The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, a Palestinian man succumbed to injuries sustained during the airstrikes on Tulkarm refugee camp on 11/17. Israeli settlers attacked and wounded several Palestinian farmers in Ramin and vandalized their cars. Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian during a raid in Aqrabat Jaber refugee camp. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians celebrating the release of prisoners near the Ofer Prison, injuring 3 with live ammunition, 4 with baton rounds, and 22 with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and injured 5 Palestinian during raids in Nablus, Deir al-Ghusun, and Tuqu’. Israeli forces also punitively demolished the family home in Rumana of a Palestinian who was shot dead by Israeli police in Tel Aviv earlier this year after he allegedly shot and killed several Israelis. Elsewhere, Israeli forces assaulted 5 Palestinians, arresting them and seizing their vehicles at a flying checkpoint near Aqraba. Israeli forces also assaulted 2 Palestinians during a raid in Taqqou. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians trying to reach the Haram al-Sharif compound from Wadi al-Juz, causing injuries from beatings and tear gas. Israeli forces also raided the homes of 3 Palestinian prisoners in Jabel Mukaber and Bayt Hanina, warning their families not to celebrate their release. In Gaza, before the ceasefire took effect (see below), Israeli forces raided the Indonesian Hospital, killing a wounded woman and injuring 3 others after shelling and destroying the first floor of the hospital. Israeli forces also bombed Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 27 people. After the ceasefire took effect, Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians and wounded 15 others who were trying to return to northern Gaza from the south. Israel said it would not allow Palestinians to return to the north. Israel also said it had completed its operation at al-Shifa Hospital, claiming it had destroyed tunnels. It was also reported that Israeli forces destroyed oxygen pipes and generators at the hospital. Rockets were fired at Israel prior to the ceasefire; no injuries were reported. In Lebanon, Israel shot down a surface-to-air missile fired at an Israeli drone. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, NYT, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/24; AJ, AJ 11/25; HA 11/27)

The Gaza Media Office did not update the casualty numbers, leaving the comprehensive death toll as of 11/23 at around 14,800 Palestinians, including 6,000 children and 4,000 women, and around 35,000 injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 222 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 54 children. More than 2,885 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. 75 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.7 million Palestinians, more than 70% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israel blockade. As of 11/18, at least 45,000 housing units had been destroyed and 233,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. 2 ambulances, 4 trucks carrying diesel, 4 trucks carrying cooking oil, and 137 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. The UN delivered flour to 2 UNRWA facilities in the north of Gaza, the first delivery of aid the north in more than 1 month. 40 people were evacuated from al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City to a hospital in Khan Yunis. Al-Ahli started to admit new patients despite a lack of electricity and essential hospital supplies. Fewer than 400 people fled the northern part of Gaza to the south. 44 wounded Palestinians and their companions were evacuated to Egypt. Thousands of Palestinians stuck in Egypt began returning to Gaza. (AJ, HA, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 11/24)

39 Palestinians were released from the Ofer Prison as part of the prisoner exchange, including 24 women and 15 children. 33 were released to the Beitunia checkpoint, while 6 were released to East Jerusalem. 13 Israelis, 10 Thai nationals, and 1 Filipino national held captive by Hamas were released to Israel via Egypt. Germany said 4 of the Israelis were also German nationals. The Thai and Filipino captives were released in a separate deal made between Hamas and Thailand, brokered by Iran. The director of the Schneider Children’s Medical center in Israel said the captives the hospital had received were in good physical condition. Hamas published videos of its militants handing over captives to the Red Cross. Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh said Hamas was committed to the ceasefire as long as Israel abides by the terms. Head of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club Qadura Fares said Israel had violated the prisoner exchange terms by releasing 7 people who were arrested within the past year instead of prisoners who had been in prison for longer. The Prisoner’s Club also said Israel had imposed a ban on celebrating the release of Palestinian prisoners, imposing fines of $18,700 for public celebrations. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 11/24; AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU 11/25; HA 11/27)

UK foreign secretary David Cameron visited Ramallah, saying the UK has committed an additional $37.8 million in aid to Gaza. Cameron also said that Israel will not have long-term safety and security unless Palestinians have the same, calling settler violence “completely unacceptable” and urging Israel to prosecute the perpetrators. Cameron met with PA president Mahmoud Abbas, who called on the UK to help ensure that Israel will not succeed in separating the West Bank and Gaza or reoccupy it. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh also met with Cameron and met separately with the foreign ministers of Portugal and Slovenia. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/24; AJ 11/25)

At a press conference held at the Rafah crossing, Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez said that a permanent ceasefire was required and said Spain may unilaterally recognize Palestine even if the EU does not. At the press conference, Belgian prime minister Alexander de Croo said “[w]ay too many people have died. The destruction of Gaza is unacceptable.” Israel subsequently summoned the Spanish and Belgian representatives in Israel for a reprimand, prompting Spain to do the same to the Israeli ambassador to Spain. Later in a meeting with de Croo and Sanchez in Cairo, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called for the establishment of a demilitarized Palestinian state with UN, Arab, or NATO forces guaranteeing the peace. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU 11/24; AJ,  HA 11/25; HA 11/26)

U.S. president Joe Biden welcomed the release of the 24 captives from Gaza, saying that there was a chance that the temporary ceasefire could facilitate a longer ceasefire. (NYT 11/24)

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said at a press conference with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau that there should be no forced displacement from occupied Palestine and that a reformed PA should govern Gaza and the West Bank. Von der Leyen also said settler violence had to stop. (HA 11/24)

