Hamas

Palestinian responses to the International Criminal Court’s opening an investigation of Israel

The Palestinians were very pleased by International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda's decision that the Court would investigate Israel on suspicion of having carried out war crimes. In Palestinian perspective, the decision was of historic proportions and a significant achievement in their struggle against Israel. The Palestinians credit the decision to the policies of Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmoud Abbas. Jibril Rajoub said Israel's era of being defended by Trump had ended.
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News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (February 24 – March 2, 2021)

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.
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News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (February 17 – 23, 2021)

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.
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News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (February 10-16, 2021)

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.
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News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (February 3-9, 2021)

This past week the decrease in Covid-19 infection in the Gaza Strip continued, leading to further easing of restrictions. In Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem, on the other hand, the number of verified active cases increased (1,158 additional cases over the past week). Attention is now focused on the arrival of the vaccines and initiating public inoculation. On February 5, 2021, a panel of International Criminal Court (ICC) judges issued a majority ruling that the ICC had the authority to judge cases in the PA territories which were occupied in 1967. Preparations continue for the PA elections.
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Trends in Anti-Israeli Palestinian Terrorism, 2020

The year 2020 was a challenge for the Palestinians because of political developments and the coronavirus epidemic. During the year the extent of terrorism was relatively moderate and within the confines of popular terrorism. Despite the rise in the number of terrorist attacks, fewer attacks were lethal. In Judea and Samaria 40 terrorist attacks were carried out, up from 34 in 2019. Three Israeli were killed (two civilians and one IDF soldier), down from five in 2019 and 12 in 2018. During 2020, 46 Israelis were wounded (down from 66 in 2019 and 83 in 2018).
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