The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raid al-‘Awja, injuring 1 man with stones, damaging 6 vehicles, and stealing 10 sheep. Israeli settlers also raid Farasin, causing extensive damage to Palestinian property. Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian with live ammunition during a raid in Kafr Jamal. Israeli forces also raid Ya’bad, assaulting 2 Palestinians and seizing 2 vehicles. In East Jerusalem, 2 Israeli settlers spit at a Christian abbot from Germany, the 2 are later placed under house arrest. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Khan Yunis, Rafah, Dayr al-Balah, and Gaza City, killing at least 107 people. The Israeli bombs hit a fuel tank at the European Hospital, causing damage to the hospital. An Israeli soldier is killed in combat. In Lebanon, Hezbollah fires a missile at Israeli soldiers on al-Kubra hills and targets an Israeli base in Khirbet Maar. Israeli forces bomb homes in Yaroun. In Syria and Iraq, U.S. forces use 125 bombs to attack 3 sites in Iraq and 4 in Syria, killing 16 people in Iraq and 23 people in Syria. In Yemen, U.S. and UK forces, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Canada, attack 36 targets in 13 different places across the country. (AJ, AP, HA, NYT, NYT 2/2; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AX, AX, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/3; AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, NYT, UNOCHA, WAFA 2/4)

More than 27,283 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 11,500 children and 7,200 women, and around 66,452 have been injured since 10/7. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 374 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 94 children. More than 4,408 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, 223 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,296 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. (UNOCHA 2/4)

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh meets with Turkey’s National Intelligence Agency director Ibrahim Kalin in Doha. AP reports that Hamas has started distributing salaries to government employees and Hamas employed police officers are patrolling parts of Gaza City.  (AJ, HA, HA 2/3)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh says 5 countries that announced suspension of funding to UNRWA informed him on 2/1 that they would resume funding within weeks. (AJ 2/3)

Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari says Israel has attacked Syria 50 times and Lebanon 200 times since 10/7/2023. (AJ, REU 2/3)

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry summons the U.S. charge d’affaires in Baghdad David Burger after U.S. and UK attacks in Iraq. U.S. secretary of defense Lloyd Austin says the attack on Syria and Iraq are “the start of our response” to the killing of 3 U.S. soldiers in Jordan earlier this week. (AJ, REU 2/3)

German foreign minister Anna Baerbock says Israeli plans to move its ground forces to Rafah “would simply not be justifiable.” (AJ 2/3)

The U.S. House of Representatives’ appropriations panel recommends a bill providing $17.6 billion in funding for the Israeli military, including $4.4 billion in weapons supplies, $4 billion for missile defense, $3.5 billion for financing of advanced weapons systems, $1.2 billion for the development of the Iron Beam laser missile defense, and $1 billion to improve artillery and munitions production. Speaker Mike Johnson says the House could vote on the bill next week. The House Freedom Caucus later indicates that its members will not support the bill, instead proposing that the U.S. pays for the aid to Israel by cutting funding to the UN and scrapping the IRS expansion. (AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU 2/3; HA 2/4; HA 2/5)

Portugal announces a $1.08 million donation to UNRWA. The UAE donates $5 million to UNRWA earmarked for relief efforts in Gaza. Slovenian foreign minister Tanja Fajon says her country will not stop funding UNRWA during a meeting of EU foreign ministers. (AJ 2/3)

Israeli Channel 13 reports that Israel is considering closing the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt due to tensions with Egypt. (AJ 2/3)

The New York Times reports that it was UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini who informed the U.S. on 1/24 about the Israeli allegations against 12 UNRWA staffers after a meeting with an Israeli diplomat in Tel Aviv on 1/18 where the Israeli allegations were shared with him. Lazzarini also met with UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres before sharing the information with the U.S., where they decided to fire 9 out of the 10 staffers who are still alive. (HA, NYT 2/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort toured Solomon’s pools near Bethlehem and an archeological site near Qarawat Bani Hassan. Israeli settlers with a military escort also raided Jalbun, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces closed Route 60 near Huwwara for 3 hours, claiming stones were thrown at settler vehicles. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israel closed the compound to young Palestinians during the incursion and Israeli forces prevented some Waqf employees from entering. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/4; AJ, HA, PCHR 10/5)

Israeli police arrested 5 Israelis for spitting on Christians and churches in the Old City of Jerusalem. 4 of the 5 were arrested shortly after a spitting incident at a church and the other was arrested for an incident earlier in the week. (AJ, HA, HA, WAFA 10/4; HA 10/7)

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said 84 Palestinians had fled their homes in the Masafer Yatta area since July due to Israeli restrictions on their movement after the 2022 Supreme Court decision to allow Israel to forcefully transfer Palestinians living in the “firing zone.” (HA 10/4)

Haaretz reported that Israeli minister at the Defense Ministry Bezalel Smotrich has been excluding the military advocate general official Eli Levertov from discussions on settlement expansion reportedly over Levertov’s objections to decisions made by Smotrich on settlements. (HA 10/4)

Jordan sent a letter to the Israeli embassy in the country complaining of Israeli settler tours at the Haram al-Sharif compound and settler attacks on Christians in Jerusalem. (WAFA 10/4)

Haaretz also reported that Qatar is considering providing additional aid to Gaza and that Israel is considering increasing the quota for Gazans to work in Israel. (HA 10/2; HA 10/4)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken overrode a Republican block on the dispersal of $75 million in food assistance to Palestinians hours before a clause would have seen the funds dispersed elsewhere. The State Department did not publish the outcome, which was instead announced by UNRWA-USA. (HA 10/4)

National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz met with U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan at the White House for a briefing on the Saudi-Israeli normalization deal negotiations. It was reported that the White House is seeking to have Gantz’s party and other opposition parties replace the Religious Zionist Party and the Jewish Power Party if Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir oppose concessions to Palestinians as part of the normalization deal. (HA 10/5; ALM 10/6)

