naval base. In the Red Sea, France said a French warship had shot down 2 drones near Yemen. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/9; AJ, AP 12/10)

More than 17,700 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. The World Food Programme reported that 91% of Palestinians in Gaza were experiencing hunger, with 36% experiencing severe hunger. The Palestinian Civil Defense said it only had 1 vehicle left operating in northern Gaza. Around 100 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 12/9)

Haaretz reported that the autopsy reports for at least 2 of the 6 Palestinian prisoners that have died in Israeli detention since 10/7 showed that their bodies were bruised and had broken bones, suggesting that violence may have killed them. (HA 12/9)

Videos by Israeli soldiers of Palestinians in the underwear surrendering to Israeli forces in Jabalia refugee camps circulated in the media. However, the videos were reportedly staged as in 1 video a man is shown surrendering a weapon while holding it in his right hand while a nearly identical video shows the same man surrendering a weapon while holding it in his left hand. Videos of Israeli soldiers vandalizing Palestinian property and raising Israeli flags in Gaza also circulated. (HA, UNOCHA 12/9; AJ, HA, UNOCHA 12/10; HA 12/11)

Responding to videos of hundreds of Palestinians detained by Israeli forces in Gaza stripped to their underwear, advisor to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mark Regev, said the Middle East is warmer than Europe so “to be asked to take off your shirt, it might not be pleasant, but it is not the end of the world.” Israel later claimed that 10-15% of the Palestinians in the videos were Hamas operatives or identified with the Hamas. Israeli national security advisor Tzachi Hanegbi claimed that Israel has killed 7,000 members of Palestinian militant groups during its attacks on Gaza. Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant visited Israeli soldiers in northern Gaza. (HA 12/9; AJ, HA 12/10)

A UN official said Israel was testing the screening process for the delivery of aid to Gaza through the Karim Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing. (HA, REU 12/9)

The PA issued corrections to an interview given by Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh to Bloomberg News on 12/7, saying Shtayyeh had not said that the PA and the U.S. were discussing “a plan to manage Gaza.” (WAFA 12/9)

The foreign ministers of the PA, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia met with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa. (WAFA 12/9; AJ 12/10)

German chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu, calling for more aid to be delivered to Gaza and expressing concern over settler violence. (HA 12/9)

Yemen’s Houthi-led government said it would prevent Israeli ships and ships traveling to Israeli ports from operating near Yemeni maritime borders but would respect other international seafaring. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT 12/9; HA 12/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Jalud, setting fire to vehicles and throwing stones at homes. Israeli settlers also assaulted Palestinians and stole olive harvest in Khirbet Yanun. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers raided a store in al-Zawiya, vandalizing it and steal items. Israeli settlers also threatened Palestinians in the al-Ka’abneh community near Jericho with death if they did not flee their village; the settlers threw stones at Palestinians, vandalized a vehicle and stole another. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers with military escort also attacked Palestinians in Qarawat Bani Hassan, stealing cash and vandalizing property. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian shepherds in the Masafer Yatta area and vandalized 50 olive trees in Qusra. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 child during a riad in Sa’ir. East Jerusalem, Israeli forces sealed off the family homes in Sur Baher of 2 Palestinians who were killed after they shot and killed 3 Israelis in West Jerusalem on 11/30 in preparation for punitive demolitions. In Gaza, Israeli forces killed at least 180 Palestinians and injured more than 589 after the ceasefire expired at 7 a.m, including a family of 5 fleeing northern Gaza to the south on Salah al-Din Street and in bombardments on Rafah, al-Maghazi refugee camp. Israeli forces also bombed an ambulance outside of al-Shifa hospital, killing 2 paramedics. Elsewhere, Israeli forces attacked al-Awda Hostpial, causing damage and dropped leaflets in al-Qarara, Khuza’a, Abasan, and Bani Suheila, telling Palestinians to flee to Rafah. Rockets and mortar shells were fired at Israel, injuring 5 soldiers in Nirim. In Lebanon, Israeli forces shelled Hula, killing 2 civilians and 1 member of Hezbollah. Rockets were fired from Lebanon at Israel. In Yemen, Israeli forces reportedly attacked a missile warehouse in Saana. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AX, HA, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/1; AJ, UNOCHA 12/2)

More than 15,180 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 6,150 children and 4,000 women, and around 37,000 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 242 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 63 children. More than 3,200 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. 75 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.8 million Palestinians, nearly 80% 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 11/18, at least 45,000 housing units had been destroyed and 233,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. The Red Crescent said Israeli forces prevented aid trucks from entering Gaza via the Rafah crossing. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said 67 Palestinian journalists had been killed by Israel since 10/7. UNRWA reported a Hepatitis A outbreak at 1 of its shelters. (AJ, AJ, AX, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA 12/1; AJ 12/2)

Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. said they were working on reinstating the ceasefire which expired at 7 a.m. Israel confirmed that 4 captives held by Hamas had died. The U.S. parroted Israel’s explanation for the not extending the ceasefire, saying that Hamas did not produce a list of captives for exchange. Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said he told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to announce that Israel will not negotiate another ceasefire until all captives are released from Gaza. Hamas said it was Israel who undermined extending the ceasefire by rejecting 3 separate options presented to them by mediators, but that Israel had already decided to resume its attacks. The PA said it held the U.S. responsible for the resumption of Israeli attacks on Gaza. Israel said that Hamas still holds 137 captives, including 4 from before 10/7. During the temporary ceasefire 240 Palestinians, 107 children and 133 adults, including 65 18-year-olds and 68 women, were exchanged for 105 captives held by Hamas. 75% of the Palestinians were not convicted of a crime, most were arrested within the past year with 37 since 10/7. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AX, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/1; HA 12/3)

Israel published a map of Gaza dividing it into hundreds of small parcels, saying it will notify Palestinian civilians to leave the parcels when Israel intends to attack them. (AJ, UNOCHA 12/1)

Addameer said conditions in Israeli prisons had deteriorated significantly since 10/7, noting that 6 Palestinians had died and that prisoners are denied medical care, electricity, family and lawyer visits, and sufficient food and water. The UN Human Rights Office in the occupied Palestinian territories expressed concern over the “massive rise in the number of Palestinians arrested and detained, the number of reports of ill-treatment and humiliations suffered by those in custody, and the reported failure to adhere to basic due process.” (AJ, HA, REU, UNOCHA 12/1)

Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Israel “must return to and crush Gaza with all our might.” (AJ 12/1)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken claimed that Israel had taken steps to minimize civilian causalities by telling Palestinians in Gaza where they can go to safe zones. Blinken also spoke with Israeli strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer calling on Israel to allow the same amount of aid into Gaza as during the ceasefire period. (HA 12/1; AX 12/2)

