The Palestine Chronology

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, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man, saying he had rammed and injured 5 Israeli soldiers near Hebron. Israeli forces also shot and killed a Palestinian man during a raid in al-Eizariya. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man after he allegedly tried to stab Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians and arrested 5 others during a raid in al-Fara’a refugee camp. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and injured 4 Palestinians, including a child, in at-Tayiba, Fawwar refugee camp, al-Arroub refugee camp, and Tuqu. Israeli forces also assaulted 2 Al Jazeera journalists in Dura, stealing all their equipment and mobile phones. Separately, Israeli forces assaulted 2 Palestinian shepherds in Jinba. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Qiffin, Ein as-Sultan, Deir Abu Masha’al, al-Am’ari refugee camp, and Surif. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians trying to reach the Haram al-Sharif compound with skunk water and baton rounds. In Gaza, Israeli forces bombed Khan Yunis, Maghazi, Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City, Rafah, and Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 187 people, including 3 at the Jordanian Field Hospital near Khan Yunis. Israeli forces also opened fire at an aid convoy despite coordination with the Israeli military, damaging a truck. In Lebanon, Islamic Jihad said 2 of its members were killed in Israeli assaults. Israel attacked sites around 10 miles north of the Blue Line. Hezbollah said it had attacked 6 Israeli positions. In Syria, Israeli forces attacked several places, saying rockets fired from Syria landed in the Golan Heights. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/29; UNOCHA 12/30)

More than 21,507 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 8,800 children and 6,300 women, and around 55,915 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 311 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 79 children. More than 3,812 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7. 165 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 898 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. As of 12/23, at least 65,000 housing units had been destroyed and 290,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. (AJ, UNOCHA 12/29; UNOCHA 12/30)

The WHO said it had recorded 180,000 cases of upper respiratory infections, 136,400 cases of diarrhea, half of which were in children under the age of 5, 55,400 cases of lice and scabies, and 5,330 cases of chickenpox in Gaza. (AJ 12/29; UNOCHA 12/30)

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said Israeli forces systematically loot Palestinian homes in Gaza, stealing money and valuables worth more than tens of millions of dollars. Healthcare Workers Watch-Palestine said it had collected testimonies from 10 medical workers arrested by Israel who all say they were tortured while detained.  (WAFA 12/28; AJ 12/29; WAFA 12/30)

The PA foreign ministry said Israel was preventing sufficient aid from entering Gaza, deliberately depriving Palestinians of their basic needs. PA ambassador to the UN Majed Bamya told the UN Security Council that Israel was giving Palestinians in Gaza the option to die or be displaced. UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini said Israel was “creating a stream of baseless misinformation” about UNRWA’s responsibility for the lack of aid deliveries to Gaza, saying it is Israel that is impeding aid deliveries. (AJ 12/29; AJ 12/30)

Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said Israel will not transfer the PA its tax revenue while he is finance minister. It has been reported that U.S. president Joe Biden told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel should hand over the withheld PA funds to Norway, which will keep them until an arrangement is made to safeguard against the funds going to Hamas, a proposal Netanyahu made himself and that the PA reportedly accepted. (AX 12/28; AJ, HA 12/29)

South Africa invoked the Genocide Convention calling on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to expedite hearings on the issue of Israel committing genocide and to order Israel to immediately stop the killing of Palestinians in Gaza. In its report delivered to the ICJ, South Africa described Israel’s actions as “genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial, and ethnical group.” The Israeli Foreign Ministry called the South African action “blood libel.” The PA welcomed the South African action. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 12/29; AJ 12/30; HA 1/1)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken approved the sale of M107 155mm projectiles worth $147.5 million to Israel, bypassing congressional approval. It was the second time the Biden administration bypassed congressional approval for weapons transfers to Israel since 10/7. Relatedly, unnamed Israeli officials told Al-Monitor that the U.S. had started to scale down its military support to Israel due to Israel’s failure to discuss its plans for Gaza after the war. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the Biden administration for forcing through the military aid and said Israel would continue with its war “for many more months.” Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) condemned the congressional bypass, saying it was “keeping the American public in the dark.” (AJ, AX, HA, REU 12/29; AJ, AJ, HA, NYT 12/30)

Walla News reported that Qatari officials have told Israel that Hamas is ready to resume negotiations. Hamas officials have continuedly stated that they will not negotiate while under attack. (AJ, AX 12/29)

Israel claimed the Colombian foreign minister Alvaro Leyva had accepted an invitation by its foreign minister Eli Cohen to discuss repairing ties after Colombia recalled its ambassador to Israel and Colombian president Gustavo Petro called Israeli attacks on Gaza “genocidal.” (AJ 12/29)

Berlin police banned a pro-Palestinian demonstration planned for 12/31. (HA 12/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 5 agricultural structures in Kafr ad-Dik. Israeli forces punitively demolished the family home in Silat al-Harithiya of 1 Palestinian accused of killing an Israeli settler on 12/16/2021 near the Homesh settlement outpost by detonating explosives placed in the house; Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the demolition, killing 1 minor with live ammunition and injuring 17. Israeli forces also demolished 1 agricultural structure and uprooted olive trees in Beit Umar and demolished 1 agricultural structure in Halhul. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police violently dispersed Palestinians with stun grenades, skunk water and rubber-coated bullets who were protesting the reopening of a makeshift outdoor office in Sheikh Jarrah by Itamar Ben-Gvir of the Religious Zionism party; 31 Palestinians were injured, including 6 by rubber-coated bullets and 1 by a stun grenade, and 12 were arrested including Palestinians and settlers. Ben-Gvir and other Israeli settlers declared that they are the “landlords” of Sheikh Jarrah and danced in front of the home of the Salem family who are threatened by eviction in the neighborhood while throwing various objects at the family. Israeli forces also closed off Sheikh Jarrah to Palestinians and pro-Palestinian activists. Israeli forces also removed MK Ahmed Tibi from the home of the Salem family while he was visiting their home in solidarity. Hamas and the PA condemned Ben-Gvir for his provocative acts. The EU expressed concern about the situation in Sheikh Jarrah. 2 Palestinian families demolished their own homes in Sur Baher, displacing 13. (AJ, HA, JP, MEE, MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/13; AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 2/14; TOI 2/15; WAFA 2/16; PCHR 2/17; UNOCHA 2/28)

