News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (September 1-6, 2010)

Hamas spokesman Musheir al-Masri

Hamas spokesman Musheir al-Masri

Candies distributed in the Jabaliya refugee camp to celebrate the terrorist attack

Candies distributed in the Jabaliya refugee camp to celebrate the terrorist attack

Palestinian smuggler holds pieces broken off from the underground steel barrier

Palestinian smuggler holds pieces broken off from the underground steel barrier

Rocket and mortar shell fire into Israeli territory

Rocket and mortar shell fire into Israeli territory

Rocket Fire 2010, Monthly Distribution

Rocket Fire 2010, Monthly Distribution

Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and American President Barack

Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and American President Barack

The Mariam anchored in the port of Tripoli and the ship's insignia

The Mariam anchored in the port of Tripoli and the ship's insignia

The Algerian delegation welcomed in the Gaza Strip

The Algerian delegation welcomed in the Gaza Strip

Members of the Turkish delegation with Ismail Haniya

Members of the Turkish delegation with Ismail Haniya

IDF Spokesman, September 3, 2010

IDF Spokesman, September 3, 2010

The structure on the outskirts of the village of Khirbet Silim

The structure on the outskirts of the village of Khirbet Silim


Hamas spokesman Musheir al-Masri
Hamas spokesman Musheir al-Masri extols the terrorist shooting

attack in Judea and Samaria
(Al-Jazeera TV, August 31, 2010).

Overview

 This past week events focused on the relaunching of the direct talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in Washington. According to media reports, both sides agreed their objective was to formulate a "framework agreement" within a year which would define the principles of a resolution for the conflict and the establishment of a Palestinian state. George Mitchell, the American envoy to the Middle East, said that Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas had also agreed to meet in the Middle East on September 14 and 15, and that they would continue meeting every two weeks.

 The opening session was accompanied by shooting attacks carried out by Hamas and targeting Israeli vehicles in Judea and Samaria: An attack southeast of Hebron killed four Israeli civilians. In another shooting attack in eastern Samaria two Israeli civilians were wounded. A shooting attack northeast of Ramallah did not result in casualties. Responsibility for the attacks, which were intended to disrupt the relaunching of the talks, was claimed by Hamas, which also threatened to maintain a dialogue with Israel "with guns."

Important Terrorist Events

Shooting Attacks in Judea and Samaria

 On the evening of August 31 an Israeli vehicle was shot at near the Bani Naim junction southeast of Kiryat Arba in Judea. The four Israeli civilians in the car were killed. The Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, officially claimed responsibility.1 In our assessment the objective of the attack was to disrupt the relaunching of direct negotiations in Washington.

 The Hamas leadership praised the attack. Musheir al-Masri, speaker for the Hamas faction in the Palestinian Legislative Council, said that the attack was "an extremely strong" response to the "talks for relaunching the direct negotiations." He said that the way for Palestinians to negotiate was "with guns," claiming that the "resistance" (i.e., terrorism) of Hamas’ military wing would continue "until the liberation of Palestine." Fawzi Barhoum, Hamas movement spokesman, claimed that the attack was the natural reaction to "Israel’s crimes" (Hamas� Palestine-info website, August 31, 2010). Hamas also held festivities in several refugee camps during which candy was distributed to the participants (Ma�an News Agency, August 31, 2010).

Candies distributed in the Jabaliya refugee camp to celebrate the terrorist attack
Candies distributed in the Jabaliya refugee camp to celebrate the terrorist attack (Hamas� Palestine-info website

, August 31, 2010).
  Palestinian smuggler holds pieces broken off from the underground steel barrier
Musheir al-Masri extols the terrorist attack which killed four Israeli civilians (Al-Jazeera TV, August 31, 2010).

 Hezbollah also expressed support of the attack. The organization said in a statement that it was "a clear message which proved that there was no option other than resistance" (i.e., terrorism and violence). It claimed that the attack was a response to "the policy of occupation and settlement" and that "the settlers can be considered occupation soldiers even if they do not wear uniforms" (Hezbollah’s Al-Intiqad website, September 2, 2010).