Reuters said Israel had informed Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia that it intends to create a buffer zone in Gaza. The 4 countries reportedly opposed Israel’s plans. Reuters also reported that the U.S. has told Israel that it will impose visa bans on violent Israeli settlers in the coming weeks.  (AJ, HA, REU 12/1; AJ, REU 12/2; HA 12/3)

1 person self-immolated outside of the Israeli consulate in Atlanta. Authorities said a Palestinian flag was recovered at the scene. The individual was said to be in critical condition. The Israeli consul general in Atlanta Anat Sultan-Dadon called the self-immolation an act of hate towards Israel. (AJ, HA, NYT 12/1; AJ 12/2)

The UN said Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East peace process Lynn Hastings would be replaced after Israel refused to renew her visa. UN secretary-general spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said “[w]e need to make sure that there’s agreement and everybody is ok with the people we send,” calling Israeli slander against Hastings “unacceptable.”  (AJ, HA 12/1)

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez spoke with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz, saying Israel had a right to defend itself but said they civilian death toll in Gaza was unbearable. (AJ 12/1)

The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. had provided Israel with BLU-09 bunker busting bombs weighing 2,000 pounds each. The Journal said the U.S. had provided Israel with 15,000 bombs and 57,000 artillery shells since 10/7. (AJ 12/1; AJ 12/2)

The United Auto Workers union in the U.S., representing 400,000 people, called for the U.S. to pressure Israel to end its war in Gaza. (AJ, HA 12/1)

The New York Times reported that staff at the World Food Programme were angered at Executive Director Cindy McCain’s timid response to the situation in Gaza and that she had compromised the neutrality of the organization by sharing a stage on 11/18 with former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak as a prize named after her late husband John McCain was awarded to the “People of Israel.” (NYT 12/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Aqraba, forcing them to flee. Israeli forces raided Jenin, killing 5 people, including a child, and injuring 14, with 1 death and 11 injuries resulting from an airstrike. Israeli forces prevented the Palestinian Red Crescent from reaching the injured and put the Jenin Governmental Hospital and the Ibn Sina Hospital under siege. Israeli forces also shot and killed 2 Palestinians, including a child, near al-Bireh and in Qabatiya. Israeli forces also shot and injured 6 Palestinians, including 2 children, during raids in Qarawat Bani Hassan, Burqa, al-Arroub refugee camp, Qabatiya, and Beit Umar. Elsewhere, Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians gathered near the Ofer Prison, dropping tear gas from drones, shooting 3, including a child, with live ammunition, and opened fire at a Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance near the Ofer Prison, causing damage. Israeli forces also razed 100 dunams (25 acres) of land east of Qalqilya, uprooting 150 olive trees. 17 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Askar refugee camp, Jenin, Hebron, Qalqilya, and Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israel forced a Palestinian family to demolish their own home in Jabel Mukaber, displacing 4 people. In Lebanon, Israeli forces opened fire at a UNIFIL vehicle; no injuries were reported. Israel also said it had shot down a surface-to-air missile launched from Lebanon. In the Red Sea, Israel said it had intercepted a drone. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/25; AJ 11/26)

The Gaza Media Office did not update the casualty numbers, leaving the comprehensive death toll as of 11/23 at around 14,800 Palestinians, including 6,000 children and 4,000 women, and around 35,000 injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 229 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 56 children. More than 2,885 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. 75 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.7 million Palestinians, more than 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 11/18, at least 45,000 housing units had been destroyed and 233,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. 187 trucks carrying aid, 4 trucks carrying diesel, and 4 trucks carrying cooking oil entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. 61 trucks carrying aid entered northern Gaza. The Committee to Protect Journalists said 57 journalists have been killed since 10/7, including 50 Palestinians, 3 Lebanese, and 4 Israelis. Gaza’s Media Office said the number of Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza was 67. The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club said Israel has arrested 3,160 Palestinians since 10/7. Around 400 people fled northern Gaza to the south. 17 wounded Palestinians and their companions and 25 foreign nationals were evacuated to Egypt (AJ, HA, NYT, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 11/25)

39 Palestinian prisoners were released from the Damon, Megiddo, and Ofer prisons on the second day of the prisoner exchange. 13 Israelis and 4 Thai nationals were released. The exchange was delayed by 7 hours as Hamas said Israel had violated the agreement by only allowing half the agreed number of aid trucks to enter northern Gaza and not releasing Palestinians who had been imprisoned for a longer period than 2 years. Israel said the UN was responsible for the lack of aid deliveries. Before the exchange took place, Israel threatened that it would start bombing Gaza at midnight if the issues were not resolved. Egypt said it had received positive signals from both sides that the ceasefire could be extended beyond the initial 4-day period. A delegation of Qatari intelligence officers arrived in Israel to ensure the exchange process continues “smoothly” and to discuss a possible extension of the ceasefire. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AX, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA 11/25; AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU 11/26)

The Tulkarm Brigades said it had executed 2 Palestinian men, saying they were collaborators with Israel giving information that led to the killing of 3 Palestinians by Israeli forces on 11/6. The group released a video on Telegram that purportedly showed the 2 men confessing to working with Israeli intelligence. The group also said that anyone who had been working with Israel had until 12/5 to come forward. The bodies of the executed men were reportedly hung from an electric pole. (AP, HA, REU 11/25)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant visited Israeli soldiers in Gaza. (HA 11/25)

The New York Times said that in the first 2 weeks of the Israeli attacks on Gaza 90% of the bombs Israel stuck Gaza with were 1,000-2,000-pound U.S. made satellite-guided bombs, citing a senior U.S. military official. U.S. military officials said that 500-pound bombs were too large to target urban areas. The Times also said that Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed more Palestinians faster than in any other conflict in the 21st century. A former U.S. intelligence analyst said the Israeli attacks were comparable to those in the Vietnam War and World War II. (NYT 11/25)

3 Palestinian university students wearing kaffiyehs were shot and seriously wounded in Burlington, Vermont. A 48-year-old man was later arrested for the attack. (AJ 11/25; AJ, HA, REU 11/26; AJ, AJ, REU 11/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian herders in Kisan with sticks, injuring 2, including a child. Israeli forces killed 14 Palestinians, including a PA officer, during a raid in Jenin and Jenin refugee camp. During the raid Israeli forces opened fire at ambulances, used drones to attack buildings with airstrikes, and used 4 bulldozers to raze paved streets. Israeli forces also shot and killed 4 Palestinians during raids in al-Am’ari refugee camp, Balata refugee camp, Hebron, and Bethlehem. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and injured 69 Palestinians during raids in Bethlehem, Beit Furik, Aqraba, Ni’lin, Jenin, Balata refugee camp, and al-Bireh. Israeli forces also displaced 20 Palestinian families from their homes in Khirbet Tana, demolishing homes and destroying beehives. 50 Palestinians, mostly people from Gaza working in Israel before 10/7, were arrested in Barta’a. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed 243 Palestinians and injured around 430 others. Israeli airstrikes targeted the vicinity of al-Nasr Hospital, al-Awda Hospital, the Indonesian Hospital, and al-Shifa Hospital, killing at least 3 people and causing significant damage to the hospitals and 2 ambulances.  Israeli said it assassinated Hamas member Ibrahim Abu-Ma’asiv in an airstrike. 2 Israeli soldiers were killed in Gaza. In South Lebanon, anti-tank missiles were fired at Israel and Israel attacked Lebanon. In Eilat, Israel said a drone launched from Syria damaged a school in Eilat. Israel also said it deployed its Arrow 3 missile defense system for the first time to intercept a surface-to-surface missile fired at Eilat, reportedly from Yemen. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/9; AJ, AJ, HA, REU 11/10)