The Ofer military court convicted the director of the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, Khitam Saafin, of being a member of the PFLP in a plea deal, but dropped all other charges, including the accusation that she had helped funnel donor money to the PFLP through the organization. The later charge was part of the “evidence” leveled by Israel against 6 Palestinian rights organization that were placed on Israel’s list of terror organizations in October 2021. Saafin was sentenced to 16 months in prison but will be released in May, as the sentence included time served. (HA, JP, TOI 2/22)

Israeli prison forces assaulted Palestinian prisoners in Megiddo and Ofer Prisons while raiding prison cells. (WAFA 2/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 46 olive trees in Burin. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Bizariya, damaging 1. Israeli forces detained 25 Palestinians for 8 hours during the night in Hizma. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Deir Sammit and Silat al-Harithiya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians using live ammunition during a late-night raid in Kafr ‘Aqab; 2 were arrested. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting an arrest raid in Silwan with tear gas and skunk water; 2 were arrested. Elsewhere, Israeli forces summoned 10 members of Fatah for questioning at the Oz and Moscovia interrogation centers. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported, In Israel, Palestinians in Umm al-Fahm demonstrated against Israeli settler attacks in Burqa, in the West Bank. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/30; PCHR 1/6)

Haaretz reported that Israel’s religious services minister Matan Kahana had allocated millions of dollars for building 7 synagogues in West Bank settlements and settlement outposts. (HA 12/30)

The PA health ministry said that the PA had received a shipment of 453,600 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX program. 302,400 doses would be administered to Palestinians in the West Bank and 151,200 to Palestinians in Gaza. (WAFA 12/30)

1 Palestinian man from Jenin was sentenced to 21 years in prison for allegedly stabbing 1 Israeli man in Rosh Ha’ayin on 8/15/2020. (HA 12/30)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke to Russian president Vladimir Putin in a phone conversation. (MEMO, WAFA 12/30)

The U.S. announced it is donating $99 million to UNRWA to support the organization’s general programming. (HA 12/30; MEMO, WAFA 12/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized some 600 almond and olive trees in Deir Sharaf. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Kafr Qalil. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinian families demolished their own apartment building in Silwan, displacing 20 Palestinians. 2 Palestinians were arrested in Isawiya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian bird hunters north of al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 12/11; PCHR 12/16)

Municipal elections were held for representatives in 154 village councils in Area C of the West Bank. Some 400,000 Palestinians were eligible to vote in the elections. There were no elections held in Gaza, as Hamas boycotted the elections. A Hamas spokesperson said that Hamas refuses to “participate in partial elections that are tailored to Fatah, and conducted by the PA.” The Central Election Committee said the voter turnout was 65%. The 2d phase of the municipal elections is scheduled to take place on 3/26/2022, when Palestinians in towns and cities will vote. It was later reported that Fatah was perceived as a marginal winner of the election. (WAFA 12/10; AJ, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/11; ALM 12/15)

Israeli mayor of Jerusalem Moshe Leon demanded that the Israeli police in Jerusalem stop using skunk water as a protest dispersal method after it was used to disperse pro-settlement activists, marking the 1-year anniversary of the death of a settler minor who died during a car chase with Israeli forces in the West Bank. (HA 12/12)

9 UN special rapporteurs wrote to EU high commissioner for foreign policy Josep Borrell, urging him to set a short and defined time frame for receiving evidence from Israel that the 6 Palestinian rights organizations deemed terrorist by Israel on 10/22 are linked to terrorism. (JP 12/12; MEMO 12/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian olive trees and threw stones at Palestinian property near Burin. Israeli settlers with military escort also prevented Palestinians from reaching their olive trees to harvest near Yatta. Israeli forces fired tear gas at Palestinians harvesting olives near Zabbuba. Israeli forces also delivered demolition orders for 3 structures under construction in al-Meniya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished parts of their own home in Silwan. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians gathered at the Damascus Gate plaza, firing sound bombs and spraying skunk water at protesters and property; 3 minors were arrested. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian agricultural lands east of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (HA 10/15; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/16; PCHR 10/21)

In Syria, Syrian state media said an Israeli sniper, shooting from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, had assassinated a former Syrian lawmaker, Madhat Saleh, in Ein el-Tinneh. Israeli media had reported that Saleh was an agent operating for Iran. Saleh, who was from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, was imprisoned by Israel for 12 years until he was released in 1997. Saleh’s relatives denied he had any connection to Iran. (HA, WAFA 10/16; AJ, MEMO 10/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked and injured 1 Israeli soldier and damaged 3 vehicles in the Yitzhar settlement as Israeli forces tried to remove 1 settler-erected tent. Israeli settlers also installed water pipes on Palestinian-owned land in Ein al-Sakout. 14 Palestinians were arrested, including 13 during late-night raids in Beita, al-Khader, Umm Salamuna, and Yatta; 1 was arrested at a checkpoint near Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians at the Damascus Gate plaza using stun grenades and skunk water; 2 Palestinians were arrested. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian lands east of al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also opened fire at municipal workers at a landfill near Juhor ad-Dik; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. (JP, WAFA, WAFA 10/11; HA, TOI 10/12; PCHR 10/14)

