In line with reconciliation deal between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas signed 12 Oct, Hamas 1 Nov transferred control of Gaza’s border crossings to Fatah-led Palestinian Authority (PA) and stopped collecting taxes. Hamas said that despite deal PA had not lifted any sanctions imposed on Gaza over previous eight months. Fatah and Hamas discussed reconciliation deal in Cairo 21-22 Nov; agreed with other Palestinian factions to hold general elections by end of 2018. Palestinian PM Hamdallah 28 Nov told PA staff in Gaza who stopped working after Hamas’s 2007 takeover to resume work; Hamas criticised move and next day prevented staff’s return. Fatah’s chief negotiator 29 Nov said Hamas “not committed” to Cairo deal signed Oct. Hamas and Fatah 29 Nov agreed to delay by ten days Hamas’s full transfer of Gaza, originally planned for 1 Dec, to “finalise arrangements”. Egypt temporarily opened its border crossing with Gaza at Rafah 18-20 Nov for first time since PA assumed. PA President Abbas 8 Nov said PA had resumed security cooperation with Israel, formally frozen since violence at Holy Esplanade in July. Israel 30 Oct bombed inside its territory destroying tunnel connecting Gaza and Israel operated by radical group Islamic Jihad to launch attacks against Israel, twelve Palestinian militants killed. Israeli army early Nov conditioned its release of five militants’ bodies on Hamas releasing Israeli citizens and bodies of Israeli soldiers. Israel 12 Nov approved bill to retroactively legalise outposts in West Bank and 17 Nov handed out evacuation notices to all 300 residents of Bedouin village Jabal al-Baba, east of Jerusalem. U.S. 17 Nov threatened to close office of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in Washington unless Palestinians enter talks with Israel; in response PLO said it would end communication with Trump administration; U.S. 24 Nov said office could remain open for at least 90 days.

Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas took steps toward reconciliation and formation of unity govt: Hamas 1 Oct released five Fatah prisoners; cabinet of West Bank-based Fatah-led Palestinian Authority (PA) convened in Hamas-governed Gaza 3 Oct for first time in three years, with facilitation of Israeli govt. During cabinet meeting Hamas and Fatah announced intention to end decade-long division and hold talks in Egypt 10-11 Oct. Following those talks, parties 12 Oct signed reconciliation agreement, under which national consensus govt is to assume responsibility for Gaza’s administration by 1 Dec. Hamas 1 Nov handed over control of crossings on Gaza’s borders with Israel and Egypt to PA. Further talks in Cairo scheduled for 14 Nov and early Dec. Israeli PM Netanyahu 12 Oct said Israel objects to any reconciliation that does not include Hamas’s disarmament, and that Fatah-Hamas deal “makes peace much harder to achieve”. Israeli Security Cabinet 17 Oct said Israel would not negotiate with Palestinian govt “that relies on Hamas” unless seven conditions met, including Hamas disarming, ending ties with Iran and recognising Israel. U.S. envoy Jason Greenblatt 19 Oct said Hamas must recognise Israel and commit to non-violence to play role in Palestinian govt. Israel increased pace of settlement expansion, reportedly began building some 1,600 homes 15 Oct in Givat Hamatos, East Jerusalem, and 16 and 18 Oct approved plans to build over 2,500 homes in West Bank. EU 18 Oct said settlement building hinders efforts to renew peace talks and is “illegal under international law”. Israel 30 Oct destroyed tunnel running beneath Gaza-Israel border, reportedly killing seven militants. U.S. 12 Oct announced its withdrawal from UNESCO citing organisation’s “anti-Israel bias”; Netanyahu praised decision and same day said Israel planned to withdraw.