The Ministry of Health in Gaza said at least 10,818 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,412 children and 2,918 women, and 26,905 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 2,450 people were buried in rubble, including 1,350 children. 173 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 46 children. More than 2,492 people have been injured. Around 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 injured since 10/7. 35 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began. 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. 65 trucks carrying aid to Gaza and 7 ambulances entered via the Rafah crossing. 12 injured Palestinians and 695 foreign passport holders were evacuated from Gaza to Egypt. Around 50,000 people fled north Gaza to the south, bringing the total number to 122,000 since 11/5. UNRWA launched a flash appeal for $481 million to address the humanitarian needs in Gaza and the West Bank. (AJ, AP, HA, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 11/9; WAFA 11/10)

The PA Finance Ministry said it returned its tax revenue to Israel due to Israel deducting $600 million Israel said is earmarked for administrative expenses in Gaza. (WAFA 11/9)

Israel arrested High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel chairperson Mohammed Barakeh and former MKs Haneen Zoabi, Sami Abou Shehadeh, and Mtanes Shehadeh who were planning to attend a small anti-war protest in Nazareth. Since Israel has banned large anti-war protests, Barakeh said he had told Nazereth police that he and 40 others would rally together, leading to his arrest. Protesters later demonstrated against the arrests of the Palestinian leaders outside of a police station in Tel Aviv; 15 were arrested. After the Palestinian leaders were released, Abou Shahadeh said he was arrested for “being a Palestinian citizen calling to end the war. By contrast, If I were a Jewish citizen calling for a genocide of Palestinians I could become a minister.”  (AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA 11/9; NYT 11/10)

Hamas said 1 Israeli soldier held captive in Gaza was killed in an Israeli airstrike. Islamic Jihad released a video of an Israeli child and elderly woman that it said it wanted to release for humanitarian reasons. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, REU 11/9; NYT 11/10)

Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Khaled Mashal arrived in Cairo, reportedly to discuss a prisoner exchange. (AJ, HA 11/9)

During a speech at an aid conference in Paris, PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said that Hamas could not be eliminated because it is not just a military organization but “also an idea.” Shtayyeh also said Israel was waging war against all Palestinians, violating international law. French president Emmanuel Macron, who hosted the conference, said civilians in Gaza must be protected, calling for humanitarian pauses and for countries to work on a ceasefire. Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry complained that the international community has an “imbalance” in its conscience when it ignores Israeli violations of international law. Separately, PA presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh said Israel’s aim is to kill as many Palestinians as possible, referring to the many killed in the West Bank as Israel attacks Gaza. Abu Rudeineh called on the U.S. to force Israel to stop its attacks. PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki met with UK foreign secretary James Cleverly in Riyadh, calling on the UK to help achieve a ceasefire. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/9)

Haaretz reported an increase in Israeli soldiers publishing videos of themselves beating and humiliating Palestinians they have arrested in the West Bank. (HA 11/9)

A report by the UNDP and the ESCWA said Palestinian GDP had shrunk 4% during the first month of Israel’s attacks on Gaza. It projected that if the attacks continue for a second month it will drop by 8.4%, and by 12% if attacks continue for a third month. (AJ, HA 11/9; AJ, AJ, AP, AP 11/10)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesperson Ofir Gendelman tweeted a video he claimed showed Palestinians staging people being injured and evacuated. However, the video was backstage footage from the Lebanese short film The Reality. Gendelman kept the tweet up even after X (formerly known as Twitter) clarified what the video actually showed. (DB 11/9)

U.S. president Joe Biden said Israel had agreed to daily 4-hour pauses in its attacks on Gaza to allow Palestinians in the north to flee south, saying it had taken longer for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to the pauses than he had hoped. Biden also said had asked for longer pauses that would help facilitate the release of captives. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said Palestinians fleeing the north of Gaza should be able to return. Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the pauses a “particularly serious mistake.” Netanyahu clarified in an interview with Fox News that he does not seek to govern Gaza. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU, REU 11/9; AJ, AP, HA, REU 11/10)

The Israeli organization HonestReporting said it had identified CNN, AP, and Reuters contributors who covered the Hamas Operation Al Aqsa Flood on 10/7, claiming they must have had knowledge of the operation prior to it or participated in it. Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz and National Security Minister Ben-Gvir said the journalists should be treated as terrorists. Likud Party MK Danny Danon said the journalist would be added to Israel’s kill list. The New York Times, which employs one of the freelance journalists, called HonestReporting’s allegations “reckless” and said it endangered their journalists in Gaza and Israel. CNN said it cut relations with 1 of the freelance journalists that HonestReporting posted a photo of standing next to Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU 11/9)

CIA director William Burns and Mossad director David Barnea traveled to Doha for meetings with Qatari prime minister Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani regarding a potential prisoner swap. Al Thani reportedly held a meeting with Hamas officials in Qatar on 11/8. (AJ, HA, HA, REU 11/9)

Belgian minister of development cooperation Caroline Gennez said her government was considering recognizing the state of Palestine and would donate $2.1 million in aid to Palestine and $5.3 million to the ICC. (AJ 11/9)

Media workers staged a sit-in demonstration at the New York Times headquarters, criticizing the newspaper’s pro-Israel bias. The American Postal Workers Union called for a ceasefire. (AJ, HA 11/9; AJ 11/10)

The Syrian Aviation Authority said the Damascus International Airport would not reopen for another week. The airport has been closed since 10/12 due to Israeli airstrikes damaging the runway. (HA 11/9)

