The Israeli Palestinian Conflict

News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (March 23 – April 6, 2021)

Coronavirus: In the Gaza Strip the number of active cases spiked significantly this past week, and a lockdown is being considered. In Judea and Samaria there was a significant decrease in coronavirus infection, although hospital occupancy is still high. Terrorist attacks: On March 23, 2021 (election day in Israel) a medium-range rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip at Beersheba, the largest city in Israel's south. The PA: Election preparations continue. The slates of the contending factions for the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) have been closed. PA budget, 2021: The PA announced it will continue paying prisoners and released prisoners, transferring the funds through post office bank branches in Judea and Samaria and through the department of prisoners and released prisoners' affairs in the Gaza Strip.
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News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (March 17 – 22, 2021)

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

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.
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Interviewed by Palestinian TV, Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki revealed the Palestinians’ relations with the office of the International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor and their plans for the future

Two interviews given by senior Palestinian figures shed more light on the special relationship between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Fatou Bensouda, the International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor, on the active preparations the Palestinians are making with the chief prosecutor to advance the investigation, on their enthusiasm for the historic dimensions of the decision and on how they relate to the role of the Americans in the campaign against Israel, including the possibility of bringing American entities which support Israel to trial.
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News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (March 3 –9, 2021)

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.
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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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