West Bank

Palestinian officials said Jan. 17 that they had arrested a member of their peace negotiating department for spying for Israel, a development likely to deepen distrust between the sides at a time of deadlocked diplomacy and simmering street violence. 

A 52-year-old former political prisoner facing extradition from Bulgaria but refusing to turn himself in is still staying at the Palestinian Authority's embassy, Al Jazeera reports.

Israeli forces shot dead at least two Palestinians when clashes erupted during an operation Nov. 16 to destroy the West Bank home of a Palestinian accused of killing an Israeli hiker, the army said.

Palestinian hospital sources reported the death of two Palestinians, while the Israeli military said three were shot in an exchange of fire at Qalandiya.    

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a review of the status of certain Palestinian neighborhoods in east Jerusalem, an official confirmed on Oct. 26, a decision that could potentially strip tens of thousands of Palestinians of their Israeli residency rights.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Oct. 18 he would meet the Israeli and Palestinian leaders on separate trips to Germany and the Middle East after days of violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Israel started setting up roadblocks in Palestinian neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem and deploying soldiers in cities across the country on Oct. 14 to try to combat the worst surge of violence in months.

Palestinian officials condemned the security measures - the most serious clampdown in the Jerusalem area since a Palestinian uprising a decade ago - as collective punishment. 

Turkey has ?strongly condemned? Israel for use of disproportionate force against Palestinians, calling for an urgent end to ?its provocative and arbitrary practices.?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged "a fight to the death against Palestinian terror" as clashes spread after two deadly attacks, while Jerusalem's Old City was closed to Palestinians for a second day Oct.5.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas warned on Sept.22 of the risk of a new intifada after clashes last week at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound and with tensions rising as Jews and Muslims celebrate major religious holidays.

Some 13,000 Palestinian structures in the West Bank are currently under Israeli demolition orders, leaving residents and homes "in a state of chronic uncertainty and threat", the UN said on Sept.7.