In the West Bank, around 100 Israeli settlers with a military escort raided Umm Safa, attacking Palestinians, including journalists from Palestine TV, setting fire to houses and vehicles, and throwing stones at vehicles, including an ambulance; 4 Israeli settlers was arrested. 1 Israeli military vehicle was set on fire during the assault on Umm Safa. 1 Israeli soldier was later arrested on suspicion of being an active participant in the settler attacks. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Ras Karkar, injuring 1 Palestinian. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized 6 tents in al-Mughayyir. Israeli settlers also set fire to Palestinian crops in al-Twana and let their sheep graze on crops in Ein al-Beida in the Masafer Yatta area. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers set up 2 mobile homes near Deir Istiya. Israeli settlers also set fire to trees near Sa‘ir. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor who allegedly opened fire at Israeli soldiers at the Qalandia checkpoint. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ya’bad and Arrabah, including 1 minor. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/24; HA, HA, HA 6/25; PCHR 7/6; UNOCHA 7/8)

In Tel Aviv, thousands of Israelis continued the weekly protest against the Israeli government for the 25th Saturday in a row. (HA, HA 6/24)

Israeli military chief of staff Herzl Halevi, Shin Bet director Ronen Bar, and Police commissioner Kobi Shabtai issued a statement calling the Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians “nationalist terror” and claimed that the Israeli military would expend more resources to prevent the attacks and the Shin Bet would increase its usage of administrative detention against Israeli settlers. (HA, REU 6/24; AJ 6/25)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli soldier was shot and injured during a settler protest near Nablus; it was reported that the Nablus-based Palestinian Lion’s Den militant group took responsibility for the shooting; Israeli settlers blocked an entrance to Nablus during the protest in which they demanded more security in Israeli settlements. 1 person opened fire at a taxi and a bus traveling near Beit Furik; 1 taxi driver was injured. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Huwwara, causing damage. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Beit Furik, causing damage. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians in Huwwara, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also assaulted 2 paramedics working for the Palestine Red Crescent Society after stopping their ambulance near Beit Furik. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 1 tractor in al-Farisiya and delivered demolition notices for 8 houses in the Masafer Yatta area. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (HA, HA, JP, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/2; PCHR 10/6; UNOCHA 10/16)

HaMoked reported that Israel is currently holding 798 Palestinians in administrative detention, the highest number since 2008. (AP, HA 10/2)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided al-Juwaya in the Masafer Yatta area, bringing their cattle to graze on wheat and barley crops and assaulting Palestinian herders. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian journalist at a checkpoint in al-Arroub refugee camp while she was on her way to work, claiming she had attempted to carry out a stabbing attack against Israeli soldiers; the woman was left without medical assistance for 20 minutes before a Palestinian ambulance arrived. Later, during her funeral, Israeli forces violently dispersed the funeral procession, critically injuring 1 with live ammunition, moderately injuring 2 with live ammunition, and injuring others with tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 6 others with live ammunition, including 2 who were critically injured during a punitive demolition raid in Ya‘bad; 1 family home of an alleged Palestinian attacker was demolished by Israeli forces using explosives, displacing 6. 1 of the Palestinians critically injured later succumbed to his injuries on 6/11. Elsewhere, Israeli forces handcuffed and detained for 30 minutes 2 Palestinian girls aged 11 and 12 in Hebron, claiming that Israeli settlers had reported that 1 of them carried a knife—an accusation the girls and their father denied. Israeli forces also demolished 8 residential structures and 2 agricultural structures, and seized 3 tents in al-Fakhit and al-Mirkez in the Masafer Yatta area. Separately, Israeli forces also demolished 1 house and 1 agricultural structure in az-Za’ayyem, displacing 5. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work notices for 6 houses and 4 other structures in Marda, despite the homes and structures being in Area B. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 6 Palestinian-owned tractors in the Jordan Valley. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ras Karkar, al-Midya, Beit Sira, Beit Fajjar, ‘Urif, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolished 1 Palestinian-owned house in Isawiya, displacing 8; 1 member of the displaced family had her arm fractured by Israeli forces during the demolition. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinians east of Beit Hanun; no injuries were reported. (AJ, HA, MEE, MEE, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/1; AJ, AP, HA, MDW, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/2; HA 6/3; MEE, UNOCHA 6/4; MEE 6/5; PCHR 6/9; MEE, WAFA 6/11; UNOCHA 6/17)

Israeli forces prevented the executive director of the Bisan Center for Research and Development from traveling to Jordan via the Allenby Bridge for a 2-day UN conference. (WAFA 6/2)

The Knesset passed a preliminary vote 63-14, banning the flying of Palestinian flags at state-funded institutions. Members of Meretz and Joint List voted against the bill. The bill will still have to pass 3 additional votes to become law. During the debate leading to the vote, MK Eli Cohen of Likud told Sami Abu Shehadeh of Joint List that he should “go to Gaza or Jordan.” On the same day, Israeli authorities removed a large Palestinian flag placed next to an Israeli flag with the words “We are destined to live together” from an office building in Tel Aviv. The flags were funded by the Mehazkim movement. (HA, MEMO 5/30; HA, HA 6/1; MEE 6/2; ALM, AP 6/6; REU 6/7; MDW 6/9)

Israeli conducted military drills over the Mediterranean Sea, simulating air strikes on long-range targets in what was described as a message to Iran. (AP 6/1)

Axios reported that the Pentagon is considering downgrading the U.S. official in charge of security coordination with the PA from a 3-star general to a colonel, as part of a larger push to reduce the number of U.S. generals. The ranks of the military attachés in Saudi Arabia and the UAE would also be affected by the potential change. Later, on 6/17, a bipartisan group of 32 U.S. senators wrote a letter to secretary of defense Lloyd Austin, urging him not to downgrade the post of security coordinator. The group was led by Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). (AX 6/1; AX, HA 6/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted and pepper-sprayed 2 Palestinians near Jinsafut. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters headed to Khirbet Humsa, where Israeli forces demolished 18 residential tents on 11/3; 4 Palestinians were hit by tear-gas canisters and needed medical attention. A video shows how Israeli forces tried to extract 1 wounded Palestinian from a Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance but were repelled by the medics. Israeli forces also delivered a stop-work notification for 1 house under construction in al-Walaja. Elsewhere, Israeli forces sealed off the eastern entrance to ‘Ayn Yabrud. Israeli forces also razed land in Ras Kaskar. Israeli forces also forced 10 Palestinian families to leave their land in the Jordan Valley so the Israeli military could conduct drills on the land. 11 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, Jericho, Jenin, Bayt Furik, al-‘Arub refugee camp, and Dura. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian shepherds east of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/24; AJ, WAFA 11/25; PCHR 11/26)

The Rafah crossing was open in both directions. (WAFA 11/21)

The World Bank said in a report that it expects that the Palestinian economy will contract by 8 percent in 2020. The report also said that the unemployment rate in Palestine is at 27.5 percent: 18.2 in the West Bank and 48.5 in Gaza. (HA, WAFA 11/24)