Founder of Rawabi City Bashar Masri announced that he will begin building 400 housing units on land belonging to the Greek Orthodox Church in East Jerusalem near Bayt Hanina. Masri said it had taken him more than 10 years to get the building permits from the Israeli municipality. (WAFA 10/11)

Israel issued permits for 442 undocumented Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza, making them official residents. Israel controls the Palestinian population registry so people without Israeli permits cannot receive a valid PA-issued identity card. More than 10,000 Palestinians are estimated to be living in the West Bank without being registered by Israel. Israel is said to register over 5,000 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza as part of an agreement made between Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz and PA president Mahmoud Abbas. (HA, TOI 10/11)

The Israeli high court of justice criticized the Israeli military for not protecting Palestinian farmers by enforcing a ban on Israeli settlers in the former Homesh settlement area. Because of the lack of enforcement, Palestinian farmers are frequently attacked by Israeli settlers in the area and Israeli settlers have erected a settlement outpost and a Yeshiva on the land. (HA 10/12)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Pope Francis on the phone. (WAFA 10/11)

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said that Israel will never renounce its claim to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, even if Syria or its president Bashir al-Assad gains favor with the world. Prime Minister Bennett also said that his government seeks to increase the Israeli settler population in the area from 27,000 to 100,000. (MEE, MEMO, REU, TOI 10/11; ALM 10/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers from the Neve Daniel and Elazar settlements sprayed pesticides on 140 olive saplings in al-Khader, destroying the young trees. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Tubas, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also installed a metal gate at the entrance to Jabal al-Fardi east of Bethlehem, restricting the movement of Palestinians. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during late-night raids in and around Bani Na‘im and Hebron, and 1 was arrested at a checkpoint near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces used skunk water and stun grenades to disperse Palestinian protesters in Sheikh Jarrah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/31; PCHR 8/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces started construction of a settler-only road near Hizma. Israeli forces also razed land in Jalud. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 residential structure and 1 agricultural structure in al-Twana. Israeli forces also demolished an irrigation pool in Bardala. 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Dahaysha refugee camp, Awarta, Bayt Ibia, and Bayt Rima. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested during a house raid in al-Tur; during the raid, Israeli forces sprayed skunk water on protesters. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya and within 6 nautical miles west of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. In Israel, Israeli forces raided a Palestinian section of the Megiddo Prison, injuring 3 Palestinian prisoners with rubber-coated bullets. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/8; PCHR 6/10)

Fatah and Hamas senior officials were in Cairo for talks with Egypt’s intelligence chief Abbas Kamel. The Hamas delegation included the leader of the politburo Ismail Haniyeh and the Fatah delegation was led by secretary general of the Fatah central committee Jibril Rajoub. The 2 groups were said to be discussing stabilizing the cease-fire between Hamas and Israel, and the reconstruction of Gaza. It was unclear if the Fatah and Hamas delegations were in direct or indirect talks. (ALM, HA, REU 6/8)

Israel’s security cabinet postponed the controversial Flag March, where Israeli right-wingers and settlers provocatively march throughout the Old City of East Jerusalem from 6/10 to 6/15. 6/15 would be 2 days after the new Israeli government is sworn in. (AJ, AP, HA, REU, TOI 6/8; ALM, JP 6/9)

Speaker of the Knesset Yariv Levin announced that the parliament would vote to confirm the new government on 6/13. (AJ, ALM, AP 6/8; HA 6/9)

Haaretz reported that an Israeli spyware company with ties to the Israeli military, Quadream, had sold spyware to Saudi Arabia that can infiltrate iPhones without clicking on a link, which is usually necessary to activate. The spyware enables the operator to view all information in the phone’s storage and use the phone’s microphone to eavesdrop. (HA 6/8)

Israel released 2 Jordanian citizens who had crossed into Israel from Jordan on 5/17. Jordan had earlier complained that its diplomats could not offer legal aid to the 2. (HA 6/8)