20 U.S. senators wrote a letter to U.S. president Joe Biden urging his administration to preserve the option of a two-state solution in a potential Saudi-Israeli normalization deal. The senators said Israel should commit to not annexing any of the West Bank; halt settlement expansion; dismantle illegal settlements, including those retroactively legalized; allow natural growth in Palestinian towns and cities; and allow Palestinians to travel within the West Bank without interference. The senators were led by Chris Murphy (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Peter Welsh (D-VT). (HA 10/4; WAFA 10/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort raided Jalud, leading to a confrontation between Palestinians protecting themselves and Israeli forces; 2 were injured with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor before arresting him near Fawwar refugee camp. Israeli forces also raided Beita twice, injuring 3 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces assaulted Palestinian worshippers and journalists near the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/3; PCHR 10/5)

Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir toured the Gilboa Prison. During his tour, Palestinians’ cells were raided and sound bombs were fired in sections 1 and 3 of the prison. (WAFA 10/4)

A source working on the Egyptian efforts to reduce tension between Israel and Hamas told Haaretz that continued Israeli settler tours of the Haram al-Sharif compound will likely lead to an escalation in tensions. Hamas reportedly conveyed to Egyptian and Qatari mediators that it wants Israel to increase the number of work permits to 30,000 and wants Israel to help UNRWA promote job creation in Gaza. (HA 10/3)

Several Israeli ministers, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, condemned spitting attacks by Israeli settlers on Christians in the Old City of Jerusalem. Christians have complained that the phenomenon is rising, and settlers were filmed spitting on Christians on 10/1 and 10/2. (HA, WAFA 10/3; HA 10/5)

In Syria, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes near Deir ez-Zor, killing 6 and injuring 4. (AJ, HA 10/3)

In the West Bank, thousands of Israeli settlers with a military escort toured Jabel ‘Aybal in Area B in an effort to assert their claim to the hill near Nablus. Israeli settlers also vandalized an agricultural structure in Ein al-Beida. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers with a military escort attacked Qusra, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, injuring 1 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, assaulting 1 and firing tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces prevented students and teachers from reaching 27 schools in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces also closed the Ibrahimi Mosque to Muslim worshippers, citing the Jewish celebration of Sukkot. Meanwhile, Israeli forces erected dirt mounts on 3 roads leading to Sabastia and its Roman ruins, preventing Palestinian travel. Israeli forces also seized 1 tractor in Deir Istiya and 1 car in Khirbet Humsa. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jenin, Ya’bad, Jalazone refugee camp, and Turmus ‘Ayya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers were filmed spitting on Christians in the Old City. Israeli settlers also assaulted 1 Palestinian man in Silwan, causing bruises. Israeli forces assaulted 2 Palestinian women at the Chain Gate in the Old City near the Haram al-Sharif compound. 4 Palestinians were arrested in Isawiya and Silwan, including the son of PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Ghaith. (HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/2; HA, HA, HA 10/3; PCHR 10/5)

Jordan condemned the Israeli settler incursions into the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA 10/2)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesters in ‘Azzun, injuring 1 minor with live ammunition. In East Jerusalem, some 1,500 settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. The tour was arranged by a group that want to demolish the mosques at the compound and build a Jewish temple. Israeli settlers also spat on Christians in the Old City. Israel forced 1 Palestinian family to demolish their 2 apartments in Bayt Hanina, displacing 10. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen, injuring 1 with live ammunition. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/1; HA, HA 10/2; HA 10/3; PCHR 10/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers brought their livestock to graze on Palestinian-owned wheat and barley crops in al-Twana, causing damage. Israeli settlers also stole fencing in Farkha. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers with a military escort toured an archeological site in Jericho. Israeli forces shot and wounded 1 unarmed Palestinian man suffering from physical and cognitive disabilities near the separation wall in Qalqilya. It was reported that the man was injured with Tutu ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 10 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and seriously wounded a Palestinian minor in Silwan, claiming he had thrown a Molotov cocktail at Israeli forces. Israeli forces also shot and wounded 1 Palestinian man driving a car in Shu’fat refugee camp, claiming he was speeding toward them. In the Galilee, Israeli forces prevented thousands of Christians from visiting a church for the celebration of the Feast of the Transfiguration. Church officials said the event was coordinated with Israeli police 2 weeks prior but that Israeli authorities retracted its approval on the day of the event, citing fire risk. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/18; HA, HA, HA, WAFA 8/19; PCHR 8/24; UNOCHA 8/28)

UNRWA said it had suspended its services in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in Lebanon in protest over armed militants operating in its facilities in the camp since violent conflict arose between Fatah and armed Islamist groups on 28 July. UNRWA called on the armed groups to leave its facilities so it can resume its services. (AP 8/17; AJ, AP, REU 8/18)

Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán said Israel and Germany had signed an agreement to jointly manufacture combat drones with Hungary. (HA 8/18)

It was reported that the Israeli government had granted de facto recognition to Israeli settlement outposts that had not received official independent status, allowing the government to fund infrastructure and education in the outposts. The decision has already been approved by the Justice Ministry and will be finalized at the cabinet level in the coming weeks. (HA 8/18)

Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian met with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, discussing future opportunities for cooperation. (AJ, HA 8/18)

PC Magazine reported that X, formerly known as Twitter, will require its subscription users to verify their identify by sending a selfie and a copy of their ID to the Israeli company AU10TIX. (AJ, MEE 8/21)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinians during a raid in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. Israeli forces also issued stop-work orders for 8 houses in Sinjil, including for a house that was severely damaged by Israeli settlers in 2013. Elsewhere, Israeli forces uprooted 20 olive tree saplings and razed farmland in Kafr ad-Dik. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/9; PCHR 8/10; UNOCHA 8/28)