An Israeli-owned cargo ship was attacked by a drone in the northern part of the Indian Ocean before the ceasefire agreement was implemented. The attack, which caused minor damage, was attributed to Iran by several media outlets. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, REU 11/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort attacked Palestinians in Hebron, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian celebrations of the ceasefire (see below) in Hebron and Bethlehem, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets and live ammunition; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Huwwara, injuring 2 with live ammunition; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bani Na‘im, Abu Njeim, and Jaba‘. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians at the Haram al-Sharif compound after the Friday noon prayer, confiscating Palestinian flags, arresting 17, and injuring 23 worshipers with rubber-coated bullets. During the raid, 1 Agence France-Presse journalist was also beaten by Israeli forces. Israeli forces also closed down Shaykh Jarrah to all Palestinians, including those living in the area. In Gaza, 17 Palestinians, including 2 children, were found dead in rubble from Israeli air strikes, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 236 to 253, including 67 children and 3 pregnant women. 1 toddler was found dead in rubble from an air strike on Gaza City 5/11; 1 child was found in rubble from an Israeli air strike on a house in al-Shati refugee camp on 5/15; and 15 Palestinians were also found dead in rubble from Israeli air strikes in a tunnel hit by Israeli missiles. In Israel, before the ceasefire took effect (see below), 1 Israeli was injured by rocket shrapnel and 1 house in Kibbutz Be’eri was damaged by a rocket from Gaza. (HA 5/20; AJ, AJ, AX, HA, MEE, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/21; HA 5/25; PCHR 5/27)

A ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, brokered by Egypt, took effect at 2 a.m. 263 Palestinians were killed in Gaza, including 68 children, and 12 people were killed in Israel, including 1 soldier, 2 Thai citizens, 1 Indian citizen, and 2 Palestinian citizens of Israel. Around 2,000 Palestinians and 345 Israelis were wounded over the 11 days. Israel partially reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing after the ceasefire, allowing some humanitarian aid and goods into Gaza. U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken said he would meet with Israeli and Palestinian officials during a trip in the coming days. The Gaza housing ministry said that 16,800 housing units had been damaged by Israeli missiles, including 1,800 that had become unfit for living. Some 90,000 Palestinians in Gaza were reported to be internally displaced due to the Israeli attacks, including more than 66,000 seeking shelter at UNRWA facilities. It also reported that Palestinians in Gaza were getting between 3-4 hours of electricity a day, while they previously received 12 hours a day before the escalation started on 5/10. Israel said that some 4,350 rockets had been fired from Gaza toward Israel and that the Iron Dome had intercepted approximately 90% of them. Both Israel and Hamas declared victory. Egyptian officials also arrived in Gaza to discuss with Hamas officials about maintaining the ceasefire. Islamic Jihad in Palestine said that 19 of its fighters were among the 263 Palestinians killed by Israel in Gaza during the latest escalation. Hamas later said that 80 members of its militia had been killed. (AJ, HA, HA, REU 5/20; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, ALM, ALM, ALM, ALM, AP, AP, AP, AX, AX, AX, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, JP, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/21; AX, HA, WAFA 5/22; HA, WAFA 5/23; NYT 5/25; AP 5/26; HA 5/27)

13 trucks carrying food, COVID-19 vaccines, and other aid crossed into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing. (AJ, WAFA 5/21)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas discussed the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and the need for humanitarian aid with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken. In a phone call between President Abbas and Saudi king Salman, the latter condemned Israeli aggression in Jerusalem and Gaza. (AJ, WAFA 5/21)

The owner of 1 of the high-rise buildings in Gaza bombed by Israel said he is filing a formal complaint to the ICC about the attack on his building, calling it a war crime. His building, al-Jala Tower, housed AP and Al Jazeera offices in Gaza as well as many residential units. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh also pledged to refer the Israeli attacks on Gaza to the ICC. (AJ, WAFA 5/21)

Digital rights group 7amleh said Israel and the companies TikTok and Facebook, including its subsidiary Instagram, are cooperating in order to silence Palestinian voices and content on the social media platforms. Posts and hashtags have been deleted from the platforms and users, banned. 7amleh said it was especially concerned related to Gaza and Shaykh Jarrah, which had been censored. Sada Social also sent a formal complaint to Facebook, condemning the censorship. (AJ, WAFA 5/21)

Lebanese president Michel Aoun wrote a letter to the parliament, saying that prime minister-designate Saad Hariri is incapable of forming a cabinet. (HA, REU 5/21; MEMO 5/22)

The U.S. state department circumvented a potential obstacle from Congress by granting Boeing an export license for $735 million’s worth of weapons to Israel. U.S. senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) said on 5/20 that he wanted the Senate to review the sale. (JC 5/25; ALM 5/27)

A bomb killed 7 people at a Palestinian solidarity rally in Chaman City, Pakistan. The bomb was said to have targeted a political leader who had organized the event. Pakistan’s foreign minister had declared the day a “day of solidarity” with Palestinians. (AJ 5/20; HA, MEMO 5/21)

