Palestinians resumed protests at and launching of incendiary kites across Gaza-Israel border as Egyptian-brokered talks aimed at ceasefire between Israel and Hamas stalled. Following meeting with Palestinian Authority (PA) President Abbas, Egypt 6 Sept returned to previous position that PA must reconcile with Hamas and retake control of Gaza before Egypt brokers ceasefire. Israeli PM Netanyahu 2 Sept said there would be no deal before Hamas has returned remains of two Israeli soldiers Israel says were killed in 2014 war. Hamas 9 Sept announced end of talks with Israel, blaming PA, which had voiced opposition to talks, and said it would escalate protests at border. Israeli army reportedly shot dead three Palestinian protesters at border, one each on 9, 21 and 23 Sept, and seven more 28 Sept. U.S. 8 Sept cut further its financial support to Palestinians, redirecting $25mn it had pledged to hospitals in East Jerusalem. U.S. 10 Sept ordered closure of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) mission in Washington D.C. and 16 Sept ordered PLO Ambassador Husam Zomlot to leave. Tensions increased at Holy Esplanade in Jerusalem with Israeli police and officials of Waqf, Jordanian body that administers area, coming to blows over access issues. U.S. President Trump 26 Sept took favourable stance toward two-state solution saying, “I like a two-state solution. That’s what I think works best”. He later clarified that he would also back one-state solution if Israelis and Palestinians preferred it. Syrian anti-aircraft system 18 Sept shot down Russian military aeroplane while attempting to hit four Israeli jets that had attacked missile factory near Latakia in north west Syria on coast, killing fifteen Russian officers; Russian President Putin blamed “tragic chain of accidents” while Israel expressed “sorrow” but vowed to continue strikes against Iranian forces in Syria (see Syria). Israel 4 Sept said it had carried out over 200 airstrikes against alleged Iran-linked targets in Syria since early 2017.

Violence continued along Israel-Gaza border despite talks between Israel and Hamas and temporary relaxation of Israel’s blockade on Gaza. Gazan militants 8-9 Aug fired 150 rockets into Israel, to which Israel responded with airstrikes, killing at least three Palestinians. Egypt and UN Special Coordinator for Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov continued efforts to broker truce between Israel and Hamas; Mladenov 8 Aug urged both sides to step back from brink. After Gazans reduced rate of incendiary kite launches, Israel 15 Aug reopened Kerem Shalom crossing in south following July closure and restored Palestinian fishing area to nine nautical miles from shore. Gazans continued weekly protests at border; Israeli army 17 Aug killed two and wounded hundreds during clashes along border. Israel 19-28 Aug closed Erez crossing in north Gaza. At 15 Aug Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Central Council meeting boycotted by various PLO factions and Hamas and Islamic Jihad, Palestinian Authority (PA) President Abbas condemned possible Egyptian-sponsored truce between Israel and Hamas before intra-Palestinian reconciliation, threatening to make further cuts to Gaza. Abbas 16 Aug reportedly refused to meet Egyptian interlocutors, Fatah representatives held talks with Egyptians in Cairo 25-26 Aug. U.S. State Department 24 Aug said it would redirect over $200mn that would have paid for aid programs in Gaza and West Bank; Palestinian delegate to U.S. said move confirmed U.S. was “abandoning the two-state solution”. U.S. 31 Aug said it would no longer contribute funding for UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA); European and Arab countries criticised decision and promised to increase their contributions. Minority Druze community 4 Aug led tens of thousands in protests in Tel Aviv against law Israeli parliament passed in July that defines state of Israel as nation state of Jewish people. Tens of thousands of Palestinian citizens of Israel protested against law in Tel Aviv 11 Aug. Netanyahu 20 Aug during meeting with U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton called for “greater pressure” on Iran.

Fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza rose to highest level since 2014 Gaza war and risks escalating into new war. Palestinian protesters in Gaza continued to launch incendiary kites across Gaza-Israel border, setting fire to crops in Israel. In response, Israel upped bombing of Hamas targets, and Hamas and Islamic Jihad increased rocket attacks on Israel. Israel 14-15 July struck dozens of Hamas targets, killing two militants, and Hamas and Islamic Jihad launched around 200 rockets at Israel. Israeli air raid 19 July reportedly killed Hamas militant. Gazan sniper 20 July killed Israeli soldier at border, first death of Israeli soldier on Gazan front since 2014. Same day Israel bombed 60 Hamas targets, killing four militants. Hamas sniper wounded Israeli soldier 25 July, in response Israel attacked multiple Hamas positions, killing three militants. Gazan health ministry said Israeli airstrikes 29 July killed two in north Gaza. Israel tightened blockade on Gaza 9 July, stating it was closing Gaza’s border to all exports, restricting imports to “humanitarian equipment (including food and medicine)” and reducing Palestinian fishing area in Mediterranean from nine to six nautical miles from shore. Egypt closed Rafah border crossing 16-17 July. Israel 17-23 July halted supply of fuel and cooking gas into Gaza. Hamas 19 July accepted Egyptian plan for reconciliation with Fatah, other main Palestinian faction, which controls West Bank; Fatah yet to respond to proposal. Israeli parliament 19 July passed law that defines state of Israel as nation state of Jewish people, discriminating against Arab minority. Israeli Arabs, EU, Arab League and various nations condemned law. Netanyahu 3 July ended two-year ban on visits by parliamentarians to Jerusalem’s Holy Esplanade. As pro-Syrian govt forces in Syria advanced toward border with Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israel retaliated to spillover of fighting between Syrian army and rebels: 23 July fired missiles at Syrian rockets – Israel’s first use of mid-range missile shield – and 24 July shot down Syrian warplane which it said entered its airspace. PM Netanyahu welcomed U.S. President Trump and Russian President Putin’s commitment to Israel’s security at 16 July Helsinki summit. Netanyahu 23 July rejected Russian offer to keep Iranian-backed forces in Syria at least 100km from Golan Heights, stating Iranian forces should leave Syria altogether.

Violence continued in Gaza-Israel border area. Israeli forces 1 June shot and killed Gazan paramedic. Gazan militants early June launched incendiary kites and balloons over border causing fires in Israel. In response, Israeli military 17 June bombed nine Hamas targets in Gaza. Next day, Gazan militants launched three rockets toward Israel. Israeli air force 20 June bombed Hamas targets in Gaza, provoking more rocket attacks on Israel, to which Israel responded with further bombing of Hamas targets. In total, 45 rockets were fired from Gaza and Israeli forces bombed over twenty Hamas targets. Israel 26 June bombed numerous Hamas targets in Gaza, including observation posts and vehicles allegedly belonging to launchers of incendiary kites; in response, over a dozen projectiles were fired from Gaza toward Israel. Israeli forces 29 June shot and killed two Palestinians during protests at Gaza border. UN General Assembly 13 June passed resolution condemning Israel for “excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate” use of force to suppress Gaza protests that began end March. In West Bank, Palestinians 10 June marched in Ramallah protesting against Palestinian Authority (PA) sanctions on Gaza. PA 12 June banned all protests until end of Eid 15 June. PA security forces 13 June suppressed further protests, arresting over 50. Hamas security forces in Gaza 18 June quashed protests against continued rift between two main Palestinian parties, Hamas and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)’s largest faction, Fatah. Protesters 20 June gathered in Bethlehem and at PA offices in Amman and Beirut. To prepare ground for new peace plan, U.S. envoy Jason Greenblatt and President Trump’s adviser Jared Kushner met Israelis, Egyptians and Jordanians, but not Palestinians, in regional tour 20-23 June. PLO continued to insist it would not engage with any plan unless U.S. changed its position on status of Jerusalem. Kushner 24 June criticised PA President Abbas for prioritising his political survival over needs of Palestinians and said U.S. would release peace plan soon. U.S. 19 June withdrew from UN Human Rights Council citing alleged anti-Israeli bias. Israel continued to confront Iran militarily in Syria: Israeli forces reportedly bombed area near al-Bukamal in eastern Syria near Iraqi border 17 June, killing or injuring dozens of reported Syrian and Iraqi forces allied to Iran. Israel 18 June indicted former Minister Gonen Segev, arrested in May, for spying for Iran.

Israeli forces killed over 60 Palestinians 14 May during largest protests at Gaza-Israel border since weekly demonstrations began end March, conflict’s bloodiest day since 2014 Gaza war, pushing total killed during protests to over 100. Protests took place same day as opening of U.S. embassy in Jerusalem and day before Palestinian commemoration of expulsion and flight of 750,000 Palestinians from Israel in 1948 war. Israeli forces 14 May struck several Hamas targets unconnected to protests. Protests continued but on smaller scale 15 and 18 May. Protest leaders announced next major march 5 June, anniversary of beginning of 1967 war. After discovering improvised explosive device along Gaza border, Israel 27 May fired on position of radical group Islamic Jihad in Gaza, killing three. Israel 29 May responded to 27 mortars fired from Gaza with airstrikes on 35 sites allegedly belonging to Hamas and Islamic Jihad; Hamas and Israel 30 May established de facto ceasefire. Israeli navy 29 May apprehended Palestinian vessel attempting to break Gaza blockade. In West Bank, Israeli military 24 May conducted arrest raid near Ramallah, one soldier wounded during raid died 26 May. Palestinian govt 22 May called for International Criminal Court investigation into Israeli crimes in occupied territories. Palestinian National Council (PNC), legislative body of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), met 30 April-3 May and selected new fifteen-member Executive Committee, comprising more loyalists of PLO Chairman Abbas. Nasser Qidwa, possible Abbas successor, 6 May announced resignation from Fatah Central Committee over PNC meeting proceedings. PM Abbas hospitalised with apparent pneumonia 20-28 May. Israeli forces 8 May struck Syrian army positions in al-Kiswak, south of Damascus, reportedly killing fifteen people, including eight Iranians. Israel 10 May launched airstrikes against Iranian infrastructure in Syria, reportedly killing 23; it said attacks were in response to Iran firing rockets at Israeli troops in Golan Heights (see Syria).