The Jerusalem District Court overturned a decision by the Jerusalem Magistrate Court to release one of the Israeli settlers accused of carrying out the terrorist attack on Burqa on 8/4, releasing Elisha Yered to house arrest while keeping Yehiel Indore in custody until 8/11. The magistrate court had ordered that both suspects be released. 4 Palestinians are being held in custody by Israel in relation to the settler attack. Israeli police rejected a request by Hadash-Ta’al MK Ahmad Tibi to meet with the 4 Palestinians, despite 2 MKs from Otzma Yehudit and Likud visiting the main Israeli suspect Yehiel Indore at the hospital on 8/6. Tibi responded saying that separate rules apply for Jewish and Palestinians members of Knesset. (HA, HA, WAFA 8/8; AP, HA, HA, WAFA 8/9; HA 8/10)

Israeli president Isaac Herzog visited the Stella Maris monastery in Haifa after continued harassment of Christian worshippers by members of the Hassidic Breslow sect. Harassment of Christians in Israel and Jerusalem has been rising during the summer. The Religious Freedom Data Center recorded at least 30 hate crimes against Christians in Jerusalem in June and July. (ALM 8/10)

PA national economy minister Khaled Osaily sent a letter to his Spanish counterpart Hector Jose Hernandez, demanding that he force the companies CAF and GMV to cease their involvement in the expansion of the Jerusalem light rail network in East Jerusalem. (WAFA 8/9)

The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have agreed to a broad framework for a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The White House later denied that a framework had been agreed upon. (AJ, HA, HA, REU WSJ 8/9; HA, HA 8/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian herders in al-Thaala in the Masafer Yatta area, forcing them to leave their pastures. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian and wounded 2 others with live ammunition and 170 with tear gas during a punitive demolition raid in Nablus. The Israeli forces demolished the family home of 1 Palestinian accused of having killed an Israeli soldier in October 2022. Israeli forces also raided Ya’bad, razing a road, damaging 2 vehicles, and raiding the Electricity Authority building. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in Bayt Jala. Israeli forces also demolished 8 residential structures east of Tubas, displacing 16. In East Jerusalem, an Israeli settler threw stones at the Cenacle Christian site, damaging windows. The vandal was released from custody on 6/16 under the condition that he stay away from the Old City for 30 days.  (ABC, AJ, ALM, AP, HA, MEE, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/15; HA 6/18; PCHR 6/22; UNOCHA 7/8)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Chinese prime minister Li Qiang in Beijing. At the end of Abbas’ 4-day trip, the PA and China issued a joint statement where the PA supported China’s treatment of its Muslim minority in Xinjiang, which has been severely condemned by human rights organizations. (AP, WAFA 6/15; AP 6/16)

The UNRWA staff union in the West Bank ended its 4-month long strike and resumed services in the refugee camps. (WAFA 6/15; REU, WAFA 6/16)

The Islamic Supreme Fatwa Council in Palestine issued a fatwa against participation in the upcoming Israeli municipal elections in Jerusalem. (QDS, WAFA 6/15)

A conference on spitting attacks by Jewish people on Christians in the Old City organized by the Center for the Study of Relations Between Jews, Christians, and Muslims at the Open University of Israel was forced to change its venue from the Tower of David Museum in the Old City of Jerusalem after pressure from the Israeli-run municipality, including from the mayor’s office. Jerusalem deputy mayor Arieh King called the conference “anti-Semitic.” Officials from the Israeli Foreign Ministry and Jerusalem municipality were invited to attend the conference but refused. (HA 6/15)

A CNN investigation confirmed Palestinian eyewitness accounts that Israeli forces did not intervene to protect Palestinians from the Israeli settler pogrom in Huwwara on 2/26. An Israeli soldier told CNN that he and the other soldiers knew of the threat posed by the Israeli settlers but chose not to intervene and instead allowed the settlers to enter Huwwara. The CNN investigation also said that Israeli soldiers only intervened to prevent Palestinian residents from trying to repel the settler attack. (CNN, HA 6/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Jaba’, injuring 1 Palestinian whose car was hit by a stone. Israeli settlers with a military escort also threw stones at Palestinians and Palestinian property in Umm al-Khair. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police assaulted and severely beat Christians seeking to attend the Holy Fire ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Israel had severely reduced the permitted capacity from some 10,000 attendees to 2,200 to the condemnation of Church officials, the PA, and Jordan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. In Tel Aviv, for the fifteenth week in a row tens of thousands of Israelis protested against the Israeli government. (AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/15; AJ, AJ, AN, GDN, GDN, REU, WAFA 4/16; MDW 4/18; UNOCHA 4/20; PCHR 4/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian shepherd in Ein al-Beida. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 man protesting soldiers beating his son who was arrested during a house raid in Qalandia. The Palestinian man’s wife said her husband had gone outside to stop the soldiers’ assault on their son when he was shot and killed. Israeli forces also shot and killed 2 Palestinians and injured 7 others during a raid in Qabatiya. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 agricultural structure in Duma. Israeli forces also issued an eviction notice to a family in Hajja in preparation for a punitive demolition. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Qalandia refugee camp, Dheisheh refugee camp, ad-Doha, al-Baqa‘a, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers wrote hateful graffiti aimed at Christians on the walls of the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate building in the Old City. Israeli forces raided the home of PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Ghaith, informing him that his ban on contacting PA officials and entering the West Bank had been extended for 6 months. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/12; AP, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR 1/13’ ; UNOCHA 2/16; PCHR 1/19; UNOCHA 2/3)

Peace Now and Bimkom said that a clause in the Likud Party and Religious Zionism Party coalition agreement could see Israel seize 13,000 dunams (3,250 acres) of Palestinian-owned land in the West Bank and 70 buildings in Hebron transferred to settlers as Israel claims that the land and buildings were owned by Jewish people before 1948. The land Israel intends to seize is located near Bethlehem, Nabi Samwil, Battir, and Beit Furik, including land in Area B. (HA 1/12)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh met with U.S. special representative for Palestinian affairs Hady Amr in Ramallah. Prime Minister Shtayyeh urged the U.S. to act quickly to end Israeli measures to weaken the PA and undermine the 2-state solution. (WAFA 1/12)