 Two similar attacks were later carried out; the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for both of them:

  • On September 1, an Israeli car was shot at in the area of Rimonim, a settlement in eastern Samaria. Two civilians were wounded, one seriously and one suffered minor wounds.

  • On September 2, an Israeli vehicle was shot at near the settlement of Ofra, northeast of Ramallah. There were no casualties.

 In response to the shooting attacks Ismail Haniya, head of the de facto Hamas administration, said that the events were the continuation of Islam’s historic victory during [the holy Muslim] month of Ramadan. He added that Hamas intended to continue "the path of Ramadan victories" in view of the attempt to "separate the [West] Bank from its Arab-Muslim depth and turn into an oasis of false peace" (Hamas� Al-Aqsa TV, September 2, 2010).

The Gaza Strip

Rocket Fire

 This past week one rocket hit was identified in Israeli territory. It fell in an open space in the western Negev. There were no casualties and no damage was done. The Popular Resistance Committees claimed responsibility for the attack (Chinese News Agency, September 4,)

Rockets and Mortar Shells Fired into Israeli Territory 1

Rocket and mortar shell fire into Israeli territory

Rocket Fire 2010, Monthly Distribution *

Rocket Fire 2010, Monthly Distribution

* Rocket hits identified in Israeli territory. A similar number misfire and customarily land inside the Gaza Strip. **As of September 6, 2010.

An Israeli Air Force Response

 In response to the rocket attacks, on the night of September 5 Israeli Air Force planes attacked a number of terrorist targets in the southern Gaza Strip. Among them were assault tunnels for the infiltration of terrorist squads into Israeli territory (IDF Spokesman’s website, September 5, 2010). The Palestinian media reported five wounded and a number of missing (Hamas� Palestine-info website, September 5, 2010).

The Peace Process

 On September 2 the direct talks between Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas began at the summit meeting in Washington. During the conference both sides met with American President Obama, Jordan’s King Abdallah and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, as well as with American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and American special envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell. Both sides agreed that their objective was to formulate a "framework agreement" within a year which would define the principles of a solution for the conflict and for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

 Benyamin Netanyahu said in a speech that he viewed Mahmoud Abbas as a "partner for peace." He said that "A true peace, a lasting peace, would be achieved only with mutual and painful concessions from both sides: from the Israeli side, from the Palestinian side — from my side, and from your side. But the people of Israel, and I as their prime minister, are prepared to walk this road and go a long way — a long way in a short time — to achieve a genuine peace." He said that the pillars of peace were Palestinian recognition of "Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people" and "legitimacy and security" against the "new forces" in the region, especially "Iran and its proxies, and the rise if missile warfare"3 (ITIC emphasis throughout) (Prime Minister’s website, September 2, 2010).

Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and American President Barack
Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and American President Barack
Obama before the working dinner (Israeli Government Press Office, September 1, 2010).

 Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, in a speech given to relaunch the negotiations on September 2, claimed that they could not be started all over again but had to be based on the previous rounds of talks in which all the unresolved issues had been defined. He said that during the talks in the coming year the sides would deal with all the issues of the final status agreement, including Jerusalem, the settlements, borders, security, water and the release or prisoners to "reach a peace which will end the conflict" (Haaretz, September 3, year).

Disputes between Iran and the Palestinian Authority

 Iranian President Ahmadinejad condemned the talks between Israel and the Palestinians, saying "who has the right to turn over those lands ["Palestine"] to the enemy?" He claimed that "Zionism is a problematic political party which works against humanity�controls the media and the centers of power and the economy." He said that "the fate of the Palestinians will be determined by the resistance of the nation and [its] citizens. The promise of Allah [will be] fulfilled and victory is close" (ISNA, September 3, 2010).

