General Information

Coronavirus: In Judea and Samaria the number of active cases continues to rise. The ministry of health in Ramallah also noted a rise in hospital occupancy and in serious and critical cases. The Palestinian Authority (PA) announced the lockdown would be extended to April 3, 2021. Vaccinating Palestinians has begun and social media users have criticized its lack of transparency. Terrorist attacks: The Gaza Strip has been relatively quiet. The Gaza Strip: Following an appeal from the families of the three fishermen who were killed off the Khan Yunis shore, Mahmoud Abbas declared them shaheeds (Wafa, March 17, 2021). That may mean they will be eligible for monthly payments from PA. The PA: Preparations for the elections continue. Read more...

Coronavirus: In the Gaza Strip there was a moderate increase in the number of active cases. Vaccines donated by the UAE and with the personal involvement of Muhammad Dahlan arrived and Gazans are being vaccinated. In Judea and Samaria the number of active cases continues rising. Terrorist attacks: The Gaza Strip has been relatively quiet. In Judea and Samaria Palestinians continue throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at Israel vehicles and communities. The Gaza Strip: The ministry of the interior in Gaza announced that according to the results of the investigation into the explosion on the fishing boat off the Khan Yunis coast on March 7, 2021, which killed three fisherman, Israel was responsible for the deaths. Yahya al-Sinwar won a close race in Hamas' internal elections and will serve as head of Hamas' political bureau for four more years. Read more...

Coronavirus: In the Gaza Strip there was a slight rise in the number of active cases. Public health figures are concerned that a variant might enter for which they have do not have the ability to test. In Judea and Samaria coronavirus infections continue to spread. Terrorist attacks: There were two stabbing attacks, one targeting a civilian living in the Ephraim Farms and the other targeting IDF forces operating in the Tubas region. The Gaza Strip: On March 7, 2021, Hamas' military wing fired a number of rockets from the central Gaza Strip towards the sea. The International Criminal Court (ICC): The Palestinians were very pleased that the ICC's chief prosecutor decided to initiate an investigation of Israel. In Palestinian perspective the decision was a historic achievement in the Palestinian struggle against Israel. Incitement: The Palestinian media continue anti-Israeli incitement and glorifying terrorists. Read more...

Covid-19: In the Gaza Strip the number of Covid-19 cases continues to decline, resulting in the cancellation of some restrictions. In Judea and Samaria, however, the number continues to rise, with a drastic increase over the past week. Palestinian terrorism: This past week the Gaza Strip was relatively quiet. The Israeli security forces detained a Bedouin resident of Israel who was recruited by Hamas' military-terrorist wing. Palestinian elections: Preparations continue for holding elections in Judea and Samaria. Mahmoud Abbas issued an order establishing a court for election-related issues. Read more...

In the Gaza Strip the decline in the number of Covid-19 patients continues. In Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem, however, the number rose significantly this past week, which had an effect on the number of seriously ill patients and coronavirus-related deaths. This past week the Gaza Strip was relatively quiet. In Judea and Samaria Palestinians continued throwing rocks and stones at Israeli vehicles driving on the main roads, although there was a significant decrease in the number of events. PA preparations continue for the upcoming elections. Palestinian sources close to Mahmoud Abbas reported he appointed Hussein al-Sheikh, chairman the civilian affairs authority, as PLO negotiator, replacing Saeb Erekat, former PLO negotiator and secretary of the PLO's Executive Committee, who died in November 2020. Read more...

This past week the number of active Covid-19 cases in the Gaza Strip continued to decline. However, in Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem there was a significant increase in the number, including 186 cases of the British variant. In Judea and Samaria there was a significant increase in the number of stones, rocks, Molotov cocktails and bottles of paint thrown at vehicles on the main roads. In Cairo the meeting of the Palestinian organizations ended with an agreement on a framework for holding elections. The Palestinians are pleased with the ruling of the International Criminal Court (ICC) judges regarding the opening of an investigation and are urging the chief prosecutor to begin it immediately. Read more...