Hamas

There were two terrorist attacks this past week: A Palestinian woman was killed attempting a combined vehicular-ramming and stabbing attack in Hizma, south of Nablus; a Palestinian woman tried to carry out a stabbing attack in Hebron and was detained. The flag march in the Old City of Jerusalem, June 15, 2021 and reactions: Despite threats from Hamas and the other terrorist organizations, the flag march in Jerusalem ended without significant repercussions. Addenda to Operation Guardian of the Walls: Given what is described by Hamas as lack of progress in contacts for defining the situation in the Gaza Strip, the Hamas leadership is increasing its efforts to ease daily life for the Gazan population by exerting pressure on Israel. The coronavirus vaccine crisis: The delivery of soon-to- expire coronavirus vaccines from Israel to the Palestinian Authority (PA) was severely criticized, and after the first batch was delivered the PA cancelled the deal. Read more...

Flag parade: Israel's intention to hold the flag parade, cancelled because of Hamas rocket fire targeting Jerusalem (the beginning of Operation Guardian of the Walls) enraged the Palestinians, whose responses included threats to renew the rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. Judea and Samaria: A shooting attack was carried out near Elon Moreh (east of Nablus), targeting an Israeli civilian vehicle. No casualties were reported. Rebuilding the Gaza Strip: The Egyptian army sent engineers and heavy equipment to clear the rubble in the Gaza Strip. Egypt: The heads of the Palestinian organizations have been summoned to Cairo for two days of talks to discuss the internal Palestinian reconciliation. The Palestinian Authority (PA): PA Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh completed a round of visits to the Gulf States, with Qatar as his final stop. Read more...

Operation Guardian of the Walls: Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas are negotiating to stabilize the ceasefire declared on May 22, 2021. Hamas objects to creating a linkage between the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip and the return of Israel's MIAs and prisoners. Despite the loss of life and destruction of the Gazan infrastructure, Hamas continues branding the operation a victory for Hamas, claiming it changed the "equation" with Israel and returned the Palestinian cause to the international agenda. Read more...