China said it would send aid to Gaza to help treat the injured and house the homeless. (AJ 5/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up sheds in Dayr Istya. Israeli settlers with military escort vandalized property in Burqin and Israeli forces attacked Palestinians when they tried to fend off the settlers, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian child and wounded dozens of others during a protest at a checkpoint in Bil‘in; Israel said that 2 Israeli soldiers were lightly injured. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian in Hebron, saying he was going to attack the soldiers. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Ramallah, killing 2 and injuring 64. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Qalqilya, injuring 12 with live ammunition and 20 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Ijza, injuring 3 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Nablus, injuring 11 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Atuf, injuring 11 with live ammunition. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Huwwara, injuring 1 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Nabi Salih, injuring 13 Palestinians with live ammunition. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Qiffin, injuring 1 Palestinian with live ammunition; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Anabta, injuring 2 with live ammunition and 3 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Fajjar, injuring 1 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Aida refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Dayr Sharaf, injuring 2 with live ammunition and 2 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Naqura, injuring 1 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries and a tear gas canister ignited a fire in a field. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Luban al-Sharqiyya, injuring 5 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Burqa, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Furik, injuring 3 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 1 with rubber-coated bullets; others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Qarawat Bani Hassan, injuring 1 with live ammunition. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at a checkpoint near Jenin, injuring 7 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Tuqu‘, leading to tear-gas related injuries. A total of 202 were reported injured during the protests in the West Bank. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Shaykh Jarrah and Bab al-Amud, injuring 41. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor in her back, fracturing her spine with a rubber-coated bullet, and injured her father with a rubber-coated bullet and stun grenade while they were inside their home in Shaykh Jarrah; a video shows the incident. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Silwan. In Gaza, 3 Palestinians were killed, including 1 child, and many were injured, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 216 to 219, including 63 children and 2 pregnant women. The casualties included: 1 in an air strike a house south of Gaza City; 1 of a heart attack during heavy bombardment of Rafah; and 1 Palestinian infant succumbed to her wounds sustained on 5/11 during an air strike on Gaza City that killed her father, mother, and sister. In Israel, Israeli police shot and seriously injured 1 Palestinian-Israeli minor who was sitting in a car with friends in Umm al-Fahm. Rockets fired from Gaza killed 2 Thai citizens working at a factory in Moshav Ohad, raising the Israeli death toll to 12. Israel also said it had destroyed 7.5 miles of Gaza tunnels overnight. 1 drone of unknown origin was shot down by Israeli forces near the northern part of the Israeli-Jordanian border. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/18; AX, CNN, HA, HA, HA, PCHR, PCHR, WAFA 5/19; PCHR 5/20; MEE 5/21; HA, NYT 5/26; HA 5/27)

Palestinians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza, and Israel observed a general strike in protest over evictions of Palestinians in East Jerusalem and the Israeli attacks on Gaza. (WAFA 5/18; HA 5/19)

A spokesperson for the health ministry in Gaza said that no more COVID-19 tests were being processed in Gaza due to an Israeli air strike destroying the sole COVID-19 test processing center. (AJ 5/18)

Israel opened the Kerem Shalom crossing and then closed it shortly after, citing Hamas’s shelling of the area. (AJ, AJ 5/18)

The Israeli high court of justice ruled that 1 Israeli settler must stop cultivating 170 dunams (42 acres) of land near Turmus ‘Ayya, saying the cultivation is illegal. The court, however, refused to rule on the ownership of the land, stating that the 8 Palestinian petitioners must obtain permission to farm the land from a different body as the court does not consider itself the proper venue for the question. (HA 5/23)

Israel’s Channel 12 said that an Egyptian truce proposal calling for an end to violence from 6 a.m. on 5/20 had been agreed to by Hamas. (AJ 5/19)

The Israeli police commissioner Kobi Shabtai was criticized by the public security minister Amir Ohana for saying that there “were terrorists from both sides [Jewish-Israeli and Palestinian-Israeli] and we will bring every one of them to justice.” (HA 5/18)

After saying that his committee would review a sale of arms to Israel on 5/17, chairman of the house of foreign affairs committee Gregory Meeks was said to have reversed course and that he is looking at discussing the arm sales with the Biden administration. The Biden administration had informed Congress on 5/4 that it would be selling Israel $735 million’s worth of precision-guided missiles. It was reported that Chairman Meeks had come under significant pressure after saying he would review the sale. Several other Democrats in the House have called for conditioning or ending military aid to Israel. (AJ, REU 5/17; ALM, HA, HA, MEE 5/18)

U.S. president Joe Biden joked, when asked by a journalist if he would answer a question about Israel, that she could ask a question if she let him run her over with the Ford F-150 he was sitting in. President Biden was visiting a Ford plant in Dearborn, Michigan. (FOX 5/18)

France called for the UN security council to agree on a resolution calling for a ceasefire. Prime minister Emmanuel Macron made the call after a meeting with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordanian king Abdullah II. (AJ, REU 5/18; AP, HA 5/19)

The EU foreign ministers met to discuss how to help facilitate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Hungary was said to have prevented consensus on a meaningful engagement. Separately, Germany said it would donate $48.9 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA 5/18; ALM 5/19)

The Egyptian presidency said it would give $500 million to help rebuild Gaza. (AJ 5/18)

In the West Bank, 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Tulkarm, Hebron, and Jericho. During a raid in Hebron, surveillance camera recordings were confiscated and solar panels were damaged. East of Ramallah, Israeli forces uprooted 120 olive trees. In ‘Urif, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian high school by throwing stones at the building, causing moderate damage. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested; 2 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and 1 near the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli shelling continued for the 3d day in a row, killing 19 Palestinians and wounding 29. Several buildings in Gaza were completely destroyed and others were damaged. 3 Israelis were killed by rockets from Gaza and 4 people were wounded in Israel, including a Thai national. This makes the comprehensive death toll from the Israeli attack on Gaza on 4/5-5/5 30 Palestinians total. By the end of 5/5 (U.S. eastern time), it was reported that a cease-fire agreement had been reached. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/5; MNA, WAFA, WAFA 5/6; PCHR 5/9)

Israel indicated that it had resumed its policy of executions, what Israeli authorities refer to as target killings. Israel killed a Palestinian man in Gaza alleged to facilitating transfers of funds from Iran to Hamas during its attack on Gaza. Chief of the Israeli forces southern command Hertzi Halevy said that the Israeli executions of Palestinians alleged to be involved in terror activity “is expected to continue.” (HA 5/5)

