Hamas

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...

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. Read more...

In the Gaza Strip this past week the number of active Covid-19 cases continued to decrease; in response Egypt opened the Rafah Crossing. A Palestinian attempted to stab an IDF soldier at the Gush Etzion Junction. Mohammed al-Emadi, chairman of Qatar's National Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza, arrived in the Gaza Strip bringing Qatar's monthly donation of $3 million. PA Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh reported that formal contacts had been renewed between the PA and the American administration after the complete break in relations under Trump. Read more...