The head of the Hamas political bureau Ismail Haniyeh met with UN Middle East peace process envoy Tor Wennesland in Doha, Qatar. (MEMO 1/12)

In the West Bank, 2 Palestinians, including a member of the PA security service’s intelligence branch, and the Israeli deputy commander of the Nahal brigade’s special reconnaissance unit, were killed during an exchange of gunfire near the Jalamah checkpoint. Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades said the 2 Palestinians were members of its organization. Israeli forces raided Burqa, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also demolished 2 agricultural structures and 20 olive trees in Rujeib, delivered stop-work notices for 1 house and 1 agricultural structure in Husan and demolition notices against 3 residential tents in Ras al-Ahmar. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 2 residential tents in the Masafer Yatta area. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jamma‘in, ‘Ayn Bus, Nablus, al-Janiya, Silwad, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 at a checkpoint and 1 in Isawiya. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/14; HA, PCHR 9/15; UNOCHA 9/16; UNOCHA 9/30)

Israel shut down the Jalamah and Salem checkpoints and prohibited Palestinians from Kafr Dan from entering Israel as a punitive measure for the early morning shooting (see above). Both the Palestinians killed were from Kafr Dan. (HA 9/14)

It was reported that Palestinian children in Tuba had been unable to attend school for 2 days as Israeli soldiers began refusing escorting the children to their school. Since 2004, Israeli soldiers have escorted children in Tuba to their school to protect them from settler attacks. Residents in Tuba said they believe canceling the escorting of the children was related to an incident on 9/12 where 1 Israeli settler was reported injured nearby after armed Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians working their land. The Israeli military said that they had not changed their policy, but had decided to temporarily cancel the escorts. (HA 9/14)

The U.S. senate foreign relations committee passed an amendment to the Manager’s package of the State Department Authorization Act, requiring secretary of state Antony Blinken to submit a report on the circumstances surround the killing of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. (HA 9/15; WAFA 9/16)

U.S. assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs Barbara Leaf told reporters that the U.S. is concerned about the security situation in the West Bank and cited economic conditions as a direct factor. (AX, HA 9/14; MEMO 9/15)

Axios reported that the EU special envoy for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process Sven Koopmans had complained to the Israeli foreign ministry that his requests for meetings with prime minister Yair Lapid, president Isaac Herzog, and defense minister Benny Gantz had been denied. (AX 9/14)

In an interview with the French newspaper Le Point, Qatari leader Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani dismissed the idea of normalizing relations with Israel, saying “are things normal in Israel? No! There are still occupied Arab lands, refugees who have not been able to return to their homes for over 70 years, Muslims and Christians, living under siege in Gaza.” Sheikh Al Thani further called the “Israeli-Palestinian question” the most important, saying there will not be peace in the Middle East without it being solved. (HA, LePoint 9/14)

UN commissioner Lynn Welchman criticized Israel for its air strike on the Damascus Airport in June, which suspended UN deliveries of humanitarian aid to Syrians. (AP, HA, REU 9/14; MEE 9/15)

The Washington Post reported that in the upcoming book, The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021 by Peter Baker and Susan Glasser, it is said that former U.S. president Donald Trump offered King Abdullah II of Jordan the West Bank. According to the authors’ sources, King Abdullah said he thought he was having a heart attack when he was made the offer. (WP 9/14; HA, JP, MEE, TOI 9/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces blocked the main entrance to Burqa. Israeli forces also assaulted and arrested 1 minor in a shop in Beit Umar. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Qalqilya, injuring 3 with rubber-coated bullets, including 2 minors. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near al-Arroub refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Deir al-Ghusun. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan. (WAFA, WAFA 1/8; PCHR 1/13)

Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III said that the Christian community’s “presence in Jerusalem is under threat,” in a piece published by The Times. Theophilos III warned that “Zionist extremists” were committing hate crimes against Christians and regularly desecrating and vandalizing church property. (LT 1/8; HA, MEE, MEMO, REU 1/9)

Palestinian activist Ramy Shaath arrived in Paris after being deported by Egypt as he was released from Egyptian prison. Shaath, the son for former PA foreign minister Nabil Shaath, was arrested in June 2019 on charges related to his alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. Shaath was forced to renounce his Egyptian citizenship as a condition for his release. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU 1/8; AJ 1/9; ALM 1/12)

The Palestinian Central Elections Committee (CEC) said 89% of eligible voters had registered for the 2d phase of local elections, which will be held in cities and larger towns on 3/26. The CEC said that it is not planning to facilitate elections in Gaza as Hamas is demanding political conditions that cannot be addressed by the committee, according to the CEC. (PCHR 1/3; WAFA 1/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones and other objects at Palestinian vehicles near al-Mughayyir, causing 1 Palestinian driver to lose control of his car, injuring him and his son. The driver was flown to a hospital and was said to be in critical condition. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Duma, causing damage. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones and opened fire on Palestinians near Burqa; no injuries were reported. 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Jalazun refugee camp, Bayt Rima, Zeita, and Deir Sharaf; Israeli forces injured 3 Palestinians with rubber-coated bullets during the raid in Jalazun refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested the deputy director of Islamic Waqf, Sheikh Najeh Bakirat, at the Haram al-Sharif compound; Bakirat was later released on 11/28 on the condition that he does not visit the Haram al-Sharif compound for 20 days and the West Bank for 30 days. 2 others were arrested during late-night raids in Silwan and Jabal Mukaber. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/24; MEE, PCHR, WAFA 11/25; MEMO 11/29)

The Jerusalem district planning and building committee advanced plans for a new settlement in East Jerusalem at the abandoned Qalandia Airport, called Atarot airport by Israel. The plan entails 9,000 new settler units intended for ultra-Orthodox Jews. It was later reported that the Israeli government told the U.S. that it would not advance plans for the settlement and had explained that the committee’s work is independent of the government. (TOI, WAFA 11/24; AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEMO 11/25; MEMO, WAFA 11/26; MEMO 11/27; ALM 11/29)