U.S. president Donald Trump tweeted, “Once again, Israel faces a barrage of deadly rocket attacks by terrorist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad. We support Israel 100% in its defense of its citizens . . . To the Gazan people—these terrorist acts against Israel will bring you nothing but more misery. END the violence and work towards peace—it can happen!” Member of the PLO executive committee Hanan Ashrawi called Israel’s attack on Gaza “criminal and morally reprehensible.” (Twitter, WAFA 5/5)

Unidentified Palestinians in Gaza open fire on an Israeli construction crew working along Gaza’s border fence, causing minor damage to a vehicle. Israeli forces then shell a Hamas post near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing an unclear amount of damage. Armed groups in Gaza then launch 8 rockets into southern Israel, injuring 3 Israelis and causing minor damage in Sderot. In a significant escalation, the IAF conducts a massive wave of retaliatory air strikes, targeting approximately 140 sites across Gaza; 3 Palestinians are killed, including a pregnant mother and her 18-month-old child, and 12 are injured (2 critically). The strikes cause significant damage. After the first wave of air strikes, Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza launch approximately 150 rockets and other projectiles into Israel; 9 Israelis and 1 Thai worker are injured. (TOI 8/8; AHR, EI, HA, MNA, PCHR, TOI, WAFA 8/9; PCHR 8/16)

Before the escalation of violence in the afternoon, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working along Gaza’s border fence near Gaza City, causing no injuries or damage. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 8 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Jericho, Tulkarm, Hebron, and Nablus; and patrol near Jenin and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians and confiscate 3 vehicles during raids in Qalandia refugee camp and Qatanna. (MNA 8/8; MNA 8/9)

The residents of Khan al-Ahmar, the Bedouin village near Jerusalem that the Israeli government has slated for evacuation and destruction, decide not to accept any relocation proposals, including the one the Israeli government filed with the High Court of Justice on 8/7. (MNA 8/8)

PA FM al-Maliki announces that Colombia has decided to recognize the State of Palestine. Colombia was previously the only South American country not to recognize the State of Palestine. (WAFA 8/8; HA, TOI, YA 8/9)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure 2 Palestinian men after they throw a pipe bomb at an IDF site nr. Bethlehem, and the IDF consequently conducts raids in the area and temporarily closes a nearby road. Separately, IDF troops patrol in a village nr. Qalqilya, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; 1 Palestinian is arrested and there are no serious injuries. IDF troops on a late-night arrest raid in Ramallah disperse stone-throwing Palestinian youths. The IDF conducts further raids and house searches in Tulkarm, 3 villages nr. Hebron, and 1 village each nr. Nablus and Bethlehem, arresting 6 Palestinians; patrols in al-Fawar r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron, 2 villages nr. Jenin, and 1 village each nr. Jericho and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians exiting Haram al-Sharif. (MNA, WAFA 6/7; MNA 6/8; PCHR 6/11)

IDF maj.-gen. Sami Turgeman, cmdr. of the IDF’s s. operations, says that the recent rockets fired from Gaza “are isolated incidents” and that the IDF will not launch “an operation in the Strip because of them.” He reaffirms that Israel holds Hamas responsible for all rockets from Gaza, but notes that it is making efforts to stop the small Salafist groups from launching the attacks. (HA, JP, TOI 6/7)

According to a senior Israeli official, China recently informed Israel that it will not allow any of its citizens to work on Israel’s West Bank settlements. The restriction comes in the context of bilateral trade negotiations, which Israeli finance min. Moshe Kahlon initiated to facilitate his broader push to expedite construction of housing across Israel. Kahlon is hoping to have thousands of foreign workers come, replacing the current system of private construction firms hiring foreign workers as needed, which has resulted in a series of labor law violations and international criticism. Since 2011, Israel has signed similar agreements with Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Romania, bringing more than 12,000 foreign workers to Israel. (HA, TOI 6/7; AFP 6/8)

The IDF continues its assault of the Gaza Strip, killing 64 Palestinians, primarily in the s. Khan Yunis area. The IDF says that it is hitting “concealed rocket launchers, terror tunnels, militant compounds, and terror activity posts located within the premises of al-Wafa hospital.” Severe shortages in electricity, water, and medical supplies continue to affect Palestinians in Gaza, with the UN estimating that the total number of displaced has risen to 118,300. Palestinians kill 3 Israeli soldiers inside the Gaza Strip, and severely wound another 2, in an attack claimed by al-Quds Brigades. Armed Palestinian groups fire rockets into s. Israel at a diminished rate relative to previous days, causing no damage and killing 1 Thai worker nr. the border fence. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill 1 Palestinian man during clashes that break out after a protest in Husan village nr. Bethlehem. Clashes also break out in Silwad, and IDF troops injure 2 Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Nablus. (AFP, AP, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/23)

The FAA extends the previous day’s ban on U.S. airline flights to Ben-Gurion Airport for an additional 24 hours. (AFP, AP, JP 7/23)

In a televised speech from Doha, Hamas leader Mish‘al responds to the international calls for a cease-fire, saying that Hamas “cannot accept any proposal that does not include the lifting of the siege.” Mish‘al also calls for a “humanitarian truce” of a few hours “to evacuate the wounded and assist in the relief.” (AFP, AP, HA, MNA 7/23)

In response to an Israeli request on 7/20, the U.S. Defense Dept. agrees to resupply the IDF with arms from the War Reserves Stockpile based in Israel. Details of the sale are not reported until 7/30. (AFP, AP 7/23; Guardian 7/30)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry holds talks with UN Secy.-Gen. Ban in Jerusalem, their 2d meeting of the week. Kerry says afterward that “we have certainly made some steps forward, but there is still work to be done.” Kerry also meets with Pres. Abbas in Ramallah and then with Israeli PM Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, before returning to Cairo with no sign of an imminent breakthrough that might enable a cease-fire. (HA, JP, MNA, YA 7/23)

