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PA Security Forces Operate Against Armed Terrorists in the Jenin Refugee Camp

On December 14, 2024, the Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces launched a large-scale operation against armed terrorist operatives in the Jenin refugee camp, following orders from PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas. The forces clashed with the operatives, and the commander of a local Palestinian Islamic Jihad brigade was killed; A spokesperson for the security forces stated that the operation's goal was to liberate the refugee camp from the grip of criminals. He asserted that control over the camp had been achieved and that a car bomb meant for an attack on the forces had been neutralized. According to reports, some of the wanted terrorists surrendered to IDF forces; The operation followed a rise in tensions between the terrorist operatives and the PA security forces, the result of Israeli security force activities in Judea and Samaria since the beginning of the Gaza Strip War; The operation was also part of the PA's attempts to demonstrate governance and position itself as a ruling authority in the Gaza Strip in preparation for "the day after" the war. It was also an attempt to prevent an armed uprising similar to what overthrew the regime in Syria; Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) accused the PA of collaborating with Israel, and called on the security forces to cease their "persecutions" and join the "resistance" fighters; Despite the change in PA security forces' approach and their willingness to confront armed terrorist operatives, it is a complex challenge which will require long-term efforts. Since the beginning of the war, Iran has been attempting to ignite the Judea and Samaria front against Israel. In light of the blows sustained by the "resistance axis" in recent weeks, Tehran may intensify its efforts to encourage armed factions to escalate their activities against Israel and the PA, thus there is concern that the violence may spill over into other areas in Judea and Samaria.
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Spotlight on Iran and the Shiite Axis (December 4-11, 2024)

Senior Iranian officials and the Iranian media expressed acceptance of the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria and concern about future developments in the country and Israel’s exploitation of the situation. The Iranian Supreme Leader noted that it was a “joint American-Zionist plan.” However, they stressed that the fall of the Syrian regime would not have a significant negative impact on the “resistance front,” including Hezbollah. The pro-Iranian militias claimed that the plot was intended to undermine the support of the “axis of resistance” for the Gaza Strip; Reports indicate that Iran has already established channels of communication with elements among the power groups that took over Syria, to protect Iranian missions in Syria and the Shiite holy sites and prevent a deterioration between the two countries.; Iran and the militias strongly condemned Israel’s attacks in Syria and the entry of IDF forces into the buffer zone in the Golan Heights following the fall of the Assad regime; Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with senior figures in Hamas’ political bureau and discussed negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip; The Houthis claimed responsibility for a joint attack with the Islamic Resistance in Iraq using drones against a target in Israel. The IDF Spokesperson said that a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted before it penetrated Israeli territory. A drone launched by the Houthis hit a building in Yavneh. There were no casualties; The Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack on two American destroyers and three supply ships in the Gulf of Aden. The US Central Command confirmed that the destroyers thwarted an attack using drones and a cruise missile.
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Spotlight on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (December 3 – 10 , 2024)

IDF forces continued operating in the northern Gaza Strip, focusing on the Jebalya refugee camp and Beit Lahia, as well as in the central and southern parts of the Strip. One IDF officer and three soldiers were killed in the fighting; A ceasefire and relations for a hostage release deal: Qatar returned to the mediations amid reports of significant progress in talks based on the Egyptian plan. According to reports, Hamas submitted a list of Israeli hostages who would be released as part of the first phase in exchange for Palestinian prisoners; The World Central Kitchen dismissed more than 60 employees in the Gaza Strip after an Israeli security check identified them as security risks; Hamas claimed it supported the Egyptian initiative to establish a committee to manage the Gaza Strip after the war. Fatah claimed that forming the committee would create a division between the Gaza Strip and Judea and Samaria; A Gaza activist who criticized Hamas was killed; Hamas denied involvement in his death. Members of the Hamas ministry of the interior's Sahem Unit continued operations against "lawbreakers."; Israel, Judea, and Samaria: Two Israelis were injured in a vehicle attack at the al-Fawwar Junction. Israeli security forces continued counterterrorism activities in Judea and Samaria; Violent clashes broke out between PA security forces and gunmen in Jenin and the Jenin refugee camp. 
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The Mood in Gaza on the First Anniversary of the Gaza Strip War