Norway contributed $7.5 million for various PA projects. (WAFA 11/24)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians and issue 5 arrest summons during late-night raids in Hebron and near Jenin; and patrol near Tulkarm and Hebron. Israeli settlers throw stones at a Palestinian ambulance in central Hebron, causing minor damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers smash the windows of 4 Palestinian vehicles and throw stones at Palestinian homes in Silwan late at night. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest 4 Palestinians attempting to cross the border fence into Israel near Jabaliya refugee camp (MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 9/8; PCHR 9/13)

A Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained when IDF troops opened fire on Palestinian protesters along Gaza’s border fence on 9/8. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 149. (MNA, WAFA 9/8)

A U.S. State Department official announces that President Donald Trump has ordered a $25 million cut to planned aid to Palestinian hospitals in East Jerusalem in the context of his ongoing review of all U.S. aid to the Palestinians. “Those funds will go to high-priority projects elsewhere,” the official says. (HA, HA, MNA, REU, WAFA, YA 9/8; EI 9/10)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and percussion grenades at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists taking part in weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 3 Palestinians, including a pregnant woman); fires tear gas and beats several Palestinians at a similar nonviolent demonstration in al-Ma‘sara (injuring an Israeli man and a 9-yr.-old Palestinian child). Jewish settlers fr. Karnei Shomron and Keddumim nr. Qalqilya force Palestinian farmers off land nr. the settlement, block roads in the area to Palestinian traffic. Jewish settlers fr. Ramat Yishai in Hebron stone a Palestinian Red Crescent Society ambulance transporting a patient fr. a hospital to her home, forcing the ambulance back to Hebron hospital; the IDF observes but does not intervene. (OCHA 4/15; PCHR 4/16)

The IDF launches a major day-long incursion (including infantry, tanks, bulldozers, air support) into areas of Gaza e. of al-Bureij r.c. and al-Maghazi r.c. to “root out terrorist infrastructures,” sparking heavy clashes with local Palestinians and calling in air strikes in support; 11 Palestinian gunmen are killed (including at least 7 Hamas mbrs., 1 Islamic Jihad mbr.), 2 IDF soldiers and 25 Palestinians are wounded, 1 home is demolished, 80 d. of olive trees and agricultural land are bulldozed, 1 Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance is confiscated by the IDF, and at least 9 of about 70 Palestinians interrogated by troops are sent to Israel for further questioning. (Among the Palestinians wounded is an al-Aqsa TV cameraman, who is repeatedly shot at close range as he lies prone after initially being wounded, leaving him a double amputee; an IDF official speaking anonymously states that al-Aqsa TV employees should not be considered bona fide journalists but “Hamas operatives in every respect,” alleging that they gather intelligence and document attacks on Israeli forces for Hamas.) Islamic Jihad fires 2 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel during the clashes, causing no damage or injuries. The PRC also fires 2 rockets fr. Rafah toward Kerem Shalom crossing; 1 explodes on the launcher, injuring 1 PRC mbr., while the other lands inside Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Tulkarm town and r.c., nr. Qalqilya, and in Jenin town and r.c., Nablus, Tubas. In keeping with a decree issued by PA PM Fayyad earlier in the wk. changing the official weekend from Thursday/Friday to Friday/Saturday, Fatah-affiliated PA employees in Gaza attempt to go their workplaces today (Thursday) but are blocked by ESF officers who force the ministries to stay closed; Fatah civil servants pledge not to work on Saturday, in keeping with the decree and as a protest against Haniyeh’s provisional government. In Gaza City, 2,000 Palestinians hold a peaceful demonstration calling on Fatah, Hamas to work together. A PSF officer dies of injuries received in interfactional clashes in Jabaliya on 6/11. (NYT, WP, WT 7/6; NYT 7/7; WP 7/8; OCHA 7/11; PCHR 7/12)

In Gaza, the IDF bulldozes Palestinian land nr. the Qarni industrial zone along the border n. of Bayt Hanun. Palestinians fire 7 mortars at IDF troops operating n. of Bayt Hanun, causing no injuries; fire 4 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian in Nablus before ending a 3-day operation there; bars an ambulance fr. transporting a Palestinian seriously injured in a car accident through a checkpoint to reach the nearest hospital in East Jerusalem because he did not have a permit to enter the city, allowing him to die; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Qabatya and nr. Bethlehem, Hebron; fires rubbercoated steel bullets, percussion grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international activists attending the weekly nonviolent protest against the separation wall in Bil‘in, injuring 1. (OCHA 7/4; PCHR 7/5)

Nr. Tripoli, Lebanese soldiers fire on Palestinian refugees who attempt to cross an army checkpoint while staging a protest march toward Nahr al-Barid, seeking to return to their homes. Local Lebanese youths also beat marchers. At least 3 Palestinians are killed, up to 50 wounded. (NYT, WP, WT 6/30)

Before dawn, the IDF sends undercover units into Nablus to arrest 6 Palestinians, including PA General Intelligence officer Amjad Mus‘ad; in the evening, fires 27 artillery rounds at n. Gaza in response to 3 mortars fired by Palestinians towards Israel, causing no damage or injuries on either side; late in the evening, undercover units return to Nablus, surround a PA security vehicle patrolling the area, order the7 PA security officers to lie on the ground, confiscate their weapons and phones, hold them for an hr., release them. The IDF also lifts the seal on the West Bank and Gaza imposed on 12/5, opens Qalandia crossing (closed since 12/8); raids and closes 10s of shops in Anabta, withdraws, later returns to conduct arrest raids and house searches; bulldozes a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem, sparking clashes with 10s of local Palestinians; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Nablus, nr. Tulkarm. IDF soldiers bar an ambulance fr. transporting a critically ill 10-yr.-old Palestinian boy to a hospital in Jerusalem, beating a female paramedic and driver, arresting the paramedic; a 2d ambulance arrives, takes the patient to a Ramallah hospital. In Dayr al-Balah, 10 AMB gunmen angry over the Fatah primaries raid a PA election office, force it to close. In Gaza City, unidentified gunmen fire on a PA police patrol, killing 1 PA policeman, wounding a 2d; the incident may be connected to the Bayt Hanun clan violence (see 12/7) as the dead policeman belongs to 1 of the families. (AP, HA, IMEMC, PCHR, PRCS, XIN, YA 12/12; AP, NYT 12/13; PCHR 12/15; PLO press release 12/21)