The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva passes a res., 29–1–17, condemning Israel’s occupation and the current assault on Gaza, as well as commissioning an investigation into potential war crimes committed during the current Gaza conflict, with the U.S. casting the sole “no” vote. Israeli PM Netanyahu calls the vote a “travesty,” while Israel’s Justice Minister Tzipi Livni responds on Facebook with the comment: “Get lost.” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay says that there is a “strong possibility” Israel is committing war crimes in the Gaza Strip. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, YA 7/23)

Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore; they detain and confiscate 1 fishing boat and arrest 1 fisherman. Later in the day, Israeli naval vessels fire on another group of fishing boats, forcing them to flee, damaging 1 boat, and confiscating 5 trawling nets. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts synchronized patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm in the morning; patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon (firing tear gas and stun grenades at stone-throwing youths who confront them, causing no serious injuries); conducts late-night patrols in Nur al-Shams r.c. nr. Tulkarm; and conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Nablus. Israel’s Jerusalem planning comm. approves plans for the right-wing settler group Elad to build a new archeological tourism center in Silwan, East Jerusalem in the Western Wall yard opposite al-Aqsa Mosque. The complex will include offices, museum and conference space, an underground car park, and 2 underground “archeological tunnels” that will run north under the Mughrabi gate and south under the area housing the Umayyad Caliphate palaces (which Israel calls the Temple of Solomon). (JP 2/14; WT 2/15; PCHR 2/16; OCHA 2/17)

Three Iranians are arrested as they flee a mysterious explosion in their Bangkok apartment. One of the men throws grenades at a taxi that refuses to stop for him and at approaching police, seriously injuring himself only. The 2d man is arrested at Bangkok airport attempting to leave the country. The 3d makes it out of Thailand but is detained when he lands in Malaysia. Israel and the U.S. suspect the bombings are linked to the 2/13 Indian and Georgian attacks and earlier incidents in Thailand (see 1/13) and Azerbaijan (see 1/24), but they have no evidence the men were plotting against Israeli or Jewish targets. Thai police and outside experts doubt, but do not rule out, an Israeli connection, saying the operation was very amateurish and the men could have been arms runners or involved in other illegal activity in Bangkok. (NYT, WP 2/15; WP, WT 2/16)

Thailand officially recognizes Palestine as an independent state, becoming the 131st country to do so. (NYT 1/21)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 1 Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF detains Hamas-affiliated PC speaker ‘Aziz Dweik at Jaba’ checkpoint nr. Jerusalem, placing him in administrative detention; makes a late-night raid on Hamas-affiliated Change and Reform PC mbr. Khalid Thwaib’s home in Za’atara village nr. Bethlehem, arresting him and confiscating his computers, phone, and files. The IDF also conducts synchronized morning patrols in 2 villages n. of Jericho; conducts other daytime patrols in 3 villages nr Ramallah, 1 nr. Jenin, 1 nr. Jericho; conducts evening patrols in 1 village nr. Jericho; conducts late-night patrols in al-Bireh. (JP 1/19; WT 1/25; PCHR 1/26; OCHA 1/27)

The U.S.’s new Joint Chiefs of Staff head Gen. Martin Dempsey begins a 3-day visit to Israel for talks on Iran, regional security, and military-tomilitary strategic coordination. He will meet with PM Netanyahu, Pres. Shimon Peres, DM Barak, and senior IDF commanders. (NYT, WT 1/20; NYT, WP 1/21)

Pro-Israel groups (including the Anti-Defamation League [ADL] and American Jewish Committee [AJC]) publicly accuse the Center for American Progress (CAP; a Washington-based think tank seen as close to the Obama admin.) of “anti-Semitism,” citing several Twitter posts by CAP staffers to their private Twitter accounts referring to “Israel-firsters” (i.e., Americans who put Israel’s national interests before America’s) and accusing AIPAC of pushing the U.S. toward war with Iran. The ADL and AJC allege that the private Tweets are part of a “very troubling” pattern of “anti-Semitism and borderline anti-Semitism” at CAP. Former AIPAC spokesman Josh Block says that the pro-Israel groups went public with their complaints only after CAP officials ignored a compilation of CAP staffer’s writings and public statements that he quietly presented to them in 12/2011 that he said amounted to “outrageous vilification of pro-Israel Americans.” CAP says it is “baffled and appalled” by the charges. Some on the left of the pro-Israel spectrum, such as J Street, say the issue is overblown and they suspect that it is being brought forward now “to shut down needed policy debates,” cautioning groups such as the ADL and AJC to “tread lightly” with accusations of anti-Semitism or “people won’t take you seriously.”(WP 1/20)

The IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning and in Jericho, 1 village nr. Jericho, and 1 nr. Jenin late at night. Palestinians (sometimes accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil’in, Kafr Qaddum, and Nabi Salih. IDF soldiers fire rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, causing no significant injuries; troops also temporarily occupy 1 Palestinian home in Kafr Qaddum as an observation post, confining the family to a single room. Some 250 Jewish settlers escorted by IDF soldiers march provocatively through Hebron’s Old City before and after conducting prayers at the Tomb of the Patriarch/al-Ibrahimi Mosque; the IDF declares surrounding areas a closed military zone for several hours, preventing Palestinian movement. (PCHR 1/19; OCHA 1/20)

Thai officials say that they have been working with Israel for weeks tracking “a group of people who appear to be from the Lebanese group Hizballah” who allegedly planned to attack tourist sites frequented by Israelis in mid-1/2012 in response to escalating U.S.-Israeli tensions with Iran and that Thai police have detained a Lebanese man in connection with the case. The U.S. and Israel issue warnings of a “real and credible” terrorist threat against Americans and Israelis in Bangkok. Hizballah officials deny the allegations as an Israeli fabrication. The suspect later (1/16) leads police to a warehouse containing large quantities of ammonia and fertilizer, commonly used to make bombs. (NYT, WP 1/14; WT 1/17)