A year after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and massacre, and the outbreak of the Gaza Strip War, the Gazans' euphoria has been replaced by despair over the heavy destruction, the displacement from homes and the high death toll; The main criticism on Palestinian social networks in Gaza focuses on the hardships of life amid the ongoing war, uncertainty about the future, hunger, high food prices and difficulties in finding shelter and food; Considerable criticism is also directed at Hamas, particularly its "external" leaders who do not live in Gaza and are perceived as disconnected from the growing suffering of the residents. Since the death of Yahya al-Sinwar, head of the Hamas political bureau in the Gaza Strip, who was seen as the "architect" of the October 7, 2023 attack, Khaled Mashal, head of the "external" Hamas leadership, has become the primary target of Gazan anger; In addition to the criticism on social media, feelings of despair and anger toward Hamas are reflected in public opinion polls, which show low support for the possibility of Hamas' continuing to rule Gaza after the war, as well as low approval for the October 7 attack and the continuation of "armed resistance" against Israel; Despite criticism and frustration, there has not yet been a broad public protest against Hamas in Gaza, most probably because of fear of retaliation, especially in light of Hamas efforts to maintain its power on the ground, including through the Interior Ministry's Sahem Unit, which theoretically operates against looters and disorderly conduct. Despite internal criticism of the leadership in Gaza, Israel is still perceived as the primary enemy and is described as "cruel and genocidal." 
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Spotlight on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (November 26 – December 3 , 2024)

The southern arena: IDF forces continued extensive operations in the Jebalya refugee camp and Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, as well as in central and southern Gaza. Two IDF soldiers were killed in northern Gaza; Senior Hamas figures expressed willingness to reach a ceasefire agreement in light of the agreement in Lebanon. According to reports, Hamas agreed to concessions in the negotiations, including a gradual withdrawal of IDF forces from the Gaza Strip; According to reports, Hamas and Fatah representatives met in Cairo and agreed to establish a "community support committee" to manage the Gaza Strip under the authority of the Palestinian Authority government; Gazans accused Hamas authorities of ignoring public suffering after two girls and a woman were killed in a heavy crowd during bread distribution; Nine Israelis were injured in a shooting attack on a bus near Ariel. The attacker was killed, and Hamas claimed responsibility. Israeli security forces continued counterterrorism operations in Judea and Samaria and attacked terrorist operatives from the air. Israeli security forces prevented Iran from smuggling a large quantity of "balance overturning" weapons to terrorist operatives in Jenin; Mahmoud Abbas, PA chairman, issued a declaration to the effect that in the event of his incapacity, the chairman of the Palestinian National Council would temporarily assume the role of PA "president" until elections were held.
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Hamas and Hezbollah Activities in Europe: Germany as a Test Case

In November 2024, charges filed in Germany against four suspects affiliated with Hamas for operating weapons depots for Hamas in Europe and planning attacks on Israeli, Jewish and Western targets in Germany. In July 2024, the German ministry of the interior ordered the closure of the Islamic Center in Hamburg after evidence was found that for years it had served the interests of Iran and Hezbollah in the country; Both cases provide evidence of the continued presence of Hamas and Hezbollah in Europe in general and Germany in particular, despite efforts by authorities to limit or prevent their activities, especially following the October 7, 2023 attack and massacre in Israel; Germany, like other European countries, has always walked a fine line between counterterrorism, its commitment to absorbing immigrants and the protection of human rights. That was why for years if did not designate Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations or outlaw outlawing them, allowing their organizations and charities to raise funds for terrorist activities which also targeted German; In 2020, Germany ended the EU's arbitrary separation between Hezbollah’s military wing and its so-called political wing, and designated Hezbollah a terrorist organization. A similar move against Hamas was taken only in November 2023, although the movement as a whole had been designated a terrorist organization by the EU since 2014; An October 2024 report issued by Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) warned that in addition to actions by individuals motivated by antisemitism, the escalation in the Middle East also posed a threat to Jewish and Israeli targets because of operational preparations by Iranian or Hezbollah proxies or by Hamas; In ITIC assessment, German law enforcement authorities will continue efforts to prevent Hamas and Hezbollah activities as part of a growing European effort to reduce the risk from Iranian proxies. However, the threat posed by Hamas and Hezbollah can be expected to remain high for Europe in general and for Germany in particular. The arrest of Hamas operatives and the exposure of weapons depots may indicate a change in the movement’s activities in Europe, which until now avoided carrying out attacks abroad and focused on fundraising and promoting its agenda within civilian social organizations. Hezbollah may also activate its network, which in all probability still exists in Germany, to attack Israeli and Jewish targets, either as revenge for the killing of Hassan Nasrallah and senior organization members or as part of a possible Iranian response to the Israeli strike on Iran in October 2024. Hamas and Hezbollah may also exploit the radicalization of Muslim immigrant communities in Europe, as demonstrated by the attack on Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam in November 2024, to construct a support base which would help them spread their anti-Israeli and antisemitic agenda and even carry out attacks.
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