The IDF makes a predawn raid on Rafah, shelling residential areas, demolishing 10 Palestinian homes and a carpentry workshop; during the operation, 1 IDF soldier is wounded by a Palestinian sniper. Later in the day in Rafah, the IDF deliberately fires on a PRCS ambulance, 5 uniformed doctors, 2 uniformed nurses, a clearly identified driver distributing first aid kits (donated by Germany) to Palestinians made homeless by IDF demolitions in an attempt to scare them away, causing no injuries. In Nablus, the IDF detains 3 BBC journalists, a Palestinian doctor who attempt to enter an apartment for a prescheduled interview with a resident, not realizing that the building had been occupied as an IDF observation post; the IDF releases them with an apology after 3 hrs. of questioning. The IDF also bulldozes 100 dunams of land in Mughraqa nr. Netzarim settlement, destroying 5 wells and related irrigation works; conducts arrest raids in Balata r.c., Tulkarm; raids the Islamic Charitable Association of Hebron, confiscating computers and office equipment, sealing the offices; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; conducts house searches, arrest raids in Tulkarm and villages nr. Bethlehem, Hebron. Late in the evening, the IDF raids Gaza City’s Zaytun neighborhood, searching homes, shelling and firing on residential areas. (AFP, HA, PM, XIN 7/12; HA 8/13; PR 8/18; PCHR 8/19)

The IDF halts a PRCS ambulance outside Ramallah, orders medics to unload the vehicle and change the tires, seriously beats 1 paramedic, who requires hospitalization; demolishes 2 storage sheds in Jenin; occupies 1 Palestinian home in Iktaba as an outpost; bulldozes 9 dunams of land, a secondary road in Dayr al-Balah; conducts arrest raids in Qalqilya. An Israeli court sentences 2 Hamas mbrs. to 15 consecutive life sentences for participation in an 8/9/01 suicide bombing in Jerusalem. (PRCS press release 1/16; WT 1/17; LAW, PCHR 1/22)

Israeli PM Ariel Sharon visits Hebron, calls for the expanding of Jewish settlements in and around Hebron to create “settlement contiguity” btwn. 4 Jewish enclaves in He-bron, the outlying Kiryat Arba settlement, the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs site. In response, Jewish settlers declare a new settlement on the site of the olive grove bulldozed by the IDF on 11/16 and move in 3 shipping containers, tents, cisterns; the IDF constructs a 7-ft. concrete wall around the site. IDF undercover units attempt to assassinate Riad ‘Abd al-Ghani in Tulkarm, missing him, killing his brother, wounding a 2d brother. The IDF fires rockets, tank shells at the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) Preventive Security Force (PSF) headquarters complex in Gaza, sends troops in to set fire to 2 buildings, injuring 2 PSF officers, 1 Palestinian journalist. The IDF also fires on Palestinians in Gaza City, Nur al-Shams refugee camp (r.c.); bulldozes 8 dunams of Pal-estinian land in Bayt Lahia; blows up 2 Palestinian homes in Balata r.c.; detains for 2 hrs. a PRCS ambulance carrying Palestinians seriously injured in a car accident; fires on 2 ambulances outside a hospital in Gaza, nr. Shati‘ r.c.; detains, searches 6 ambulances, including 1 transporting a patient, for up to 70 mins. at checkpoints. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/18; MENA 11/18 in WNC 11/19; AFP 11/19 in WNC 11/21; PCHR 11/20; WJW 11/21; MEI 11/22; PRCS press release 11/23)

Israeli Arab passenger carrying only a pen knife that he does not wield attempts to hijack an El Al plane bound for Istanbul fr. Tel Aviv. He is quickly captured and detained, without injury to any other passen-gers; says that he intended to hijack the plane to protest Israeli actions against Palestinians, that he is not affiliated with any group. He is described by peers as frail, nervous, eccentric young man with a heart condition, who craves popularity and attention. (MM, NYT 11/18; ATL 11/18 in WNC 11/19; CSM, NYT, WP 11/19; NYT, WJW 11/21; NYT 11/26, 11/27; JPI 11/29

The IDF arrests 2 Palestinians with explosives at an IDF checkpoint in the West Bank, apparently averting a suicide bombing; conducts arrest raids in Jenin; blows up a “suspicious looking” Palestinian car in al-Khadir; invades Mighraqa, destroying a number of electricity towers, cutting power to the village, bulldozing the roads inside the village, digging trenches across the main road, damaging the water network; conducts arrest raids in al-Qarara; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis. IDF soldiers at a checkpoint outside Jenin, break the windshield of an ambulance transporting patient to the hospital. (NYT, PM, WP 11/3; LAW, PCHR 11/6; PRCS press release 11/10)

The IDF fatally shoots a 16-yr-old Palestinian boy in Tulkarm r.c.; halts an ambulance outside Jenin, detains 2 Palestinian dialysis patients returning fr. treatment (1 blind; 1 paraplegic, wheelchair bound) on suspicision of being wanted men, releases them after 10 hrs.; fires on Palestinian nr. Bayt Hanun, wounding 2; demolishes 7 Palestinian homes (1 in Jenin, 3 in Jenin r.c., 3 Rafah); bulldozes greenhouses in Rafah; raids a school in Jenin, arresting a school guard for not having an ID (confiscated by IDF in 6/02); digs trenches around Jenin, Nablus to prevent Palestinians fr. leaving or entering except through 3 IDF checkpoints. Palestinians fire a rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing minor damage outside a school, no injuries. Jewish settlers at Havat Gilad attack and chase off nearby Palestinian olive pickers, steal what olives they have picked, harvest the grove for themselves. Late this evening, the IDF raids, shuts down Havat Gilad outpost again (see 10/25). (JTA 10/28; MA 10/28 in WNC 10/29; NYT, WP, WT 10/29; LAW, NYT, PCHR 10/30; HA 11/2; HA 11/6)

Labor leader Ben-Eliezer says he would vote against Sharon’s proposed 2003 budget unless $150 m. in funds for Jewish settlements are shifted to social services. Sharon accuses Ben-Eliezer of cynically maneuvering to win reelection as Labor party head in party voting on 11/19; threatens to dismiss Labor party MKs fr. the coalition government, force early elections if they vote against. (NYT 10/29; NYT, WT 10/30)

The IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes nr. Gaza City, damaging 8 others; halts an ambulance nr. Nablus, taking a relative of the patient into custody; fires tear gas at PRCS property, ambulances, paramedics in Nablus, Tulkarm. Palestinians fire 2 mortars, a rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, damaging 1 home, causing no injuries; the IDF believes the rocket was a new, larger Qassam-3, with a range of up to 12 km. Palestinian gunmen fire at a Jewish settler vehicle nr. Tulkarm, injuring 1 settler. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 9/10. An Israeli court indicts 4 East Jerusalem Palestinians for murder for their alleged role in the 7/31/02 Hebrew University bombing. A Palestinian indicted in civilian court on terrorism charges on 7/30 is convicted, sentenced to 22 yrs. Israel announces that 6 wks. ago it arrested 10 bedouin IDF soldiers fr. the Galilee on charges of spying for Hizballah. (JTA 9/12; HA, WP 9/13; LAW, PCHR 9/18; PCHR 9/20; HA 10/23; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/24; MM 10/29)