In retaliation for the Israeli air strikes on 11/5, unidentified Palestinians fire 2 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, injuring a Thai laborer. On the 1st day of ‘Id alAdha, Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus uproot 25 olive trees on nearby Palestinian land, spray painting on the branches “Happy‘Id” and “revenge.” (HA, YA 11/6; PCHR 11/17; OCHA 11/18)

The Palestinian and Israeli media report rumors fr. anonymous Awarta residents that a Thai worker for the settler family murdered in Itamar on 3/11 had complained that the family owed him NIS 10,000 in wages and had threatened to kill the family; some sources (e.g., MNA 3/14) say the IDF rounded up all foreign workers in the settlement for questioning immediately after discovering the murders. Israeli authorities do not comment. Meanwhile, after Netanyahu criticizes the PA’s “weak” denunciation of the attack, Abbas makes another statement calling the killing “inhuman and immoral” and “a despicable act.” The IDF imposes a curfew on Awarta and orders all men age 15–40 to turn themselves in for questioning; of 300 who surrender, 32 are arrested. Jewish settlers mass at the entrance to Nabi Salih village and throw stones at Palestinian cars; the IDF observes but does not intervene. The IDF also conducts synchronized morning patrols in 5 villages n. and e. of Jenin; conducts evening and late-night patrols Jalazun r.c. and 2 villages nr. Ramallah, in al-Bireh, and 1 village nr. Tulkarm; conducts latenight arrest raids, house searches in another village nr. Ramallah. A day ahead of national unity demonstrations called for online, at least 3,000 young Palestinians rally in Gaza City calling for an end to divisions between Hamas and Fatah. (AFP, JP, MNA 3/14; NYT, WP 3/15; PCHR 3/17; OCHA 3/18)

After secretly securing approval of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on 3/13, Saudi Arabia and the UAE send some 2,000 troops, supported by a medical contingent fr. Kuwait, into Bahrain to shore up the govt. there. Saudi Arabia sought to intervene, fearing that Shi‘i protests in Bahrain could encourage Saudi Arabia’s own Shi‘i population in the oil-rich Eastern Province to rebel. The move marks the 1st time that the GCC council has mobilized a military force in response to domestic unrest and only the 2d time that it has mobilized a joint force (the 1st time was in defense of Kuwait when Iraq invaded in the 1990s). (AP, REU 3/14; NYT, WP, WT 3/15)

Islamic Jihad mbrs. fire 6 mortars fr. Gaza at the IDF base at the fmr. Nahal Oz crossing (closed in 1/2010), injuring 3 Thai workers (1 seriously) at a kibbutz nearby. Late in the evening, unidentified Palestinians fire 1 mortar, 2 Qassam rockets fr. Gaza into Israel in 3 barrages; 1 rocket lands nr. a truck, causing light damage and lightly injuring the driver. In the West Bank, IDF troops fatally shoot a Palestinian who runs toward a checkpoint nr. Nablus (the same one where another Palestinian was fatally shot on 1/2) and ignores orders to halt; the IDF says he was carrying a bag that contained a pipe bomb and other explosives, but Palestinian witnesses say he was not carrying anything. The IDF also patrols in villages nr. Jenin and Salfit in the morning; conducts late-night arrest raids, searches in and around Qalqilya; conducts late-night patrols in 3 villages nr. Salfit, summoning 2 Palestinians for questioning. Jewish settlers fr. Gilad settlement nr. Qalqilya vandalize nearby Palestinian agricultural land and damage a well. Israeli authorities conduct late-night arrest raids, house searches in Silwan neighborhood in East Jerusalem. (HA, JP, MNA 1/8; WP, UPI 1/9; NYT 1/11; PCHR 1/13; OCHA 1/14)

After 3 days of talks with his 7-mbr. security cabinet, Netanyahu phones Clinton (a day later than the State Dept. had expected) to offer Israel’s own package of “mutual confidence building” gestures to be made by Israel and the Palestinians. Neither side details the offer, but the U.S. says that the offer is sufficient enough to warrant sending special envoy Mitchell back to the region on 3/21 hopefully to launch proximity talks. At the same time, however, Israel’s Jerusalem municipality approves construction of 20 new settlement housing units in East Jerusalem’s Shaykh Jarrah neighborhood. (NYT, WP, WT 3/19; WP 3/20; OCHA, PCHR 3/25)

Ansar al-Sunna fires a rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, killing a Thai laborer working at a kibbutz near the Gaza border, marking the 1st fatal rocket strike since OCL. Another rocket fired by unidentified Palestinians earlier in the day caused no damage or injuries. Israel vows strong retaliation. Meanwhile, IDF troops on the s. Gaza border e. of Khan Yunis fire on Palestinians staging a nonviolent march to the border fence to protest Israel’s imposition of a 300-m no-go zone, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF carries out late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron (searching a number of homes of Palestinians involved in organizing protests against the separation wall, without making arrests). Jewish settlers fr. Eli nr. Nablus uproot 25 nearby Palestinian olive trees. (JP, NYT, WP, WT 3/19; HA, YA 3/20; OCHA, PCHR 3/25)