Israeli forces conducted air strikes in Syria while using Lebanese air space, reportedly killing 11 people near Homs. Israel also attacked Damascus, but the missiles were said to have been intercepted. (AP, HA, REU 6/8; AJ, FOX 6/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinians near Nablus by throwing stones and physically assaulting them, causing their hospitalization. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint in Za’atra and injured 1 other; Israeli forces claimed that 2 were in a car and refused to stop at the checkpoint. Israeli forces also violently dispersed protesters at a checkpoint north of Ramallah, injuring 9 Palestinians with rubber-coated bullets. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed protesters at the Qalandia checkpoint, injuring 37 Palestinians using rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Jenin, injuring 1 with live ammunition while others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters, injuring 2 using live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Tulkarm, injuring 1 with live ammunition; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 7 with live ammunition and 10 with rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also injured 1 with a tear gas canister in Bethlehem. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at the Huwwara checkpoint, injuring 5 with rubber-coated bullets. 14 Palestinians were arrested, including 13 at checkpoints in Tulkarm, Huwwara, and Jenin, and 1 was arrested during a late-night raid in Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed a sit-in protest against evictions in Shaykh Jarrah, spraying skunk water at protesters and arresting 3 residents. 6 other Palestinians were arrested, including 4 at a checkpoint in Issawiyya and 2 during late-night raids in Silwan and al-Tur. In Gaza, 10 Palestinians, including 1 child, were killed in Israeli air strikes, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 20 to 30, including 10 children. The casualties included: 2, and 2 injured in an air strike on a 7-story building in al-Shati camp; 6, and at least 8 injured in 3 air strikes on apartment buildings in Gaza City; and 2 in an air strike near a chicken farm southwest of Dayr al-Balah. Additionally, Israeli air strikes damaged or destroyed dozens of buildings, including 1 14-story residential and commercial building, the Hanadi Tower west of Gaza City, 1 ice cream factory south of Gaza City, 1 health clinic and police station in Bayt Lahiya, 1 large school in Dayr al-Balah. Hamas reported that Israeli air strikes had destroyed all police buildings in Gaza. In Israel, 5 were killed by rockets from Gaza, including 2 Palestinian citizens of Israel, who were killed by a rocket fired from Gaza near Lydda, and 2 Jewish-Israelis and 1 Indian national in Ashkelon and Tel Aviv. 1 rocket fired from Gaza also damaged an Israeli pipeline in Ashkelon, igniting a large oil fire. A state of emergency was also declared in Lydda after a synagogue and some 30 cars were set on fire as Jewish-Israelis and Palestinian citizens of Israel clashed. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian-Israelis in Lydda after a protest erupted following a funeral of 1 Palestinian citizen of Israel who was killed by a Jewish-Israeli on 5/10; 12 Palestinian-Israelis were injured by stun grenades and rubber-coated bullets. Clashes also ensued in Ramla and a synagogue, a marketplace, and a Muslim cemetery were set on fire. In Acre, 1 police station and 1 restaurant were set on fire. 19 Palestinian citizens of Israel were arrested after trash bins were set on fire and stones were thrown at Israeli police in Haifa. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian-Israeli protesters in Jaffa, arresting 3; 2 police officers were reportedly injured. Clashes between Jewish-Israelis and Palestinian-Israelis were also reported in Beersheba. Israeli forces said that the Iron Dome had intercepted 85-90% of around 850 rockets fired from Gaza since 5/10. (AJ 5/10; AJ, AJ, AX, CBS, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, NYT, PCHR, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/11; AJ, AJ, AP, AP, BBC, CNN, CNN, HA, HA, HA, JP, MEMO, PCHR, PCHR, REU, REU, TOI 5/12; HA 5/18; WAFA 5/19; PCHR 5/20; MEE 5/21; NYT 5/26)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas canceled Eid al-Fitr celebrations to mourn for the Palestinians killed by Israel in the last couple of days. (MEMO 5/12)

A Spokesperson for the U.S. national security advisor said chief of Palestinian affairs at the U.S. embassy in Israel George Noll had delivered a letter from U.S. president Joe Biden to PA president Mahmoud Abbas. The spokesperson would not say what the letter was about, saying it was part of the administrations outreach to “the Palestinian leadership.” (HILL, WAFA 5/11)

The Arab League secretary-general Ahmed Aboul Gheit said Israel was responsible for the escalation between Hamas and Israel, stating that “Israeli violations in Jerusalem . . . is what led to the ignition of the situation in this dangerous way.” Secretary-general Gheit’s comments came after a meeting of Arab League foreign secretaries discussing the situation. (AJ, REU 5/11)

Haaretz reported that Palestinian and Egyptian sources said that talks to end the escalation between Hamas and Israel had ended due to opposition from Islamic Jihad and Israel. Leader of Hamas Ismail Haniyeh said that the escalation was started by Israel and that Hamas is ready for “an escalation and ready for calm, on the condition that they end the aggression against al-Quds.” Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “Hamas and Islamic Jihad have paid—and will pay—a heavy price for their aggression . . . It will take time. We’ll restore security for the citizens of Israel.” (AJ, HA, MEMO 5/12)

It was reported that the U.S. was delaying a UN security council (UNSC) statement addressing the Israeli aggression in Jerusalem, and escalation of the conflict between Hamas and Israel. A UNSC emergency meeting was called on 5/9 by Tunisia and 9 other countries. The state department spokesperson Ned Price said secretary of state Antony Blinken, national security advisor Jake Sullivan, and deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman had talked to their Israeli counterparts and unnamed Palestinian officials. The White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said that President Joe Biden’s “support for Israel security, for its legitimate right to defend itself and its people is fundamental and will never waver . . . We condemn ongoing rocket attacks by Hamas and other terrorist groups, including against Jerusalem.” (HA, HA, REU 5/11; AP, HA 5/12)

The 57 members of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation released a joint communiqué after an emergency meeting, calling Israeli attacks on the Haram al-Sharif compound “barbaric” and said the nations consider Israel’s attacks a “serious violation of international law.” (HA 5/11)

The U.S. treasury department sanctioned 7 Lebanese people for transferring $500 million on behalf of Hezbollah. (AJ, AP, REU 5/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided al-Twana and near Yatta. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near Huwwara, al-Jalama checkpoint, and in Beita, causing tear-gas related injuries. 2 Palestinians were arrested at a checkpoint near Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces attacked Palestinian worshipers at the Haram al-Sharif compound, including inside al-Aqsa Mosque, injuring more than 100 with tear gas, stun grenades, and rubber-coated bullets; the Palestinian Red Crescent had set up a makeshift field office at the compound, but said that Israeli forces prevented the organization from evacuating injured Palestinians; around 30 were hospitalized. Israeli forces also dispersed Palestinians gathered around the Damascus Gate plaza using skunk water and stun grenades. Elsewhere, Israeli forces physically assaulted Palestinians in Shaykh Jarrah and arrested 5 protesters. Palestinians reportedly threw stones at Israeli settler vehicles in Shaykh Jarrah. 29 Palestinians were arrested in house raids throughout East Jerusalem. In Gaza, Israel said incendiary balloons from Gaza had sparked 10 fires in Israel. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians by the Gaza fence near al-Bureij, protesting in solidarity with Palestinians in East Jerusalem, injuring 3. In Israel, Israeli forces blocked several buses carrying Palestinian citizens of Israeli to East Jerusalem where they were going to pray at the Haram al-Sharif compound; hundreds of the worshipers subsequently marched on the highway toward East Jerusalem, blocking the highway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. (AJ, HA, MEE, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/8; AJ, AP, BBC, HA, HA, HA, NPR, WAFA, WAFA 5/9; HA 5/10; PCHR 5/11)