In a speech to the opening session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) a day after the 1st anniversary of the al-Qa`ida attacks on the U.S., Bush warns the UN to take action quickly to force Iraq to "unconditionally accept" inspection, disarmament of its chemical and biological weapons and nuclear research facilities, intimating that the U.S. will take action unilaterally if the UN does not. Bush also reiterates his support for the creation of "an independent and democratic Palestine living side by side with Israel in peace and security," adding that "Palestinians deserve a government that serves their interests and listens to their voices." (NYT, Jerusalem Times, WP, WT 9/12; HA, MM 9/13; AYM 9/13, MENA, al-Quds 9/14, MENA 9/15 in WNC 9/16; NYT 9/14; JT, WP 9/15; MM 9/17; MEI 9/27)

The American Jewish Comm., Israel 21c (a Silicon Valley+n based group supported by executives of high-tech companies) launch an ad campaign to run on cable TV news stations in 100 U.S. cities promoting Israel's side in its conflict with the Palestinians, portraying Israel as the only democratic country and country sharing American values in the Middle East. (JTA 9/17; AP 9/18; WJW 9/19, 9/26)

 

Before dawn, the IDF sends troops into Palestinian areas in and around Hebron, storming the local PA headquarters, demolishing 1 building in the compound, killing 4 PSF officers, wounding 7, arresting around 200. With the reoccupation of Hebron, 700,000 West Bank Palestinians are under 24-hr. curfew. Curfews are lifted for several hrs. in Bethlehem, Jenin, Qalqilya, Ramallah, Tulkarm. The IDF also makes an incursion into Araba, shooting and seriously wounding an 8-yr.-old Palestinian girl; conducts arrest raids in Rafah, demolishing 2 Palestinian homes completely, 3 partially; fatally shoots a Palestinian who allegedly threw a grenade at an IDF post nr. Qarni crossing, causing no damage or injuries; halts an ambulance transporting 2 wounded Palestinians to a Ramallah hospital, forcing the driver, 1 patient to exit the ambulance for a search. (LAW, UPMRC, WP, WT 6/25; LAW, NYT, PRCS press release, WP, WT 6/26; MM, PCHR 6/27)

Israel begins broadcasting an Arabic language satellite channel. (MEI 6/28; MM 7/10)

A remote-controlled bomb blows up a diesel truck parked outside a major refinery nr. Tel Aviv. Israeli authorities call it a failed attempt by Palestinians to create a catastrophic explosion. No one claims responsibility. A mysterious explosion in a house in Nablus kills 2 Palestinian youths, injures 5. The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian who allegedly threw a grenade at troops nr. the Rafah border; conducts arrest raids into villages n. of Hebron and in Jenin, Qalandiya r.c., Rafah, Silat al-Dahir, Rafah (destroying 22 shops, 5 Palestinian homes). The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) complains that the IDF has repeatedly stopped and searched 2 of its ambulances, including forcing the patients out of the ambulance, opening oxygen containers, damaging medical supplies. A Palestinian woman delivers a stillborn baby in Nablus after being detained at IDF checkpoints for hrs. (MM 5/23; JP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/24; MA 5/26 in WNC 5/28; LAW 5/29; PCHR 5/30; JPI 6/7)

In Bethlehem, IDF soldier conducting house-to-house searches blow the door off an apartment without warning, killing a Palestinian woman. The IDF allows 1 PRCS ambulance into Jenin r.c. to collect the bodies of 7 Palestinians. IDF soldiers acknowledge using Palestinians in Jenin r.c. as human shields. (HA, LAW, WP, WT 4/14; NYT, UPMRC, WP, WT 4/15; MM 4/16; MEI 4/19)

Powell meets Arafat in Ramallah, discusses the idea of holding a regional or international conference. (NYT, WP, WT 4/15; JT, al-Quds, SA 4/15 in WNC 4/16; MM 4/16; MEI 4/19)

An AMB suicide bomber detonates a device in an ultraorthodox Jewish neighborhood of Beit Israel in West Jerusalem, killing 9 Israelis, including 5 children, and wounding 40. The PA "fully" condemns the attack or any attack "that targets civilians from both sides." The AMB says it picked a bomber fr. Dahaysha r.c. in retaliation for the IDF raids on the camps in Balata, Jenin. In Ramallah, Palestinians hold a spontaneous pro-AMB rally in support of the bombing. Hamas also issues a statement calling the attack legitimate. AMB gunmen also fatally shoot an Israeli policeman in a Jewish settlement outside Jerusalem; an IDF soldier dies of injuries received on 3/1. The IDF continues house-to-house, section-by-section searches in Balata, Jenin r.c. for the 3d day, moving from house to house through the walls. By this evening troops pull out of Jenin r.c. Troops in Balata say that they captured a stash of 6 Qassam-2 rockets, 7 explosive belts for suicide bombings, detained 15 Palestinians, killed 10 Palestinians since the raids began. IDF forces in Jenin r.c. say they have killed 20 Palestinians, arrested 12 during the same period. Elsewhere, an ambulance carrying 3 seriously ill Palestinian infants to a Ramallah intensive care unit is detained by the IDF at a checkpoint for 45 mins., causing Palestinian baby to die; 1 Palestinian is fatally shot by IDF troops nr. Bayt Hanun; a 3d Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. Clashes are reported in Hebron, Nablus, Qalqilya, Ramallah. The IDF bulldozes Palestinian land nr. Bethlehem. (HA, HP 3/2; NYT, WP, WT 3/3; DUS 3/3 in WNC 3/4; MM 3/4; LAW 3/6; MEI 3/8)

Israeli-Palestinian violence leaves a total of 6 Palestinians, 3 Jewish settlers, 1 IDF soldier dead. In Gaza, the IDF fires on 2 Palestinians allegedly attempting to infiltrate a Jewish settlement, killing 1; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis, killing 3 Palestinians, barring ambulances fr. reaching the scene, firing on at least 1 ambulance. AMB gunmen fire on a settler vehicle nr. Kissufim crossing in Gaza, then 1 AMB mbr. detonates a suicide bomb, killing 3 settlers, wounding 4. In the Jordan Valley, the IDF stops a Palestinian car at a checkpoint nr. Ma'ale Adumim; the driver emerges, fires on soldiers, detonates a remote controlled car bomb, killing himself and 1 soldier, injuring a 2d soldier. The IDF responds by sending F-16s to destroy 3 PSF buildings nr. Rafah, injuring 4 PSF officers; blocks 3 main roads in Gaza, banning all Palestinian traffic; shells residential areas of Dayr al-Balah. The IDF confiscates 80 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Karnei Shomron settlement. (NYT, WP 2/19; NYT 2/20)