Israel said it would allow 500 Christians living in Gaza—about half of Gaza’s Christian population—to enter Jerusalem and the West Bank for Christmas celebrations. Additionally, 200 Christians in Gaza will be allowed to travel to Jordan for journeys abroad. (HA 11/25)

Israel transferred 1 Palestinian prisoner to a prison hospital in Ramle. The man has been on hunger strike for 47 days to protest his administrative detention. (MEMO 11/25)

The Israeli supreme court rejected an appeal from a Palestinian man whose 3 daughters and 1 niece were killed when Israeli tanks fired shells at his apartment in Gaza in 2009. The court held that the Israeli military is not liable for wartime actions, including killings of civilians. (AP, HA, MEMO 11/24)

According to Syrian media, Israeli air strikes killed 2 civilians and injured 1 civilian and 6 soldiers in the Homs region. According to Syrian officials, Israeli fighter jets fired the missiles from Lebanese air space. (AJ, AP, HA, JP, TOI 11/24)

Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz met with his Moroccan counterpart Abdellatif Loudiyi in Morocco, signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for joint intelligence sharing, research, and military training. Morocco announced on 11/22 that its military had bought anti-drone systems from the Israeli company Skylock Dome. The PLO executive committee condemned the MoU, saying it contravenes agreements made at Arab League summits and the Area Peace initiative. The PFLP and Hamas also publicly condemned Morocco for inviting Defense Minister Gantz. (AJ, AP, MEMO 11/23; AJ, ALM, AP, AX, HA, MEMO, MEMO, TOI 11/24; MEMO 11/25; ALM, MEMO, WAFA 11/26; MEMO 11/27)

Israeli newspaper Calcalist reported that the Israeli government had limited the number of countries that can buy Israeli-made cyber technology, from 102 to 37. Among the countries said to be excluded are Mexico, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The report follows a decision by the U.S. to place bans on 2 Israeli spyware companies earlier this month. (HA 11/25; MEMO 11/26; MEMO 11/27)

Belgium announced that it will label Israeli settlement products by their settlement origin and not as made in Israel. The Israeli government condemned the decision and canceled planned meetings with Belgian officials. (HA, JP, WAFA 11/24; MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA 11/25)

Australia announced that it intends to add all Hezbollah entities as terrorist organization. Australia added Hezbollah’s External Security Organization as a terrorist organization in 2003. The declaration of intent follows the UK’s move to designate all of Hamas as a terrorist organization. (AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, TOI 11/24)

A Jerusalem court ordered the eviction of Israeli settlers from a Palestinian home in Hebron that was acquired by the Israeli settlers on forged documents. The Palestinian family’s home was taken over by settlers in 2005 and the legal proceedings were ongoing since 2007. The Israeli settlers appealed the court’s decision which also stipulated that the settlers must pay the Palestinian family $161,000. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces sealed off the al-Ibrahimi Mosque for Muslim worshippers in preparation for Passover celebrations. Israeli forces also arrested 18 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Salfit, and Ramallah. In the raid near Jenin, Israeli forces fired tear gas, causing dozens of residents to suffer from tear gas inhalation. In East Jerusalem, 170 right-wing Israelis, led by Minister of Agriculture Uri Ariel, stormed Haram al-Sharif with Israeli police escort. In Gaza, a prosthetic hospital was inaugurated to help the many Palestinians in Gaza who have lost limbs. The hospital’s expenses are covered by the Qatar Fund for Development. A day after Israel denied access of Christian Palestinians in Gaza to the West Bank and East Jerusalem for Easter celebrations, Israeli authorities reversed its position, allowing 500 Christians to enter the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Elsewhere in Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire against Palestinian farmers near Rafah and on Palestinian fishermen off the coast of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (AJ, HA, HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA 4/22; HA, MNA, WAFA 4/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a home and several agricultural buildings in villages nr. Hebron; raze 2 dunams (0.5 acre) of agricultural land s. of Hebron; assault and detain a Palestinian man in c. Hebron. They also violently disperse Palestinians gathering in a village nr. Salfit to protest the IDF’s recent closure of the village’s water well; there are no serious injuries. IDF troops escort archaeologists into a village nr. Jenin to photograph ruins in the area, sparking clashes with local residents; conduct late-night raids and house searches in Bayt Jala, Jalazun r.c. and 1 village nr. Ramallah, and 1 village nr. Jenin, arresting 5 Palestinians and issuing an arrest summons to 1; patrol during the day in 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 nr. Salfit. Around 200 Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian homes in a village s. of Jenin late at night, sparking minor clashes with local residents. In East Jerusalem, a French Christian tourist attempts to raise the Israeli flag at Haram al-Sharif, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; at least 7 are arrested, including a number of Islamic Waqf employees. Later, Israeli forces nonviolently disperse a demonstration organized by the Islamic Waqf in protest of the detention of their colleagues earlier in the day; 2 Palestinians are arrested, including 1 journalist. In c. Israel, Israeli forces demolish 3 Palestinian homes in an unrecognized village nr. Tel Aviv. (AFP, JP, MNA, WAFA 8/4; WAFA 8/5; PCHR 8/6)

Hamas dep. chief Abu Marzuq says that Hamas will not work with the 5 new ministers sworn in to the PA consensus govt. on 7/31 and calls for PM Hamdallah to be removed from office. (MNA 8/5)

In the West Bank, the IDF makes a daytime raid into a village nr. Jenin, searching a store and arresting 1 Palestinian. In Jerusalem, Jewish vandals spray graffiti on a Greek Orthodox monastery and school saying “price tag” and “death to Christians.” Jewish settlers fr. Eli settlement nr. Nablus vandalize and spray racist graffiti on the walls of 2 nearby Palestinian stores and a car. OCHA reports that 70% of gas stations in Gaza have closed because of a sharp reduction in the amount of fuel coming through the Rafah smuggling tunnels in the past 2 wks.; OCHA cites unconfirmed reports as indicating that the sharp decline is a result of new restrictions and fees that Egyptian police have imposed on fuel trucks headed to Egyptian Rafah. (WT 2/8; PCHR 2/9; OCHA 2/10; JPI 2/17)