The Jordanian foreign ministry called on the international community to pressure Israel to cease the attack on Palestinian worshipers at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also tweeted in Hebrew that Turkey “will continue to stand by our Palestinian brothers and sisters under any circumstances.” President Erdoğan also called Israel a “terror state.” Egypt, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, the EU, and the UAE also condemned the Israeli violence and threats of evicting Palestinian families in Shaykh Jarrah. (HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to large swaths of farmland and attacked 3 houses in Burin. Israeli settlers also set up a settlement outpost near Beita. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians trying to prevent the settlers from setting up a mobile home on their land near al-Buqa‘a, beating them and using pepper-spray. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles driving near Turmus ‘Ayya, leading to 1 injury and causing damage. Israeli forces demolished 1 residential structure in al-Khadir and 1 car wash in Bayt Jala. Israeli forces also seized 1 dunam (0.25 acres) of land in Tuqu‘ and delivered a stop-work order for 1 agricultural structure near Dura. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tarqumiyya, Surayf, Bayt Umar, Turmus ‘Ayya, and Aqraba. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Shaykh Jarrah, spraying skunk water and physically assaulting several protesters; 6 Palestinians were injured, including 2 who were taken to a hospital, and 3 were arrested. 5 others were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/4; AJ, AJ, ALM, HA, MEE, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 5/5; PCHR 5/6)

The leader of the Hamas military wing Mohammed Deif warned Israel against evicting Palestinians from their homes in Shaykh Jarrah, saying Hamas will respond to the Israeli aggression. (AJ, AP, HA 5/5)

Member of Hamas’ politburo Mahmoud al-Zahar called on Palestinian factions to reactivate the Palestinian parliament, calling it the only legitimate Palestinian institution. (MEMO 5/5)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s mandate for forming a government expired, leaving Israeli president Reuven Rivlin to choose another candidate or seeing if the Knesset members can choose a candidate. (AJ, AP, AX, MEE 5/4; HA 5/5)

Israel and Lebanon resumed U.S.-mediated indirect talks over their maritime border dispute after talks last stalled in October last year. (AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, REU 5/4)

U.S. president Joe Biden expressed support for UAE’s normalization deal with Israel in a phone call with UAE crown prince Shaykh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. (HA, REU 5/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized some 100 olive saplings in Qusra. An Israeli settler also opened fire at PA Lands and Water Authority employees working near al-Twana; no injuries were reported and the settler was detained by Israeli forces. 1 Palestinian was arrested at a checkpoint southwest of Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Jabal Mukabir and Israeli forces razed land east of Issawiyya. Israeli forces also sprayed skunk water at Palestinian homes and arrested 1 minor during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. 1 other Palestinian was arrested during a house raid in Abu Tor. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of al-Qarara, Abasan, and Bayt Hanun; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 4/4; WAFA 4/5; PCHR 4/8)

The Palestinian election committee said it had approved all 36 candidate lists submitted for the Palestinian legislative elections on 5/22. (AJ, TOI 4/4; AN 4/5)

Romania announced a $180,000 contribution to the UNRWA. (WAFA 4/6)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian prisoner stabbed and lightly wounded an Israeli warden at Ofer Prison. Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian family in Hebron, causing light injuries. 2 Palestinians were hospitalized after being hit by rubber-coated bullets during a confrontation with Israeli forces in Hebron. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting against the U.S. administration’s peace plan in and around Qalqilya and Tulkarm, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 18 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Qalandia, Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus, Qalqilya, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 3 Palestinian fishermen off the shore of Dayr al-Balah within the allowed fishing area; their fishing boat was also confiscated. Separately, Israeli naval forces opened fire and sprayed skunk water on fishermen west of Rafah. In Israel, 6 incendiary balloons were reportedly found in different places near Gaza; no damage was reported. (HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/3; PCHR 2/4; PCHR 2/6)

The PA minister of agriculture announced that the PA had decided to ban entry of Israeli products to the Palestinian market. The decision comes a day after Israel started banning imports of agricultural products from the West Bank. (WAFA 2/3)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation issued a statement after an extraordinary summit in Jeddah calling “on all member states not to engage with this plan [the U.S. administration’s peace plan] or to cooperate with the U.S. administration in implementing it in any form.” (HA, WAFA 2/3)

In the West Bank, thousands of Palestinians marched to commemorate the 71st Nakba Day in Bethlehem and Ramallah. Israeli forces also arrested 7 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jenin, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli civil administration delivered 20 demolition notices to Palestinian buildings in Issawiya and 2 for buildings in Shu‘fat refugee camp. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Silwan. Also in East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian teen was hospitalized after being assaulted by Israeli settlers, who during the assault, was yelling “Death to Arabs.” In Gaza, thousands of people commemorated Nakba Day along the Gaza fence. Israeli forces suppressed the commemoration protest using live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, tear gas, and skunk spray, injuring 65 people. 16 Palestinians were wounded by live ammunition and 14 by rubber-coated bullets. One Palestinian was arrested trying to cross into Israel. Israeli officials reported 9 fires in Israel as a result of incendiary balloons. No injuries were reported in relation to the fires. Off the coast of Gaza, a Palestinian fishermen was injured by Israeli naval forces. (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/15; HA, MNA, WAFA 5/16)