Israeli troops forcibly suppressed weekly Palestinian protests at Gaza-Israel border killing at least thirteen Palestinians, raising total since protests began 30 March to at least 42, and injuring over 5,500; violence could rise as largest protests expected 15 May when Palestinians commemorate expulsion of 750,000 Palestinians from Israel in 1948 war and U.S. 14 May plans to open embassy in Jerusalem. During protests at Gaza-Israel border 6 and 13 April, Israeli forces reportedly shot and killed Palestinian journalists. Separately Israeli forces killed several more Palestinians in Gaza. In West Bank, Israeli citizens killed two Palestinians accused of trying to attack Israelis: checkpoint security guards 2 April shot Palestinian near Tulkarem who later died; armed civilian killed another Palestinian in Mishor Adumim settlement 9 April. Also in West Bank, hate crimes against Palestinians increased mid-April, including burning of mosque and destruction of vehicles and property. Palestinian National Council, legislative body of Palestine Liberation Organization, met 30 April. Israel reportedly attacked air base in central Syria 9 April killing seven Iranians; Iran promised retaliation. Strikes on three bases in northern Syria 29-30 April, described by Syrian opposition as Israeli and by pro-Syrian govt website as Western, reportedly killed 38 Syrian soldiers in Hama and eighteen Iranian fighters. At Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia 15 April, Saudi King Salman announced contributions of $150mn to Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem, which administers holy sites, $50mn to UN agency for Palestinian refugees and increase in budgetary aid to Palestinian Authority from $7mn to $21mn per month.

Violence between Palestinians and Israeli forces escalated in March, including during protests at Gaza-Israel border, and could rise further in April as Palestinians in Gaza plan to continue protests, and large numbers of religious Jews and Palestinians plan to visit Jerusalem for religious holidays of Passover in early April and in lead-up to start of Ramadan in May. Tens of thousands of Palestinians 30 March began mass protests at five sites along border of Gaza with Israel demanding right to return to Israel, protests planned to continue for six weeks; most protesters were peaceful, while minority threw stones at Israeli troops across border. Israeli forces suppressed protests with tear gas and live rounds, killing at least fifteen protesters 30 March. Separate from protests, Israeli forces 30 March killed two Hamas militants as they approached border. In West Bank, Palestinians 16 March killed two Israeli soldiers in Barta’a, and, 18 March, one Israeli civilian in Jerusalem. Separately, Israeli forces killed four Palestinians: one in Khan Younis 3 March, one in Hebron 9 March, one near Nablus 10 March and one in Jerusalem 18 March. In Gaza, explosive device detonated next to convoy of Palestinian Authority (PA) PM Hamdallah and intelligence chief Majed Faraj 13 March, neither injured; PA blamed Hamas, which condemned attack. PA President Abbas 19 March called U.S. ambassador to Israel “son of a dog” because of his support for Israeli settlers in West Bank.