 In response Palestinian spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina attacked Ahmadinejad, claiming that "the man who does not represent the Iranian people�who faked the elections, oppresses the Iranian people and stole the regime would do better not to talk about Palestine" (Wafa News Agency, September 5, 2010).

Developments in the Gaza Strip

The Crossings

 This past week between 160 and 180 trucks bearing supplies entered the Gaza Strip through the crossings every day (The website of the Government Coordinator for the Territories, September 6, 2010). The previous week (August 22-28) 856 trucks entered through the Kerem Shalom crossing and 170 through the Karni crossing. Four hundred and eighty-nine of them carried food, 185 animal feed and 291 other humanitarian assistance. The rest were loaded with agricultural products, medical aid and hygiene products (The Government Coordinator for the Territories, August 31, 2010).

Flotillas and Convoys to the Gaza Strip

 Flotillas and Convoys Update

 Reports continue to be received about international efforts to organize aid flotillas and convoys to the Gaza Strip. The update follows:

Lebanon

 The Lebanese women’s ship Mariam is still anchored in the port of Tripoli (NBN-TV, September 4, 2010). Yasser Qashlaq, chairman of the Free Palestine Movement, claimed that the flotilla would set sail in September and called on the Pope to ask the Greek authorities to help the ship reach the Gaza Strip (Al-Nishra, September 1, 2010). He also said that his network would operate for the Palestinians’ "right of return" and that it intended to initiate "popular activities" in support of the cause (NTV, September 1, 2010) .

Other Initiatives

The Mariam anchored in the port of Tripoli and the ship's insignia
The Mariam anchored in the port of Tripoli and the ship’s insignia (NBN-TV, September 4, 2010).

 Britain: The Lifeline 5 aid convoy organized by Viva Palestina, the organization of the pro-Hamas former British MP George Galloway, along with the International Committee to Break the Siege on the Gaza Strip, is expected to set out from London on September 18, 2010. An official spokesman of the convoy, Zaher Birawi, a Hamas activist who found asylum in Britain and who is chairman of the board of directors of the Palestinian Return Centre, claimed that the convoy would consist of dozens of trucks carrying medical and humanitarian assistance. They are expected to pass through "a number of European countries, Syria and Turkey." He said that in Syria the convoy would be joined by trucks from Gulf states and Jordan and sail from the Syrian port of Latakia to El Arish, and that the assistance would be transported overland through the Rafah crossing (Hamas� daily Felesteen, September 3, 2010).4

 The Arab Countries:

Algeria: An Algerian aid delegation entered the Gaza Strip on September 4 and was received by Ismail Haniya, head of the de facto Hamas administration, and some Hamas ministers. The delegation brought 2,500 tons of food and other assistance, including wheelchairs, diapers and school supplies. It also brought funds for building a hospital (Ma�an News Agency, September 4; Al-Yawm Al-Saba�a, September 2, 2010).

The Algerian delegation welcomed in the Gaza Strip
The Algerian delegation welcomed in the Gaza Strip

(Hamas’ Al-Aqsa TV, September 4, 2010).

Turkey: On August 13 a 45-man Turkish delegation reached the Gaza Strip, among whose members were nine IHH operatives who were injured in the confrontation aboard the Mavi Marmara. The delegation was received by de facto Hamas administration head Ismail Haniya, Hamas ministers and Palestinian Legislative Council members.

Members of the Turkish delegation with Ismail Haniya
Members of the Turkish delegation with Ismail Haniya
(YeniSafak.com.tr, August 13, 2010).

Jordan: The Ansar 1 aid convoy, which attempted to reach the Gaza Strip in July and was refused entry by the Egyptian foreign ministry, is still waiting for an answer. Its organizers are pessimistic about its chances (Amman.net, September 5, 2010).

Lebanon

Hezbollah Arms Depot Explodes

 At around noon on September 3 an series of explosions occurred in a building in the village of Al-Shihabiya in south Lebanon (east of Tyre). They apparently occurred in a Hezbollah arms depot located in a three-story house which belonged to a Hezbollah operative from the Salum family. The blast apparently wounded a number of civilians, including family members who lived in the house. The event is another example of Hezbollah’s systematic violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

IDF Spokesman, September 3, 2010
UAV photograph of the structure as a series of explosions took place within

(IDF Spokesman, September 3, 2010).