The Israeli high court of justice rejected a petition by a Gaza company producing snacks to allow it to sell its products in the West Bank. The high court sided with the Israeli states argument that it was the PA’s fault that the company could not sell its products in the West Bank. According to Haaretz, there is no clear procedure to how a request the exporting of goods from Gaza to the West Bank. (HA 5/15)

Official data on Israeli government spending on Israeli settlements in the West Bank obtained by AP news agency shows that spending on settlements rose from $330 million in 2016 to $459 million in 2017, the year Donald Trump became the U.S. president. (AJ 5/15)

PA foreign minister Riyad Maliki submitted a memorial to the international court of justice regarding the U.S. relocation of its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in May 2018. (WAFA 5/15)

In the West Bank, several Palestinians were arrested by Israeli forces near Khillet al-Dabe village while attempting to plant olive trees. On a road near Ramallah, around 15 Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles passing by the settlers. Damage was reported, but no injuries. Settlers also razed Palestinian farmland in Burin in the West Bank. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police detained an employee of the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf for opening the doors to Bab al-Rahma. A similar incident unfolded on 4/1. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land near Khan Yunis. Israeli naval forces attacked Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles from the coast of Gaza City by firing live ammunition at them and spraying with the non-lethal weapon Skunk. A Palestinian teen shot by Israeli forces by the Gaza fence on 4/3 succumbed to his injuries at an Israeli hospital. In Israel, an incendiary balloon was found in a cemetery in the Israeli city Kiryat Gat. Elsewhere in Israel, the Bedouin village of al-Araqib was demolished for the 142d time. Israeli prison forces raided section 1 of the Negev prison and transferred prisoners to other sections of the prison. (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/4)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with Israeli radio that “All the options are still on the table, including entering Gaza and occupying it, out of consideration of what is best for Israel.” He also said in the interview that he had explored the option of having another country take charge of Gaza, but no one had volunteered. (JP 4/4; MNA 4/5)

The Japanese embassy in Lebanon announced that Japan would contribute an additional $6 million for UNRWA projects in Lebanon. (MNA, WAFA 4/5)

In the West Bank, during the funeral procession for the 23-year-old Palestinian man killed 4/1 during a late-night raid in Qalandia refugee camp in the West Bank, 2 Palestinians, both minors, were injured and taken to a hospital after Israeli forces shot at the crowd. Elsewhere in the West Bank, a 3-story Palestinian-owned building in Bir Oneh near Bethlehem was demolished by Israeli forces. In Hebron’s Israeli-controlled area, students and teachers were injured when Israeli forces fired tear gas next to a school. Israeli settlers vandalized the Palestinian town of Dayr Jarir by spraying racist graffiti and cut down some 400 grapevines and 150 almond trees. In East Jerusalem, a 2-story Palestinian-owned building was demolished by Israeli forces in Shu‘fat refugee camp. The owner of the demolished building later in the day received a bill of over $40,000 for the demolition cost. In Gaza, a 25-year-old Palestinian succumbed to wounds sustained on 3/30 during the Great March of Return protests. The man was shot by Israeli snipers. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 218. Off the coast of Gaza, 1 Palestinian fisherman was injured by Egyptian navy forces firing live ammunition toward fishermen. 4 other Palestinian fishermen were detained by the Egyptian forces. In a separate incident, Israeli naval forces sprayed Skunk, a non-lethal weapon developed in Israel, at Palestinian fishermen. Israeli forces also fired a missile at a group of Palestinian youths who allegedly were launching incendiary balloons. (MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/2; HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MEMO 4/3)

Stabbing and other small-scale violent incidents continue in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) and Israel. In Tel Aviv, 2 Palestinians armed with knives attack a group of Israelis at an office building, killing 2 and injuring 2. Israeli police arrest 1 of the attackers and the other flees. Later, IDF troops raid the Hebron-area home of 1 of the suspects, delivering punitive demolition orders and arresting 3. Nr. Bethlehem, a Palestinian driver opens fire in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc, injuring 10 settlers and killing 3 others, including a U.S. citizen. Israeli forces shoot at the driver, causing him to crash his car and killing 1 Palestinian bystander in the crossfire; they arrest the driver at the scene. In c. Hebron, Israeli forces fire tear gas and skunk water, blocking a number of Palestinian children from accessing their school, after a Palestinian allegedly throws a tear gas canister at an Israeli checkpoint and injures a soldier. Also, a Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained in clashes with the IDF on 11/11. (HA, MNA, NYT, WAFA, YA 11/19; PCHR 11/26)

Elsewhere, a number of Palestinian municipalities in Israel, including Nazareth, Rahat, and Sakhnin, go on strike in protest of the 11/16 outlawing of the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement. In the West Bank, IDF troops and stone-throwers clash during raids in Dahaysha r.c. and patrols nr. Jenin, injuring 4 Palestinians and arresting 1, respectively. Israeli forces continue their string of late-night house searches and raids in the Hebron, Ramallah, Jalazun r.c., and Dahaysha r.c. areas, arresting 12 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 4; patrol during the day nr. Jenin, Tulkarm, Salfit, Hebron, and Qalqilya. Israeli settlers leave racist graffiti and throw stones at Palestinian homes in a village nr. Ramallah late at night, causing minor damage. Israeli forces begin demolishing a synagogue in the Givat Ze’ev settlement nr. Jerusalem, pursuant to the Israeli govt.’s 11/16 compromise with settler leaders (the demolition will be completed by 12/10). In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces clash with and violently disperse Palestinians at a checkpoint in Abu Dis, seriously injuring 1 Palestinian; arrest 4 Palestinians on raids in Issawiyya and Jabal Mukabir; assault a Palestinian youth in Ras al-Amud. (EI, HA, MNA, NYT, WAFA, YA 11/19; MNA, TOI 11/20; PCHR 11/26)