The Vatican announces that Pope Benedict XVI will visit Lebanon in 9/2012 to issue a statement on the future of the Catholic church in the Middle East and “the plight of Christians in the Muslim-dominated Middle East.” (WT 2/8)

In Gaza, the IDF makes an air strike on a car carrying 2 Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades mbrs. nr. Khan Yunis, missing it, wounding 6 bystanders. Gazan PC mbrs. erect a tent in front of the PC headquarters in Gaza City, begin a hunger strike to protest Israel’s ongoing siege. In the West Bank, the IDF fires on stone-throwing Palestinian youths outside Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem, wounding 5 with live ammunition; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus, in Qabatya, and nr. Hebron, Jenin, Qalqilya, Tulkarm. Israel bars access to the Jordan River to 15,000 Christians making a pilgrimage to Jesus’s baptismal cite to mark Orthodox Christian Holy Week, keeping them behind a fence 30 ft. fr. the river. Birzeit University student council elections allot 25 seats to Fatah, 19 to Hamas, 5 each to the PFLP and a joint Islamic Jihad/People’s Party list. Students clash over the results, prompting the university to close the campus until tensions cool. (OCHA, WT 4/23; PCHR 4/24)

IDF troops on the Israeli side of the Qarni crossing shoot, wound 2 Palestinian children (ages 11, 14) who stray nr. the border fence. Islamic Jihad fires a Grad rocket (more accurate, longer range [7.5–12.5 mi.] than homemade Qassam rockets [5–7.5 mi.]), 8 mortars fr. Gaza into Israel, striking 7 mi. fr. the border in Netivot, causing light damage and marking the 4th time a Grad has been fired; the IDF suspects that Islamic Jihad has about a dozen Grads, but the Israeli FMin. says Hamas is ultimately responsible. Palestinians also fire a rocket fr. Gaza toward Israel, but it lands nr. Bayt Hanun, injuring a Palestinian teenager. The ESF demolishes a smuggling tunnel on the Rafah border. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus (an IDF soldier is wounded in an exchange of gunfire in Balata r.c.), in alBireh and Ramallah, nr. Bethlehem and Jenin (targeting Islamic Jihad). A prominent Gaza Christian, Protestant Holy Bible Society dir. Rami Ayyad, is abducted and murdered, raising concerns among Gaza’s Christians; no group takes responsibility. Ayyad had previously received anonymous death threats accusing him of proselytizing; Hamas vows to bring the murderers to justice.Islamic Jihad mbr. ‘Ali Abu Rmila, wounded in an IDF assassination attempt on 8/25 that killed 2 other Islamic Jihad mbrs., dies of his injuries. (IFM, NYT, WP 10//8; OCHA 10/10; PCHR 10/11)

Overnight, the IDF sends troops into Bayt Lahiya to search several Palestinian homes, confiscating phones and money, briefly detaining 4 Palestinians, withdrawing late in the evening. Four unidentified Palestinian gunmen stop, confiscate a UN vehicle in Gaza City. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron, in and around Jenin town and r.c., Nablus. A delegation of more than 30 Palestinian Christian dignitaries, including Christian mbrs. of the PC, meet with the newly appointed mufti of Jerusalem Shaykh Muhammad Husayn to express thanks for the mufti’s strong denunciation of the 9/16–17 church attacks, to hold talks on Muslim-Christian coordination. (OCHA, Women for Palestine press release 9/27; PCHR 9/28)

IDF operations continue in Khan Yunis, where 2 Palestinians are killed in an explosion at the home of a leading Hamas mbr.; Palestinians say IDF tanks shelled the house, whereas the IDF says the men were preparing a bomb that exploded prematurely. The IDF withdraws fr. Khan Yunis late in the day, pledging to return as necessary to halt rocket fire, calling the open-ended operation Operation Violet Iron. The IDF turns over security control of Bethlehem to the PA security forces btwn. Christmas Eve and Armenian Christmas on 1/19; says it will give IDF soldiers manning checkpoints around Bethlehem special instructions on how to handle Christian tourists. The IDF tightens Palestinian movement around Nablus; fires on residential areas of Bayt Hanun (among the injured are children ages 2, 11, 14), Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Qalqilya and nr. Hebron, Nablus, Tulkarm. Palestinians fire at least 12 mortars at Jewish settlements in s. Gaza, causing minor damage but no injuries. (AFP, HA 12/23; VOI 12/23 in WNC 12/25; NYT, WP 12/24; PCHR 12/30)

Palestinian municipal elections begin, with voting in 26 West Bank municipalities. Hamas wins 27% of the seats, Fatah 59%. (PM 12/23; JAZ 12/23 in WNC 12/25; AP, NYT, WP, WT 12/24; JAZ 12/25, JAZ, VOP 12/26 in WNC 12/28; PR 12/29; MEI 1/7)

The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian outside Tulkarm, saying the man fired on their post, causing no injuries; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, wounding an 8-yr.-old Palestinian among others; conducts arrest raids in Jenin, Nablus. Palestinians fire mortars at Gush Katif, causing no damage or injuries. (BBC, HA 7/1; JP, NYT, WP 7/2; PCHR 7/3; VOI 7/3 in WNC 7/10)

In Nazareth, Israeli bulldozers tear down the foundation of a mosque on a site adjacent to the Church of the Annunciation over the tomb of a Muslim saint. Muslims, Christians have disputed the construction of the mosque for 6 yrs. In 4/99, PM Ehud Barak gave formal permission for the project, sparking riots and bringing formal protests fr. the Vatican. In 3/02, Sharon ordered a halt to construction. (MM 7/1; MM, NYT, WT 7/2; JP 7/2 in WNC 7/10; JPI 7/11, 7/25)