 After the explosion Hezbollah forces prevented UNIFIL soldiers, the Lebanese army and correspondents from approaching the area. Using trucks and other vehicles, they also clandestinely removed the weapons left in the depot and moved them to nearby villages. Lebanese army forces later entered the area to conduct an investigation. UNFIL forces watched from afar and photographed the area from helicopter (To see photographs of the site and the removal of the remaining weapons, see the video taken by a UAV released by the IDF Spokesman, attached to this bulletin).

 The weapons depot which exploded was located in the heart of the Shi�ite region south of the Litani River, where Hezbollah has a massive presence. The building next to the depot was the site of Hezbollah’s headquarters and was attacked by the IDF during the Second Lebanon War. According to reports from various news agencies, a fire broke out after eight rockets, a number of hand grenades and quantities of explosives stored in the building exploded (Reuters, September 3, 2010). Eye witnesses reported having seen a generator on fire next to the building. As in the past, senior Hezbollah figures denied that the explosion occurred in an arms depot, stressing that that could not be decided before the event had been investigated (Al-Akhbar, September 4, 2010).

 It was the third time in a year that a Hezbollah arms depot in south Lebanon blew up:

The structure on the outskirts of the village of Khirbet Silim
The structure on the outskirts of the village of Khirbet Silim which served
as an arms depot for Hezbollah, before (left) and after the explosion.

  • On July 14, 2009, there was an explosion in an abandoned building on the outskirts of the village of Khirbet Silim, in the Bint Jbeil area south of the Litani River (15 kilometers, or 9.3 miles, from the Israeli border). UNIFIL forces, which could only enter the area the following day because of Hezbollah’s opposition, found an abandoned building which had apparently served Hezbollah as an arms depot. They found machinegun ammunition, mortar shells, artillery shells and rockets.


UNIFIL forces examine the interior and exterior of the site of the explosion,

inside and outside (Al-Intiqad, Hezbollah’s website, October 13, 2009).

 On October 12, 2009, at 21:15, there was an explosion in the home of a Hezbollah operative in the village of Tair Filsay (about 15 kilometers, or 9.3 miles, northeast of Tyre, south of the Litani River), which served as an arms depot. The explosion apparently injured several individuals in the house at the time, including the owner. There were conflicting reports about the number of the injured: The various media reported five killed (Reuters, October 12, 2009), two killed (Al-Arabiya TV, October 12, 2009), and one killed (AP, October 12, 2009). Hezbollah and the Lebanese army claimed that only one person was hurt.

 In all three instances Hezbollah moved quickly to contain the events and hide its connection to them. That was done by blaming Israel (claiming old Israeli ammunition had exploded) or by obscuring the facts which proved that Hezbollah maintained weapons depots in populated areas (the existence of weapons in south Lebanon is a gross violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701).

 According to evaluations, four years after the Second Lebanon War Hezbollah has not only restored its presence in south Lebanon but has increased it. Today it has an arsenal of more than 40,000 rockets, some of which are stored in civilian dwellings, mosques and schools in south Lebanon (IDF Spokesman, September 4, 2010).

Click for Video


1 For further information see the date bulletin, �On the eve of the summit meeting in Washington to relaunch the direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, a shooting attack was carried out targeting an Israeli vehicle southeast of Hebron� at http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/pdf/ipc_e122.pdf.

2 The statistics do not include the mortar shells fired at IDF soldiers patrolling the border fence which fell inside the Gaza Strip.

3 http://www.pmo.gov.il/PMOEng/Communication/PMSpeaks/speechstate020910.htm.

4 For further information see the February 21, 2010 bulletin, Britain as a Focus for Hamas� Political, Propaganda and Legal Activities in Europe.