Israel’s Coordinator of Govt. Activities in the Territories (COGAT) Unit cmdr. Yoav Mordechai signs an agreement with the PA Minister of Civil Affairs Hassan al-Shaykh to grant Palestinian mobile phone users in the West Bank access to 3G high-speed data services. The new services are expected to be in place by mid-2016. (AP, HA 11/19)

In the evening, IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Gaza City fire an artillery shell at a Palestinian home but it does not explode, causing damage but no injuries to the 4 adults and 8 children inside. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 4 villages nr. Ramallah, 2 nr. Qalqilya and 1 nr. Tulkarm during the day; conducts late-night patrols in Jenin town and r.c., 4 villages nr Jenin, 2 nr. Qalqilya, 2 nr. Salfit, 1 nr. Tulkarm. Palestinians (sometimes accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil’in, Nabi Salih, and Ni`lin; demonstrations in Bil’in also call for solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. IDF soldiers fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, causing no reported injuries. Palestinians and international activists also hold 3 large nonviolent demonstrations and marches in various parts of Hebron to mark the 18th anniversary of the Tomb of the Patriarchs massacre. IDF soldiers fire foul-smelling skunk spray, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters. In total, 13 Palestinians are moderately injured and hospitalized 27 are lightly injured and treated by medical crews at the scene, and 2 Palestinians and 1 international are arrested. (PCHR 3/1; OCHA 3/2)

Meanwhile, Palestinians responding to rumors (claimed by Israel to be false) that Israeli security forces plan to escort a group of right-wing Jews onto the al-Aqsa Mosque compound march on the IDF’s al-Ram checkpoint into Jerusalem, blocking the access road with burning tires, throwing stones, and setting off fire works, injuring 11 Israeli soldiers and border police. The IDF fires live ammunition, tear gas, and percussion grenades at the protesters, killing 1 Palestinian. (WP 2/27; PCHR 3/1)

Speaking at Friday prayers in Cairo’s al-Azhar Mosque, Hamas’s acting PM in Gaza, Haniyeh, issues the movement’s 1st public call supporting the Syrian opposition, stating: “I salute all people of the Arab Spring . . . and I salute the heroic people of Syria who are striving for freedom, democracy, and reform.” (NYT, WP 2/25; JPI 3/9)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Qalqilya. Palestinians of Bil‘in host an international conference calling for peaceful popular resistance against the separation wall. Afterward, participants (including EU special envoy Marc Otte and more than 20 other Arab and foreign diplomats) march peacefully toward the wall; IDF troops fire rubber-coated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas at demonstrators injuring 7 (5 Palestinians, including 2 journalists; 1 Israeli; 1 international) and arresting 5 (3 Israelis, including 1 journalist; 1 American; 1 Palestinian). The IDF also fires rubber-coated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, international activists, some of whom throw stones at IDF troops, taking part in weekly protests against the wall in Ni‘lin (4 Palestinians injured); fires rubber-coated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas, and skunk (a foulsmelling liquid) at peaceful Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists taking part in weekly demonstrations against settlement expansion in Dayr Nizam/al-Nabi Salih. Jewish settlers uproot 20 olive trees nr. Salfit. (OCHA, PCHR 4/29)

The IDF makes a brief incursion into s. Gaza to level land and clear lines of sight e. of Abasan, Khuza, and al-Fukhari villages. (PCHR 8/27)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas, skunk (a foul-smelling liquid) at Palestinians and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation); fires rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas and violently beats a number of Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in al-Ma‘sara (injuring 2, including 1 teenager); fires rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian activists, some of whom throw stones at IDF troops, taking part in a demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation); implements additional security restrictions on the movements of Palestinians in the old city of Hebron, which prevents a number of them fr. entering the al-Ibrahimi Mosque/ Tomb of the Patriarchs for Friday prayers; conducts late-night raids, house searches in Surif village nr. Hebron, arresting 2 Palestinians. (OCHA 8/25; PCHR 8/27)

Israeli naval boats fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the Rafah coast to force them back to shore, seriously wounding a 12-yr.-old Palestinian boy on the beach with a gunshot to the head. In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, stun grenades, skunk at stone-throwing Palestinians protesting the separation wall in Bil‘in; fires rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas, percussion grenades at Palestinian and international activists holding nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall in al-Ma‘sara and Ni‘lin, causing no major injuries; conducts late-night house searches in and around Jenin, making no arrests. In Rafah, Hamas police and Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades (IQB) mbrs. attempt to arrest SCG leader Shaykh ‘Abd al-Latif Musa, surrounding his mosque during Friday prayers, sparking a 7-hr. battle that leaves 24 Palestinians dead (12 SCG, 6 Hamas, 6 bystanders), 130 injured (including a boy inside Egyptian Rafah), and 95 SCG supporters under arrest. The dead include Shaykh Musa, who reportedly commits suicide by detonating an explosives belt, killing s. Gaza IQB cmdr. Muhammad Jibril Shamali, who led the raid. (Agence France-Presse 8/14; MNA, NYT, WP, WT 8/16; Jerusalem Post, OCHA, PCHR 8/20)