The IDF intensifies Operation Violet Iron, sending tanks into Khan Yunis, clashing with Palestinian resistance members, shelling residential areas, occupying several homes as military outposts, killing 3 Palestinian militants (including local Hamas leader Yahya Marzuq [also reported as Yahya Abu Bakra]) wounding 2 civilians. The IDF fires on residential areas of Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Bayt Lahiya, Nablus. In Jenin, 3 Palestinian children are injured when they accidentally detonate a piece of unexploded IDF ordnance. An Islamic Jihad gunman fires on an IDF jeep in Baqa‘ al-Sharqiyya, wounding 2 soldiers. Palestinians fire a mortar at Kefar Darom settlement, injuring a Thai worker. (HA, IMEMC, XIN 12/29; VOI, VOP 12/29 in WNC 12/31; PCHR, WP 12/30; PCHR 12/31; PR 1/5; PCHR 1/6)

The IDF demolishes areas of Bilin village nr. Ramallah for construction of the separation wall, firing on 10s of residents who attempt to block the demolition, wounding 5; raids Ramallah, assassinates AMB cmdr. Kamil Ghannam; fires on “suspicious figures” near the Rafah border, killing 1 PA security officer on patrol, wounding 2; sends troops, reinforced by helicopters, into Gaza City, shelling residential areas, bulldozing 40 d. of agricultural land; conducts arrest raids, house searches in ‘Azun nr. Qalqilya, Rafat nr. Ramallah, Salfit, Silat alHarithiyya nr. Jenin. The IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Hebron; begins bulldozing large areas of agricultural land in Dayr Ballut southwest of Nablus for construction of the separation wall. In retaliation for house demolitions in Khan Yunis on 12/13, Palestinians fire a mortar at nearby Neve Dekalim settlement, hitting a greenhouse, killing 1 Thai worker, injuring 2 Thais. Palestinians fire 12 more mortars during the day, causing no damage or injuries. (AFP, REU, XIN 12/14; HA, IDF Radio, VOI 12/14 in WNC 12/16; HA, NYT, PR 12/15; VOI 12/15 in WNC 12/17; PCHR 12/16)

In n. Gaza, the IDF fatally shoots 3 Palestinian bystanders during the day; Palestinian observers estimate that the IDF has demolished 60 Palestinian homes, bulldozed 100 d. of agricultural land in n. Gaza since Operation Days of Penitence began on 9/28. In s. Gaza, the IDF fatally shoots 3 Hamas mbrs. attempting to infiltrate Kefar Darom settlement; the gunfire sets off explosives the Hamas mbrs. are carrying, killing a Thai laborer at the settlement. The IDF also bulldozes 25 d. in Dayr al-Balah. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids in Saida nr. Tulkarm, fires on stone-throwing youths who confront troops, killing a 16- yr.-old Palestinian. (NYT, PCHR, WP 10/7; WP 10/8; PR 10/13; PCHR 10/14)

The IDF fires on a delegation of British, UN officials touring the destruction in Rafah, causing no injuries; Britain lodges a formal complaint with Israel. Nr. Salfit, the IDF also fires a new type of gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international peace activists staging a nonviolent protest against the separation wall, sending some 50 protesters to the hospital with severe convulsions, temporary blackouts, impaired vision, difficulty breathing; troops then raid a local hospital that treated the injured, beat medical workers. The IDF also fires on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids and house searches, demolishes 2 Palestinian homes, severely damages 11 in Wadi al-Silqa.Palestinians fire a mortar at Kefar Darom settlement, killing a Thai worker in a greenhouse; fire a Qassam rocket toward Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Unidentified assailants fire 25 shots at the empty, parked car of senior Fatah mbr. and Arafat loyalist Hani al-Hassan; Hassan blames Palestinian collaborators. (JTA 6/21; VOI 6/21 in WNC 6/23; MM 6/22; PR 6/23; PCHR 6/24; NYT 6/25)

The IDF imposes a curfew on Ramallah; blows up 2 Palestinian homes before dawn in Jalbun; conducts arrest raids targeting AMB, Hamas mbrs. in Nablus; safely detonates a roadside bomb found in East Jerusalem, in an area usually patrolled by Israeli police; safely detonates a 2d explosive device found nr., Baqa’ Sharqiyya; fires residential areas of Bayt Hanun, Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis, Tal Zu’rub; conducts arrest raids in al-Qarara; bulldozes 5 dunams of Palestinian land outside Khan Yunis. 2 Hamas gunmen open fire inside Dolah settlement in Gaza, wounding 2 Thai workers, 1 Jewish settler; 1 of the gunmen is shot dead. 2 IDF soldiers are lightly injured in an exchange of gunfire with a Palestinian nr. Neve Dekalim settlement. Israeli police arrest 2 Jews for stabbing, wounding a Palestinian in Jerusalem in an apparent hate crime. (JTA 11/29; HA, NYT, WP 11/30; LAW, PCHR 12/3)

Bush simultaneously imposes and waives a congressionally mandated sanction to “downgrade” the PLO office in Washington for at least 180 days, citing the PA for noncompliance with its commitment to work against violence. (NYT 12/3; MM 12/4; WJW 12/5; HA, WT 12/6; MEI 12/20)

In Gaza, the IDF fatally shoots 2 Hamas mbrs. who detonated a roadside bomb nr. a bus carrying Thai laborers to a Jewish settlement, causing no damage or injuries. Nr. Nablus, a Jewish settler, angry over Palestinian youths throwing stones at his car, stops and shoots 1 of the youths at point blank range, killing him. A 4th Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. Palestinians fire 3 mortars at Gush Katif, causing some damage but no injuries. In Azariyya, the IDF closes the PA Information Min.'s temporary offices (opened after the IDF shut the main offices on 11/21), the al-Quds Open University Student Union office. The IDF also shells residential areas of al-Bireh, Ramallah; conducts arrest raids in Azun, Khan Yunis, Ramallah; detains 10 Palestinians at a Gaza checkpoint. (AP 1/31; BBC, NYT, WT 2/1; LAW, PCHR 2/6)