In Nablus, the IDF fires missiles at a car driven by senior Fatah mbr. Jihad Mussaimi in an apparent assassination attempt. Mussaimi and several bystanders are injured. Following a Palestinian sniper attack on the Jewish enclave of Hebron that wounds 2 Jewish settler boys, the IDF sends troops into the PA-controlled area of Hebron to blow up 2 Palestinian homes in the Abu Sunayna neighborhood. The 3-hr. raid, similar to that on Jinin on 8/13-14, sparks an intense gun battle that leaves 2 Palestinians dead and 10 Palestinians, 1 IDF soldier wounded; a Palestinian woman dies of a heart attack while waiting hrs. for an ambulance to reach her. In Gaza, the IDF fires on Palestinians throwing stones at a Jewish settlement, killing 1 Palestinian boy; sends 3 tanks into Dayr al-Balah refugee camp, sparking a gun battle that leaves 4 Palestinians injured. (AFP 8/23; NYT, WP, WT 8/24; NYT, WT 8/25; HA 8/26)

In Nablus, the IDF fires missiles at a car driven by senior Fatah mbr. Jihad Mussaimi in an apparent assassination attempt. Mussaimi and several bystanders are injured. Following a Palestinian sniper attack on the Jewish enclave of Hebron that wounds 2 Jewish settler boys, the IDF sends troops into the PA-controlled area of Hebron to blow up 2 Palestinian homes in the Abu Sunayna neighborhood. The 3-hr. raid, similar to that on Jinin on 8/13-14, sparks an intense gun battle that leaves 2 Palestinians dead and 10 Palestinians, 1 IDF soldier wounded; a Palestinian woman dies of a heart attack while waiting hrs. for an ambulance to reach her. In Gaza, the IDF fires on Palestinians throwing stones at a Jewish settlement, killing 1 Palestinian boy; sends 3 tanks into Dayr al-Balah refugee camp, sparking a gun battle that leaves 4 Palestinians injured. (AFP 8/23; NYT, WP, WT 8/24; NYT, WT 8/25; HA 8/26)

Israeli-Palestinian violence escalates, leaving 2 Palestinians dead. After a 2d Jewish settler wounded on 7/12 dies of his injuries, the IDF sends tanks, armored personnel carriers, heavy machine guns into the PA-controlled area of Hebron to fire on 4 Force 17 positions in the midst of Palestinian residential areas, leaving more than 20 Palestinians injured, 10s of houses damaged and triggering a major exchange of gunfire. In Tulkarm, senior Hamas mbr. Fawwas Badran is killed when his car explodes in an apparent Israeli assassination. IDF soldiers see a Palestinian woman place a bomb outside a Jewish settlement in Gaza and run away. When they approach to dismantle the bomb, another Palestinian throws a grenade at them, causing no injuries. Soldiers shoot him dead. The IDF also seizes a Palestinian home in Nabi Salih as a new outpost, fire on an ambulance in Tulkarm. (MM 7/13; WP, WT 7/14; Palestinian Red Crescent Society press release 7/16)

The IDF demolishes at least 14 Palestinian homes in Shu`fat refugee camp in East Jerusalem in the largest demolition campaign in the city in recent yrs., leaving 150 Palestinians homeless, injuring 20. Israeli police scuffle with Palestinian residents, injuring 5, arresting several. Later, the IDF demolishes 10 Palestinian homes in Gaza, sparking an exchange gunfire that leaves 5 Palestinians wounded. A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a car bomb nr. and IDF post nr. Gush Katif settlement in Gaza, killing himself, causing no other injuries. A critically ill Palestinian man dies of a heart attack when the IDF delays his ambulance passage through a checkpoint. An IDF soldier dies of injuries received on 7/8. The IDF also directs shells/heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Sahur (hitting a PSF post); tightens access to Jerusalem and the closure on Jinin, Tulkarm; places a curfew on Sinjil, fires percussion grenades for no apparent reason. Jewish settlers place caravans on confiscated Palestinian land in Ramin to expand Annab settlement; stage a 4-hr. assault on Palestinians, their property in Hebron, also attacking journalists who come to cover the incident. Palestinians fire mortars at 2 Gaza settlements, causing no damage. (HP, LAW, MM 7/9; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/10; PMC, WT 7/11; JT, al-Quds 7/11 in WNC 7/12; HJ, JT 7/12 in WNC 7/13; ATL 7/12 in WNC 7/16; MEI 7/13; HA 7/24)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes, now in their 8th mo., continue, with Israel Defense Force (IDF) increasingly striking Palestinian targets and entering areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority (PA) without provocation so as to "keep them guessing and [have] them spend more time defending themselves" and with Palestinians stepping up their sniping at soldiers and settlers and firing of mortars (especially in Gaza). To date, around 511 Palestinians, 82 Israelis have been killed. Today, 1 Palestinian is shot dead by IDF troops. The IDF also shells the PA Preventive Security Force (PSF) offices in Jabaliyya, Jinin; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis; sends tanks, bulldozers into 2 PA-controlled areas in Gaza, occupying a multistory building in al-Qarara nr. Gush Katif settlement and a factory in Dayr al-Balah. IDF soldiers at a checkpoint on the Nablus-Ramallah road halt a Red Crescent ambulance en route to pick up a critically ill patient, severely beat 3 medics, empty the ambulance and damage supplies; the harassment ends when the International Comm. of the Red Cross (ICRC) intervenes. (AFP [Internet], HP 5/16; MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 5/17; LAW, WT 5/18)

The IDF concedes that the 5/14 attack on a PSF post in Beitunia that left 5 PSF officers dead was a "blunder" and that the area was quiet when soldiers attacked. (WP 5/17; AN, HJ 5/17 in WNC 5/18, 5/21; HA, NYT 5/18)

PA Information M Yasir `Abid Rabbuh appeals to Congress to support the recommendations of the Mitchell Comm., the U.S.-led international inquiry into the causes of the al-Aqsa intifada headed by fmr. U.S. sen. George Mitchell. The comm.'s preliminary report (submitted to Israel and the PA on 5/1) suggests a two-pronged approach to restoring calm based on Israel halting all settlement construction, the PA making a 100% effort to halt violence. The comm.'s final report is expected in 1 wk. The State Dept. says Secy. of State Colin Powell is considering meeting with Sharon, Arafat on the sidelines of his trip to Africa, Europe 5/22+n30. (WT 5/18)

In Washington, U.S. Pres. George W. Bush holds a strategy session on the Middle East with his top foreign policy advisers, including Secy. of State Powell, Secy. of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, National Security Adviser (NSA) Condoleeza Rice. Powell advocates using the recommendations of the Mitchell Comm. and the Jordanian-Egyptian initiative as the base for a cease-fire plan. Both plans call for a full freeze on settlement construction, which admin. officials claim they cannot directly demand from Israeli PM Ariel Sharon. (MM 5/16; MM, NYT 5/17)