Israel allows 973 Palestinians to transit through the Rafah crossing (881 going into Egypt, 92 returning to Gaza). In the West Bank, IDF troops catch a Palestinian man attempting to scale the separation wall in al-Ram to gain access to Jerusalem to find work; they force the man to stand on top of the wall and jump to the ground, causing him to fracture both legs; they then order him to crawl to a military jeep where they handcuff him before giving him medical attention. The IDF also fires rubbercoated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas, and skunk at stone-throwing Palestinians protesting the separation wall in Bil‘in; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas at Palestinian and international activists demonstrating against the separation wall in Ni‘lin, causing no serious injuries; fire stun grenades and tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists nr. Nablus protesting the IDF’s bulldozing of large areas of Palestinian land for the expansion of Brakha settlement. (OCHA, PCHR 8/13)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas, skunk at stone-throwing Palestinians protesting the separation wall in Bil‘in; fires stun grenades at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in al-Ma‘sara, severely beating 3 international activists and a Palestinian journalist covering the event; conducts synchronized late-night house searches in and n. of Tulkarm, making no arrests; stages other late-night arrest raids, house searches in Bethlehem and nr. Hebron, Jenin, Ramallah, Salfit. Jewish settlers set up tents on a plot of Palestinian land in Kafr Qaddum village nr. Qalqilya establishing a new unauthorized outpost; settlers tried to occupy the site previously, but the Palestinian owner, who recently died, had won a court ruling evicting them. Jewish settlers fr. Harsina and Kiryat Arba settlements occupy a plot of Palestinian land nr. Hebron, erect a tent, and plant trees in an effort to establish a new unauthorized outpost. Jewish settlers fr. Karme Tzur nr. Hebron bulldoze large tracks of Palestinian agricultural land and uproot trees nearby to expand the settlement. (OCHA, PCHR 8/6)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas, and skunk at stone-throwing Palestinians demonstrating against the separation wall in Bil‘in, causing no serious injuries; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin, injuring 3 Palestinians (2 with head injuries fr. high-velocity tear gas canisters); conducts late-night house searches s. of Jenin, making no arrests. Jewish settlers escorted by IDF troops begin to fence off a 40 d. plot of Palestinian land in Burin village s. of Nablus for a new settlement outpost; Israeli police remove the settlers and instruct Palestinians to file proof of ownership of the land with Israeli military liaison officers. (OCHA, PCHR 7/30)

In the West Bank, the IDF declares 300 d. of Palestinian agricultural land e. of Carmiel settlement nr. Hebron a closed military zone; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas, and a foul-smelling spray called “skunk” (not used by the IDF for many mos.; see Quarterly Update in JPS 149) at stone-throwing Palestinians protesting the separation wall in Bil‘in, causing no major injuries; fires tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in al-Ma‘sara, violently beating 3 Palestinian demonstrators (including a 14-yr.-old boy); conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Bil‘in, nr. Hebron. (OCHA, CHR 7/23)

An Israeli security official confirms that Israel allowed 900 assault weapons and ammunition to be transferred to PA security forces in late 8/08 to build the capacity of forces loyal to Abbas; the arms came via Jordan, but the source is not noted. In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, skunk spray at Palestinian, Israeli, international peace activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in, wounding 1; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international peace activists taking part in a similar nonviolent demonstration in Ni‘lin, injuring 2; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Nablus, neighboring ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c., and al-Til, and nr. Bethlehem and Jenin. Jewish settlers fr. Beit HaShalom attack Palestinians, vandalize nearby homes. The IDF declares the Joseph’s Tomb area nr. Nablus a closed military zone, escorts Jewish settlers to the site to pray. (NYT 9/6; OCHA 9/10; PCHR 9/11; AIC 11/9)

Israeli naval vessels seize 9 Palestinian fishing boats off the Bayt Lahiya coast, detaining 9 fishermen for questioning, releasing them in the evening. In the West Bank, the IDF makes an afternoon raid into al-Til nr. Nablus, arresting 1 Palestinian; fires tear gas, skunk spray at Palestinian, Israeli, international peace activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in, wounding 1; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international peace activists taking part in a similar nonviolent demonstration in Ni‘lin, injuring 3; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus and nr. Jenin. Jewish settlers fr. Beit HaShalom and Kiryat Arba attack Palestinians and vandalize Palestinian homes in Wadi al-Nassara; the IDF observes but does not intervene. A Palestinian is killed when he accidentally triggers unexploded IDF ordnance (UXO) in a field nr. Jenin. The Ramallah-based, Fatah-led Health Workers’ Union calls on PA health providers in Gaza to strike to protest the acting Hamas government; this strikes continues through the end of the quarter. (OCHA 9/3; PCHR 9/4)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Ramallah and neighboring al-Bireh; fires tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets at Palestinian, Israeli, international peace activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration in Ni‘lin (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation); conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Silwad nr. Ramallah, nr. Bethlehem; fires tear gas, skunk spray (see Quarterly Update in JPS 149) at Palestinian, Israeli, international peace activists taking part in a similar nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in. Separately, Jewish settlers fr. Matityahu settlement nr. Ramallah fire on a Palestinian home in Bil‘in, causing no injuries. In 2 incidents in East Jerusalem, Jewish settlers vandalize 20 graves in a Muslim cemetery; attempt to seize a strip of Palestinian land, but are chased off by local Palestinians. (OCHA 8/27; PCHR 8/28)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas, “skunk” spray at Palestinian, Israeli, international activists taking part in the weekly nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 1 Palestinian, 1 German, 2 Americans); fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (wounding 9); conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin and Nablus, in Bethlehem, nr. Hebron. (OCHA 8/20; PCHR 8/21)