Israeli PM Netanyahu in meeting with Egyptian President Sisi 19 Sept in New York expressed desire to “resume negotiations” and reach “comprehensive solution” to conflict. U.S. envoy Jason Greenblatt 19 Sept said priority was to implement “existing agreements” and open up “new areas of cooperation” to benefit Palestinians and Israelis; U.S. President Trump 20 Sept said U.S. would publish before end of 2017 plan to renew Israeli-Palestinian talks, without stating preference for specific solution. In interview published 1 Sept, U.S. ambassador to Israel described occupation of Palestine as “alleged”; Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) said statement “unacceptable”. Hamas 17 Sept said it was ready to dissolve its committee governing Gaza and hand over administrative responsibility to Palestinian Authority (PA). PA said its cabinet would convene in Gaza 2 Oct. Palestinian authorities 3 Sept confirmed death of Palestinian youth from wounds incurred early Aug during Israeli raid in West Bank’s Dheisheh refugee camp. Netanyahu 10 Sept said security services pre-empted some 70 attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians in previous two months. Palestinian gunman 26 Sept shot dead Israeli border police officer and two Israeli security guards at Har Adar settlement, West Bank. Coalition of Palestinian human rights organisations 20 Sept submitted to International Criminal Court alleged evidence of war crimes by high-level Israeli officials in West Bank since 13 June 2014. Interpol 27 Sept voted to accept Palestine as member despite Israel’s efforts to block move. Israeli army 5 Sept began ten-day drills simulating conflict with Hizbollah including manoeuvres into Lebanese territory. Israeli jets 10 Sept broke sound barrier flying over southern Lebanese city of Saida; Lebanese govt 11 Sept said it would file complaint at UN for violation of its airspace.

Israel and Palestinian Authority (PA) reportedly resumed security coordination early Aug after PA 21 July said it was suspending coordination in protest against Israel’s installation of metal detectors at entrances to Jerusalem’s Holy Esplanade, removed late July. Israel early Aug arrested dozens of Palestinians, mostly from Jerusalem, suspected of involvement in July protests over control of access to Holy Esplanade. King Abdullah of Jordan 7 Aug visited Ramallah to discuss tensions over Holy Esplanade with PA President Abbas (his first trip to Ramallah in five years), amid ongoing diplomatic tensions with Israel after Israeli guard 23 July shot two Jordanians at Israel’s embassy in Amman. Jordan 9 Aug reportedly told Israel it would not allow Israeli ambassador to return until embassy guard was investigated and tried (see Jordan). Egypt opened Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza 14-18 Aug allowing 2,500 Gazans to perform Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. Hamas security forces 17 Aug detained two Palestinians attempting to enter Egypt from Gaza, one of whom, reportedly affiliated to Islamic State (ISIS), detonated explosives vest, killing himself and Hamas guard; attack allegedly aimed at Egyptian security forces. Israeli border police in West Bank 19 Aug shot dead Palestinian teenager who tried to attack them with knife. Abbas 1 Aug and PA Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah 14 Aug met Hamas delegations to discuss possible reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah, potentially involving PA resuming control of Gaza. PA 9 Aug arrested five journalists, mostly working for pro-Hamas outlets, for “leaking sensitive information to hostile authorities”, released them 14 Aug; Hamas later released Fatah-affiliated journalist. After rocket fired from Gaza landed in southern Israel 8 Aug, Israeli planes same day struck two Hamas targets in Gaza.

Three Palestinians with Israeli citizenship shot dead two policemen guarding entrance to Jerusalem’s Holy Esplanade 14 July, before being killed by police. Israeli authorities same day closed site until 16 July and installed metal detectors at entrances, leading Muslims to boycott site and triggering protests in and around Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza against Israel’s perceived attempt to increase control of esplanade. Israeli-Palestinian violence escalated: Israeli military shot dead Palestinian who rammed car into soldiers in West Bank 18 July, injuring two; Palestinian fatally stabbed three Israelis in West Bank settlement Halamish 21 July; four Palestinian protestors killed in clashes with Israeli security forces in and around Jerusalem 21-22 July. Palestinian Authority (PA) President Abbas 21 July announced suspension of security coordination with Israel citing installation of metal detectors, but coordination continued. Israeli guard at Israel’s embassy in Jordanian capital Amman 23 July shot dead seventeen-year-old Jordanian, who reportedly attacked him with screwdriver, and bystander; Israeli embassy staff including guard repatriated 25 July (see Jordan). Israeli authorities 24-25 July removed metal detectors outside Holy Esplanade, reportedly in return for Jordan allowing repatriation of embassy guard. Israel’s security cabinet 13 July suspended plans to build Palestinian homes in West Bank city Qalqilya, despite having agreed in June to allow more building. Humanitarian crisis in Gaza continued as PA took further steps to weaken Hamas and Gaza’s economy. Hamas 8 July accused PA of blocking fuel payments to Egypt; Gaza’s only power plant shut down 12 July due to fuel shortage. PA early July also said it would force thousands of PA civil servants in Gaza to retire early, and threatened to cut welfare payments to 80,000 Gaza families. Two stray Syrian shells landed in Golan Heights 1 July, no casualties reported. After two rockets landed in south west Israel 23 July, Israeli forces next day destroyed Hamas installation in Gaza.