In an interview with Ma'ariv, Sharon says that he regrets that Israel did not kill Arafat in Beirut in 1982. The State Dept. says that the U.S. does not have "any particular comment" on Sharon's statement. (MA 1/31 in WNC 2/1; BBC, MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/1)

In Gaza, 3 bedouin women are killed by IDF shelling. FM Peres says the IDF may have fired at the wrong target when responding to gunfire on Netzarim settlement, an adjacent IDF post. The IDF also bulldozes Palestinian land in Dayr al-Balah. Palestinians fire rocket grenades at IDF tanks in Rafah, causing no injuries; launch at least 7 mortars at Gush Katif settlement bloc, damaging 1 building, injuring 1 Thai worker. (CNN 6/9; HP, NYT, WP, WT 6/10; HA, MM, NYT, WP 6/11; DUS, HJ 6/11 in WNC 6/12; MEI 6/15)

Israeli, PA security officials present their written responses to the U.S. draft cease-fire plan to the U.S. emb. Meanwhile in Cairo, Tenet briefs Mubarak on his mtgs. with the sides to date. Burns continues to meet with Israeli, PA political officials. (WP, WT 6/10)

Arafat gives representatives to th PA fr. Egypt, Japan, Jordan, Morocco, Russia letters to their heads of state asking them to pressure Israel on Hebron. (VOP 9/9 in FBIS 9/11)

In Gaza, PA Local Government M Saeb Erakat meets with British police officials. Sides agree to form joint comm. to train PA security mbrs. in proper ways to operate during elections to assure elections are fair, democratic. (VOP 9/9 in FBIS 9/12)

In Halhul, 1,000 Palestinians march in protest over apparent IDF killing 9/8, demand dismantling of settlements. (CSM, MM 9/11)

Israel, PA close election talks in Cairo without making any progress. (AFP, RMC 2/8 in FBIS 2/8)

U.S. Commerce Secy. Brown, executives fr. 10 American corporations meet in Taba with trade officials fr. Egypt, Israel, Jordan, the PA to discuss setting up regional council for trade, investment, assess results of Casablanca mtg., set ground work for international economic forum in Jordan in spring. Parties say they will work establish free trade btwn. themselves, form 2 economic bodies to develop their economic ties. (WT 2/8; MENA 2/8 in FBIS 2/8)

EU delegation headed by French FM Alain Juppé arrives in Damascus, meets with Pres. al-Asad to discuss EU-Syrian relations, peace process, says EU supports full Israeli withdrawal fr. Golan. (SARR 2/8 in FBIS 2/8; MM 2/9; MEI 2/17)

Reports say that over past few months Israel has brought in 12,000 Thai workers to replace Palestinian laborers in Israel, bring import of new workers fr. South East Asia, Eastern Europe to 50,000 since 3/94. (MEI 2/3, NYT 2/8; MEI 2/17)

Poll released by Strategic Studies Center, University of Jordan, shows that 72.6% of Jordanians polled favor some kind of union with Palestine. (JT 2/8 in FBIS 2/10)

PA says it has arrested more than 100 DFLP mbrs. since 2/6 incident. (QY 2/8 in FBIS 2/8; WP 2/10)

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Former Stern Gang leader PM Shamir publicly denounces terrorism by Jewish settlers, and tells Knesset Israeli gov't. will not surrender its sovereignty over West Bank, but is ready to talk peace with any Arab leader. Reiterating that Israel considers Camp David only formula for settlement, PM Shamir rejects Chrmn. Arafat's call for peace conference under UN auspices.

Arab World: Lebanese amb. to Libya Farhat [dismissed by Libya when his gov't. signed agreement with Israel May 17, 1983] returns to his post. Egypt's FM Hassan Ali summons Israeli amb. Sassoon to protest Israel's "inhuman and illegal practices in occupied Arab territories".

Other Countries: In UN Security Council session, Zehdi Terzi accuses Israel of killing or wounding 60 refugees in its recent attack on Ain al-Hilweh camp, S. Lebanon. In effort to monitor Arab influence in US, American Jewish Congress pres. Mann announces nationwide push for legislation compelling colleges & universities to report sources of grants over $100,000 a year. Meeting with Israel's Science Minister, Thai Science Min. Lathopitat says he wants stronger industrial ties with Israel. After rash of complaints, British mail order house Freemans issues apology after accidentally shipping Israeli-made bras to Abu Dhabi.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: EL-OP unveils new ship-board air defense system Spirtas. Military court sentences 7 Nablus men charged with murder of Hebron settler; 4 get life, 3 get 20-25 years.

Arab World: 2 Katyushas fall in IDF-occupied territory near Ba'loul, east of Lake Karoun.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Energy Min. Moda'i urges Cabinet to authorize attempt to capture Arafat and top aides before leaving Tripoli. Israel denies US bombing raids part of joint plan with Israel. Anti- nuclear, ecumenical Bethlehem Peace Pilgrimage Group arrives in Haifa for last leg of 12,000 km trek from Bangor, WA, USA, to Bethlehem.

Arab World: Syrian FM calls for international and Arab action against aggressive US policy in Middle East. In Tripoli interview, Arafat says he wants PLO base in Cairo.

Other Countries: Bonn agrees to DM140 million loan to Israel for investment in high-tech development.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Molotov cocktail attack on Israeli military patrol in Nablus; curfews imposed on nearby Balata and Askar camps.

Arab World: US jets bomb Syrian positions in Kfar Salwan, Falougha, Hammana, Dahr al-Baidar, Jabal Knayset and Sofar in Lebanon; 2 jets downed. 8 Marines killed by militia, presumed by US to be Syrian- backed; 6th Fleet opens fire on militia positions.

Other Countries: Israeli embassy in Bankok bombed; attackers unidentified; Thai customs allerted to "suspicious Arabs" trying to leave the country.