Abbas, Sharon hold their 3d mtg. to discuss road map implementation; agree to establish 4 comms. to oversee release of Palestinian political prisoners, a halt to Palestinian incitement, security, trade. Sharon says that Arafat may travel to Gaza “as long as he stays there” and if he asks Israel’s permission. (HA, MM 7/1; AYM, MENA 7/1, Interfax, QA 7/2 in WNC 7/10; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/2; MM 7/4; JPI, MEI 7/11)

In a predawn operation, the IDF sends tanks, troops, APCs into Hebron fr. 3 directions; surrounds several houses; arrests 4 Palestinians, including senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Muhammad Sidr. The IDF also reenters Jenin, imposes a curfew; conducts arrest raids in villages around Bethlehem, Tulkarm; raids, shells residential areas of Khan Yunis and Rafah, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 15, arresting 23. (The IDF withdraws to the outskirts of Bethlehem, Hebron by nightfall.) At least 3 Palestinians are killed before dawn: 1 shot by the IDF emerging fr. a taxi in Salfit, 1 shot by the IDF while trying to circumvent a checkpoint nr. Nablus, 1 who dies of a heart attack at an IDF crossing in Khan Yunis. The IDF is reportedly setting up numerous new roadblocks, checkpoints n. of Jerusalem. Israeli police arrest a Palestinian man, his Israeli Christian wife on charges of driving 2 suicide bombers fr. the West Bank into Israel. (HP, NYT, WT 5/30; HP, NYT, WP 5/31; WT 6/1; WP 6/2, LAW 6/5; WJW 6/6; NYT 6/13)

U.S. Asst. Secy. of State William Burns arrives in Cairo on the first leg of a 4-day regional tour to confer with Egyptian, EU, Israeli, Jordanian, Palestinian leaders. (HA 5/30; MENA 5/30 in WNC 5/31; MM, NYT, WT 5/31; WP, WT 6/1; MENA 6/1 in WNC 6/3)

IDF soldiers fatally shoot 3 Palestinians in Tulkarm; a 4th Palestinian dies of injuries received on 10/22. Heavy shelling, machine gun fire is reported in Bethlehem, Tulkarm. In Bethlehem, Christian and Muslim religious leaders lead 6,000 Palestinians in a peace procession and prayer service, calling on Israel to evacuate the city. In Nablus, 1,000s of Palestinians attend the funeral of assassinated Hamas mbr. Halawih. The IDF sends bulldozers, under cover of heavy machine gun fire, into Bayt Hanun; reinforces troops around Khan Yunis; bulldozes land in al-Qarara, demolishing 1 home, 1 workshop. (AP, MEZ 10/23; NYT, PCHR 10/24; AYM 10/24 in WNC 10/25)

In separate mtgs. with Bush and Powell, Peres rejects the U.S. demand for Israel's immediate withdrawal fr. PA-controlled areas. (AFP, AP, MM 10/23; NYT, WP 10/24; MA 10/24 in WNC 10/25)

The donors' Joint Liaison Comm. and Local Aid Coordination Comm. both meet in Gaza. (World Bank press release 4/19, 5/4)

Israel releases Ghassan Dirani, nephew of Mustafa Dirani (see 3/13), to the Red Cross for repatriation to Lebanon. Lebanese Christian militia men kidnapped Dirani in 1986, hoping to could trade him to Israel, who they thought would want him as a bargaining chip in its efforts to find out what happened to IDF airman Ron Arad, who was downed over Lebanon earlier in 1986, allegedly by mbrs. of Mustafa Dirani's group. Israel took custody of Ghassan in 1990 and had since held him without charge. (NYT, WP 4/6; WT 4/20)

To protest the Israeli High Court's 3/29 decision allowing Palestinians to return to their homes nr. Yatta, Jewish settlers reoccupy the West Bank hilltop where the illegal outpost Havat Maon was dismantled in 11/99 as part of an agmt. btwn. PM Barak and the YESHA settlers council. (NYT 4/6)

The Jordanian air force intercepts the Italian plane that defied UN sanctions on Iraq on 4/3 on its return trip and forces it to land. The plane is impounded, the pilot arrested, and the EU official and Italian filmmaker deported. (MM 4/6, 4/7; JT 4/7 in WNC 4/11; DUS 4/23 in WNC 4/24) (see 4/4)

Pres. Clinton announces that he will meet Syrian pres. Asad in Geneva on 3/26 in hopes of restarting Syrian-Israeli talks. (MM 3/20; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/21; MENA 3/21 in WNC 3/22; MM 3/22; MENA 3/21, Le Monde 3/22 in WNC 3/23; MM, WJW 3/23; MEI 3/24; JP 3/31) (see 3/1)

Pope John Paul II arrives in Jordan on the 1st leg of a 1-wk. Middle East tour, meets with King Abdallah. The pope's theme for the trip is that regional leaders should do more to reach a lasting peace, to promote Christian-Jewish-Muslim understanding. (MM 3/20; al-Quds 3/20 in WNC 3/22; CSM, NYT, WT 3/21; al-Quds 3/21 in WNC 3/23; MEI 3/24)

IDF soldiers open fire on a Palestinian car at a West Bank checkpoint, killing a woman, wounding her husband. The IDF shooting, which was apparently unprovoked, followed a drive-by shooting at nearby Tsurif settlement that wounded 4 Jewish settlers. (WP 3/21; WJW 3/23; MEI 3/24; NYT 4/21)

In Oslo, Norway opens ceremonies honoring slain Israeli PM Yitzhak Rabin, attended by PA's Arafat, Israeli PM Barak, U.S. Pres. Clinton, Russian PM Vladimir Putin. On the sidelines, Clinton meets separately with Arafat and Barak, with no aides present; urges them to move swiftly toward a final status agmt. Toward midnight, Arafat, Barak hold private mtg. (MM 11/1; AFP, ITAR-TASS, SA, XIN 11/1 in WNC 11/2; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/2; AYM, al-Quds 11/2 in WNC 11/4; WJW 11/4)