In Gaza, living conditions continued to worsen as Israel reduced electricity supply at request of Palestinian Authority (PA). Hamas delegation met officials in Egypt and agreed several steps to ease Gaza blockade; initial supply of Egyptian fuel to generators arrived 22 June. U.S. Envoy Jason Greenblatt and President Trump’s adviser Jared Kushner 20 June met Israeli PM Netanyahu and PA President Abbas to try to secure support for renewed peace process. In response to U.S. request to limit settlement construction and strengthen Palestinian control in West Bank, Netanyahu agreed to more modest change than requested, namely to allow Palestinian construction and legalise existing construction on limited territory near Area C administrative zone in West Bank. Netanyahu also advanced plans to build 3,178 residential units in West Bank settlements. In response to rocket fired from Gaza into Israel, latter 27 June bombed targets including Hamas bases in Gaza, no casualties reported. Israel 24 and 25 June retaliated to stray Syrian regime shells landing in Golan Heights by launching strikes on regime military positions in Syria.

Palestinian prisoners in Israel continued hunger strike to demand improvements in conditions until 27 May, despite Israel’s attempt to undermine strike leader Marwan Barghouti by releasing video of him eating; at least 60 strikers taken to Israeli civilian hospitals in critical condition. Hundreds of Palestinians protesting in solidarity with prisoners 19 May clashed with Israeli security forces in West Bank and Gaza. Hamas 1 May released political document significantly moderating its positions in 1988 charter including referring to Palestinian state on pre-1967 borders as a formula for Palestinian national consensus and stressing that Hamas’s conflict was with Zionism and not with Jews because of their religion. However, 1988 charter not abrogated. President Abbas met U.S. President Trump 3 May at White House; Abbas said afterwards he had stressed importance of two-state solution. Israel 21 May said it would make economic concessions to Palestinians as part of confidence-building measures requested by Trump, including building two industrial zones in West Bank and ease restrictions on Palestinian construction in Area C. Visiting Jerusalem and Bethlehem 22-23 May, Trump confirmed commitment to resolving Israel-Palestine conflict but did not say how. In Gaza, living conditions continued to worsen as electricity shortages and salary cuts persisted and Palestinian Authority (PA) delayed sending medicine and baby formula. Hamas 6 May said it had elected former PA PM and leader of Hamas’s political bureau in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh as new leader. Missile reportedly fired at Israel from Sinai 23 May, no casualties reported. Israel 28 May announced ambitious plans for Jerusalem’s Old City Basin, including cable car to be unilaterally designed and implemented by Israel which would connect West Jerusalem with Old City.

