In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raid al-Minya, assaulting Palestinians and trying to steal sheep. Israeli settlers also set fire to 2 vehicles during a raid in al-Mazra’a al-Gharbiya. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Burin. Israeli forces kill 2 Palestinians in an airstrike, shoot and kill a third man, and injure another in Kafr Dan. Israeli forces also continue the raid in Jenin and Jenin refugee camp for the second day in a row, shooting and injuring 7 Palestinians, uprooting streets, destroying power lines, and demolishing part of the Jenin municipal stadium. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian man, injure 3 others with sound bombs, and demolish a home and a commercial structure during a raid in Deir Balut. Israeli forces also shoot and injure a Palestinian man during a raid in Qalqilya. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian man during a raid in Jalud. Israeli forces also shoot and injure a Palestinian man during a raid in Kafr al-Labad. Separately, Israeli forces demolish a home and agricultural structures in Ramadin. Israeli forces also arrest 15 Palestinians during raids in and around Ramallah, al-Bireh, Hebron, Nablus, Tulkarm, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a house in Shu’fat refugee camp. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Jabalia refugee camp, Khan Yunis, Rafah, Nuseirat refugee camp, Gaza City, Beit Lahiya, and al-Mawasi, killing at least 88 people, including 66 near the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya. 17 malnourished children are admitted to the Kamal Adwan Hospital. 6 Palestinians abducted from Gaza are released through the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing. An Israeli soldier is killed in northern Gaza. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Tyre, Zefta, Maarakeh, and other towns and villages. Israeli forces also bomb a Lebanese military vehicle near Burj al-Muluk, killing a Lebanese soldier. Hezbollah forces launch 3 drones at northern Israel and rockets at Kiryat Shmona, Acre, and Nahariya, causing damage. 2 Israeli soldiers and an Israeli archeologist accompanying the Israeli forces are killed in Southern Lebanon. In Syria, Israeli forces bomb Palmyra, killing 79 people and injuring more than 50 others. (AJ, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/20; AJ, AJ, UNOCHA 11/21; UNOCHA 11/26; UNOCHA 11/28)
More than 43,985 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 17,500 children and 11,487 women, and around 104,092 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 10,000 people are missing in rubble. 794 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 168 children. More than 6,500 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 376 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 2,440 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. 87% of all housing units in Gaza have been destroyed or severely damaged since 10/7/2023. Kamal Adwan Hospital director Hussam Abu Safiya says 85 patients are at risk of dying due to a lack of medicine at the hospital and that an elderly man has died of starvation. 8 Jordanian military helicopters land in Gaza, delivering 7 tonnes of aid. (AJ, HA, WAFA 11/20)
At the UN Security Council, the U.S. vetoes a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza while the 14 other members of the council vote in favor. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller says the resolution does not link the ceasefire to the immediate release of Israeli captives. French ambassador to the UN Nicolas de Riviere criticizes the U.S. veto, saying the resolution “very firmly” requires the release of the captives. PA ambassador to the UN Majed Bamya condemns the veto, saying the “world should not grow accustomed to the death of Palestinians, to seeing Palestinian children starving.” Hamas and Islamic Jihad also condemn the veto. Acting Hamas Leader in Gaza Khalil al-Hayya says there will not be a prisoner exchange until Israel agrees to a permanent ceasefire. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA 11/20; AJ 11/21; WAFA 11/22)
U.S. deputy assistant to the president Amos Hochstein meets with Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut for the second day in a row, discussing a ceasefire in Lebanon. After the meeting, Hochstein arrives in Israel for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer. Hezbollah secretary-general Naim Qassem says he has reviewed the ceasefire proposal and that it is now up to Israel to halt “hostilities.” Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar says a ceasefire resolution must give Israel “freedom to act” against Hezbollah. (AJ, HA, NYT 11/20)
Recently dismissed Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant writes on X that Israeli plans to outsource distribution of food in Gaza to private companies under Israeli military supervision “is a euphemism for the start of military rule in the Strip.” (HA 11/20; HA, HA 11/21)
Axios reports that Israel sent the Biden administration a letter on 11/13 promising that Israel does not intend to forcefully displace or starve Palestinians in northern Gaza. (AX 11/20)
The U.S. Senate votes down 3 bills that would block some arms transfers to Israel that are part of $20 billion in military aid Congress passed earlier this year. A bill to block the transfer of tank rounds is voted down 79-18, a bill to block mortar rounds is voted down 78-19, and a bill to block smart bomb kits is voted down 80-17. Before the vote, Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) addresses the Senate, saying “you cannot condemn human rights around the world and then turn a blind eye to what the U.S. government is now funding in Israel. People will laugh at your face.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken lobbies Democrats to vote against the bills. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT 11/20; AJ, AJ, HA, REU 11/21)