In Gaza, four Israeli soldiers were injured by explosive device on Israel-Gaza border 17 Feb; in response Israeli tanks and planes same day attacked some eighteen targets in Gaza, most Hamas sites, killing two Palestinians. Palestinian protester, wounded by Israeli forces 16 Feb, died from injuries 21 Feb. Israeli forces killed Palestinian fisherman off Gaza coast 25 Feb. Violence increased in West Bank: Palestinian citizen of Israel stabbed to death Israeli rabbi near Ariel 5 Feb; Israeli forces killed six Palestinians – one in Ramallah 30 Jan, two in Jenin area 3 and 6 Feb, one in Nablus 6 Feb, one in Karmei Tzur 6 Feb and one in Jericho 22 Feb. At UN Security Council meeting 20 Feb, Palestinian Authority President Abbas proposed international peace conference by mid-2018; U.S. rejected Abbas’s plan and said it was finalising details of its own peace plan. Tensions between Israel and Iran escalated over Syrian conflict: after Israel shot down alleged Iranian drone launched from Syria, which entered Israeli air space 10 Feb via Jordanian airspace, Israeli jets carried out retaliatory raid on Iranian drone control site in Syria. Syrian anti-aircraft missile shot down Israeli jet on its return. Israel launched second, more intense bombing raid against Syrian and Iranian targets in Syria. Israeli PM Netanyahu 18 Feb warned Israel would, “if necessary”, act against Iran itself, not just its proxies. Dispute between Israel and Lebanon over land and maritime border escalated, particularly in relation to offshore drilling: Lebanon 6 Feb said border wall being built by Israel infringed on Lebanon’s sovereignty; Lebanon 9 Feb struck deal with foreign firms to explore Mediterranean gas field claimed by Israel; Hizbollah 16 Feb said it could take out Israeli oil facilities “within hours”; Lebanon rejected U.S.-mediated deal, which would have granted Lebanon most of disputed maritime area, instead demanding settlement of all border issues, including relating to disputed land border, under UN framework.

Fallout from U.S. President Trump’s 6 Dec announcement that U.S. recognises Jerusalem as Israel’s capital continued. Palestinian President Abbas 14 Jan reiterated Palestinian Liberation Organisation’s (PLO) commitment to two-state solution, but said that PLO would not participate in U.S.-mediated talks and rejected Trump administration’s forthcoming peace plan. PLO Central Council 15 Jan declared 1993 and 1995 Oslo Accords null and void. U.S. 16 Jan said it is withholding $65mn of its planned $125mn contribution to UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), first tranche of U.S. payments for 2018, and said agency must reform; U.S. 18 Jan froze further $45mn, pledged to UNRWA for emergency appeal in Dec. UNRWA 30 Jan said eleven countries had agreed to fast-track planned contributions to agency to cover funding gap, including seven which had already done so. Israeli parliament 2 Jan passed bill stipulating that govt would require support of two thirds of MPs to be able to relinquish any parts of Jerusalem to Palestinians; govt’s proposed provision, removed from draft bill due to lack of support in parliament, would have allowed govt to redraw Jerusalem’s municipal boundaries without parliamentary vote, including removing Arab neighbourhoods from city, consolidating Israeli control of city. In Gaza, living conditions deteriorated further as Palestinian Authority (PA) maintained punitive measures on enclave and rapprochement between rival Palestinian factions, Fatah and Hamas, continued to stall; expectations remained low that PA will take full responsibility for Gaza’s administration 1 Feb as planned. Israeli troops 31 Jan killed Palestinian during clash in al-Mugheir village, West Bank. Israel and Jordan 18 Jan announced end to bilateral diplomatic crisis resulting from July 2017 killing of two Jordanians by Israeli guard at Israel’s embassy in Jordan and Israel agreed to pay compensation; dispute remained over whether Israel had apologised (or merely expressed regret) and whether it had committed to try guard (or merely continue internal review).

U.S. President Trump’s 6 Dec declaration that U.S. recognises Jerusalem as Israel’s capital set back peace process, triggered protests by Palestinians that led to killings by Israeli forces, and rise in rocket launches from Gaza to Israel and Israeli strikes on Gaza. Trump said U.S. was not taking position on “final status issues” including “specific boundaries of the Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem”, while U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, attending event in occupied East Jerusalem, said he was in “Jerusalem, the holy city and the capital of the State of Israel”. Israel welcomed declaration, but Palestinians, who claim East Jerusalem as capital of future Palestinian state, and international community condemned it. At specially convened Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Turkish capital Ankara, Palestinian Authority (PA) President Abbas 13 Dec said Palestinians no longer accept U.S. role in peace process because it is “biased toward Israel” and OIC countries recognised East Jerusalem as Palestine’s capital. U.S. 18 Dec vetoed UN Security Council resolution introduced by Egypt demanding reversal of decision, which fourteen other Security Council members endorsed. President Abbas 22 Dec said that Palestinians “will not accept any plan” from U.S.. Palestinians protested throughout West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem clashing with Israeli security forces; latter 15 Dec reportedly killed four Palestinians during protests in Gaza and West Bank. Two Gazans killed in protests against Israel 22 Dec. Palestinian 10 Dec stabbed Israeli security guard in Jerusalem; Palestinian 15 Dec stabbed Israeli border police officer in Ramallah. Following Trump’s announcement non-Hamas militants in Gaza fired at least two dozen rockets at Israel; Israel responded with repeated strikes against Hamas, including 8 Dec strike that killed two Hamas members. Reconciliation between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas stalled; PA maintained sanctions on Gaza imposed early 2017.