Some 700 Palestinian prisoners in Israel began open-ended hunger strike on commemoration day for prisoners in Israel, 17 April, to demand changes in prison policies; strike led by Fatah and in particular Marwan Barghouti, but prisoners from other factions took part; crowds same day demonstrated in West Bank in solidarity with detainees. By end month number of strikers had risen to about 1,000. Israel refused to negotiate with prisoners. Only functioning power plant in Gaza exhausted fuel causing severe reduction in electricity supply mid-April. Hamas refused to pay Palestinian Authority (PA) tax on fuel from PA; PA 27 April told Israel it would no longer pay for electricity that Israel supplies to Gaza. Following Hamas’s creation of administrative committee to govern Gaza in March, President Abbas cut March compensation to PA employees in Gaza by 30-70%, citing fall in aid, prompting thousands to protest in Gaza. PA 24 April called on Hamas to hand over Gaza as precondition for reconciliation; Hamas 25 April said it was ready to dissolve administrative committee once PA assumes governance role in Gaza. After lull of almost a year in “lone wolf” attacks in Jerusalem, stabbings resumed: Palestinian woman stabbed and wounded Israeli soldier at checkpoint 24 April. Israel 10 April closed border with Egypt to Israeli tourists citing intelligence that Islamic State (ISIS) would target attacks on Israelis in Sinai. Unclaimed rocket fired from Sinai into southern Israel 10 April, no casualties.

Israeli soldiers 6 March killed youth activist Basel al-Araj, in hiding from Palestinian Authority (PA) in West Bank, sparking protests against suspected cooperation between PA and Israel. PA security forces 12 March assaulted people protesting against PA’s trial of six activists arrested in 2016, including deceased al-Araj. Rate of rockets launched from Gaza into Israel continued to rise: non-Hamas factions launched five rockets 1-18 March, Israel retaliated against Hamas positions. Hamas blamed Israel for killing of senior militant 24 March in Gaza, Israel declined to comment. U.S. President Trump 10 March invited Palestinian President Abbas to White House “soon” to discuss peace process. U.S. representative for international negotiations Jason Greenblatt 13-16 March made first visit to Israel and West Bank, meeting Abbas. Abbas met Egyptian President Sisi 20 March ahead of Arab League summit 29 March and upcoming Abbas and Sisi meetings with Trump. Summit closing statement 29 March said Arab League members would “work to relaunch serious Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations”. Talks between U.S. and Israel 20-23 March in Washington D.C. failed to produce agreement on restricting settlement building in occupied territories. UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) 15 March published report accusing Israel of imposing “apartheid regime” on Palestinians; following pressure from U.S. and Israel, UNSG Guterres withdrew report, ESCWA chief 17 March resigned in protest. UN envoy 24 March told UNSC Israel had not stopped building settlements as demanded in Dec 2016 SC resolution. Following PM Netanyahu’s Feb pledge to house Jewish families evicted from illegal settlement Amona, govt 30 March approved plan to build new settlement in West Bank at Emek Shilo, 25km north of Jerusalem, first new settlement in over twenty years; UN, EU, UK, France, Germany condemned move.

U.S. President Trump at joint press conference with PM Netanyahu 15 Feb said he was open to both two-state and one-state solutions; Palestine Liberation Organization affirmed its support for two-state solution. Netanyahu supported 6 Feb passage of controversial “regularisation law” that gives legal immunity to settlements and outposts built on seized private Palestinian land in West Bank. Netanyahu 2 Feb promised govt would establish new settlement as compensation for dismantlement, in accordance with Supreme Court decision, of small unauthorised Amona settlement; dismantlement began 6 Feb, sparked limited violence. Following cancellation in Sept 2016 of municipal elections in West Bank and Gaza set for Oct, Palestinian Authority (PA) early Feb said it would hold them 13 May; Hamas rejected schedule saying municipal elections should come after implementation of Palestinian reconciliation agreements. Hamas 16 Feb at meeting with Central Elections Commission rejected recent changes to electoral law. Mahmoud Alloul appointed Fatah deputy leader 15 Feb. Internal Hamas elections continued in Gaza: Yehya Sinwar, a military wing leader, elected head of Gaza political bureau. Unidentified Salafi-jihadist group 6 Feb launched rocket from Gaza toward Ashkelon in Israel; Israel retaliated by striking many Hamas targets. Another rocket fired from Gaza at Israel 26 Feb. Islamic State (IS) claimed to have fired four rockets from Egypt 8 Feb on Eilat city in southern Israel, Israel’s missile defence system intercepted three and one landed in open area, causing no damage; said Israeli unmanned aircraft 18 Feb killed five IS fighters in Sinai; IS 20 Feb fired two more rockets into southern Israel.