In Oslo, Israeli negotiator Eran, PA negotiator `Abid Rabbuh, UN special envoy Larsen discuss final status talks, agree that 1st negotiating session to draft framework agmt. will be held on 11/8, not 11/7 as planned on 10/29. (MM 11/1)

2 of 4 Jewish settler families are evacuated fr. Mitzpe Hagit, 1 of 10 settlements ordered removed by Barak. (WP 11/3)

In a compromise agmt. btwn. Israel's Chief Rabinate (an umbrella group of municipal rabbis) and Israel's tourism industry, Christians celebrating millennial holidays in Israel will have to confine their festivities to closed-off hotel halls to preserve the Jewish character of public places, particularly in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv. The ban includes displaying Christmas trees, which the Chief Rabinate claims "defile Judaism and undermine Israel's Jewish character." (WT 11/3)

At the close of 4 days of mtgs. in New York, 300 INC delegates elect a 65-mbr. central council, 7-mbr. leadership team (including "independents," Kurds, an Islamist, and a monarchist). (MM 11/1; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/2)

In s. Lebanon, 4 civilians are injured, 2 by IDF shelling, 2 by an IDF land mine. (RL 11/1 in WNC 11/2, 11/3)

House of Representatives opens hearings on impeachment of Pres. Bill Clinton. (NYT, WP 11/20)

Israeli cabinet approves 1st stage of FRD for 11/20. Maps are presented to the PA for the 1st time. (MM 11/19; IDF Radio, ITV 11/19 in WNC 11/20; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/20; YA 11/20 in WNC 11/23; JP 11/30)

U.S. agrees to give Israel $1.2 b. to cover cost of FRD pending approval of Congress. The PA is also hoping for a $400-m. U.S. economic aid package. (YA 11/19 in WNC 11/20; HA [Internet] 11/20; WP 11/24)

PA rejects Israel's list, presented today, of 250 Palestinians to be freed in the 1st of 3 Israeli prisoner releases agreed to at Wye; says inclusion of 150 common criminals and only 100 political prisoners is a violation of the spirit of Wye. U.S. urges the parties to work the problem out btwn. themselves. (QY 11/19 in WNC 11/20; NYT, WP 11/20; WP 11/22; CSM, WT 11/23)

PA broadcasts a decree against anti-Israeli incitement. (MM 11/19; NYT, WP 11/20; LAW 11/24; MEI 11/27)

Israel tells the Christian community that a second entrance in the wall of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in East Jerusalem must be made to accommodate the many pilgrims expected to come to Jerusalem in 2000. Greek Orthodox Archbishop Christobulos all Christian groups must approve before work can begin. (MA 11/20 in WNC 11/23)

Israeli Shabtai Bloch, a mbr. of the Orthodox Chabad movement, is arrested on charges of plotting an attack on PM Netanyahu to protest the FRD. (NYT, WT 11/20; JP 11/30)

1 Hizballah mbr. is killed in clash with IDF in s. Lebanon. (VOL 11/23 in WNC 11/24)

Israeli, PLO negotiators meet in Cairo to prepare for another round of talks btwn. PLO Chmn. Arafat and Israeli FM Peres to follow up on negotiations in Davos, Switzerland. Israeli PM Rabin and aides play down expectations autonomy accord will be reached soon. (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 2/2)

PLO Chmn. Arafat, addressing UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva, calls for continued investigation of Israeli humanrights violations, saying "the human rights process must go on despite the current negotiations." (WP 2/2)

State Dept. annual report on human rights cites Israel for use of torture, death squads against Palestinians in o.t. (NYT 2/2)

Israel announces plans to test-launch "Arrow 2" missile by end of year, deploy U.S.-funded anti-ballistic missile system by 1997. (WT 2/2)

PLO sources say PLO security officers will go to U.S. for training. (WT 2/2)

B'nai B'rith Int'l. announces return of delegation fr. visit to Morocco, where King Hassan II told it he seeks trade and tourism ties with Israel. (WT 2/2)

Knesset unanimously approves law allowing Israeli state attorney to investigate complaints against Shin Bet. Previously secret police agency, often accused of torture and abuse of prisoners, investigated allegations itself. (MM 2/2; WT 2/9)

4-day "Religious Leadership in Secular Society" conference grouping 400 Christian and Jewish leaders opens in Jerusalem. Frmr. Israeli Chief Rabbi Shlomo Goren refuses to attend, as do many Israeli rabbis. (MM 2/1)

As negotiations break for 10 days, Palestinian head delegate Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi gives Israeli delegates 2 letters for PM Rabin - one urging Israel to address the 10 issues in the Palestinians' 9/1 framework, the other concerning East Jerusalemite Raja Shehadeh (see 9/3). (MM 9/4)

PM Rabin says he is prepared to meet Pres. Asad "any time, any place." (Yedi'ot Aharonot 9/4 in MM 9/4, FBIS 9/8)

Lebanese Christians begin 3-day strike to protest 3rd round of elections (9/6); SLA commander Antun Lahd seals borders of "security zone" to prevent those travelling north to vote from returning. (NYT 9/5; WP 9/7)

Settler shot dead while driving near Dayr al-Bala refugee camp in Gaza, first Israeli killed in Gaza since beginning of intifada. IDF imposes curfew on camp. (MM 1/2)

DM Arens states planned Jewish "civil guard" in o.t. [see 12/25] will be identical to that currently found in Israel proper, and will operate within settlement boundaries. (IDF Radio 1/1 in FBIS 1/2)

Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics states Soviet Jewish immigration has pushed Israeli's population above 5 million for first time. Bureau estimates population, including annexed E. Jerusalem and Golan, as follows: 4.15 million Jews; 695,000 Muslims; 120,000 Christians; 85,000 Druze. (MM 1/2)