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The Israeli Palestinian Conflict

Spotlight on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (April 2-9, 2024)

On April 7, 2024, IDF forces left the combat zone in Khan Yunis. Several rockets were launched at the cities, towns and villages surrounding the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) claimed responsibility for most of the attacks. The Palestinian media continued to follow and quote statements from the Israeli prime minister and government officials about a possible IDF activity in Rafah. Another round of talks was held in Cairo. Despite optimistic forecasts, Hamas stated that they were examining the proposal formulated during the talks, which they claimed did not meet their demands. The Palestinians continue to complain about the rate of humanitarian aid deliveries for the Gazans. This past week there were four terrorist attacks. The security forces exposed a terrorist squad planning to kill the Israeli minister of national security and attack national institutions. The Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces exposed a squad of ISIS terrorists planning to carry out attacks. The PA continues to press its suit for full membership in the UN, and the Security Council passed the request to the relevant committee. Muhammad Mustafa, prime minister of the new Palestinian government, held his first government meeting, as well as a round of meetings with regional leaders. It is possible that Mustafa and Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary of the PLO's Executive Committee, will pay a visit during the second half of April 2024.
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Organizing Aid Flotillas to the Gaza Strip and international arenas

Since the beginning of the Gaza Strip War, initiatives have been undertaken around the globe to organize boats and ships to bring aid to the Gaza Strip, leading to the establishment of the International Campaign to Save Gaza (ICSG), which was announced on November 23, 2023 during a conference held in Istanbul.. Recently the organization, behind which is the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), announced it would launch a ship from Libya to El Arish in the near future, and would launch another ship from Lebanon. Zaher Birawi, the ICSG chairman, announced the launch of a flotilla to "break the blockade of the Gaza Strip," most likely four ships from European countries. The Turkish IHH announced it had purchased several ships for the flotilla, which is expected to set sail in mid-April. In addition to sending humanitarian the flotilla organizers intend to turn them into anti-Israeli media campaigns. The arrival of aid ships, especially those with "activists" from around the world, could challenge the Israeli Navy. There is also a concern that aid arriving by sea will enter Gaza without Israeli supervision and the ships will be used to smuggle weapons. Should the ships also be carrying people with political influence and media personnel, they could complicate world public opinion for Israel. In the past Zaher Birawi stated that the main purpose of the flotillas was to raise awareness and discredit Israel, and to publicize the political and media campaigns accompanying the flotillas.
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Spotlight on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (March 26 – April 2, 2024)

The activities of IDF forces in the Gaza Strip focused on three locations: Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where the activity ended on April 1, 2024. Hundreds of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist operatives were detained, including senior operatives, about 200 terrorists were killed and large quantities of weapons were seized. The central Gaza Strip, where the IDF attacked Hamas checkpoints and surveillance centers. The Khan Yunis area, where the forces operated in the al-Amal neighborhood and the village of al-Qarara. Talks for a hostage deal in Cairo continued without a breakthrough. The introduction of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip continues. Reportedly, Hamas has changed the nature of its combat and transitioned to limited attacks to preserve its forces and capabilities for "the day after There were three terrorist attacks. The Israeli security forces carried out counterterrorism activities in the Jenin and Tulkarm (Nur Shams) refugee camps.. The prayer on the third Friday of Ramadan on the Temple Mount passed with relative calm. According to reports, 125,000 worshipers came to pray . The new Palestinian government was sworn in. The Palestinian Authority called on the United States to change its policy towards the Palestinians.
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The Palestinian perspective on alternatives for managing the Gaza Strip “the day after”

The Gaza Strip is currently preoccupied with ways to deliver humanitarian aid to local residents, while the Palestinian and Arab media are preoccupied with the issue of "the day after" in the Gaza Strip, and several possibilities have been mentioned. The Palestinian Authority (PA) regards itself as the Gaza Strip's best administrator. It views the war in the Gaza Strip as a window of opportunity for regaining control of the Strip, and as another step towards establishing an independent Palestinian state. To further the goal, the PA's governing institutions are being reorganized. Hamas regards itself as being central to the administration of the Strip even "the day after." The Hamas leadership claims the solution will be internal and Palestinian and voices strong opposition to international intervention and the talk about establishing a national consensus government and integrating Hamas into the PLO. The idea of turning the Gaza Strip over to the heads of the clans and large families was first raised by Israel. The heads of the clans proved themselves to be a force in the Gaza Strip and successfully transferred part of the humanitarian aid. However, a significant number of clans are affiliated with Hamas and other terrorist groups. Muhammad Dahlan, the ousted senior Fatah figure, who currently resides in Abu Dhabi, regards the situation as an opportunity to return to political activity and formulate a plan for the reconstruction of the Strip, and to that end could mobilize Arab capital and the security of Arab forces. Other possibilities: Such as the establishment of an interim regime, led by the United States and with the participation of regional countries which will rule the Strip for several years until power is handed over to the PA. There is also the possibility of deploying an Arab peacekeeping force after the withdrawal of the IDF forces, which does not rule out the participation of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) representatives in the governing body. At the moment there is no solution agreed upon by everyone and all the proposals have shortcomings. In any solution "for the day after," Hamas, which is popular with the majority of the Gazans, will not disappear, and will work to influence events and become a part of any future administration.
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Spotlight on Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (March 19-26, 2024)

IDF forces continued operating in the Gaza Strip in Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, In the central Gaza Strip. The forces also operated in the Khan Yunis region, west of the city and in the Qarara area. Despite Israeli flexibility regarding the Palestinian prisoners and the return of the displaced persons to the northern Gaza Strip, Hamas announced its rejection of the latest United States offer. As a result, Israel announced that the Israeli delegation in Qatar would return to Israel. Hamas and the PIJ claim that so far there have been no "positive responses" from Israel and that Israel's answer does not meet their demands. The UN Security Council has passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages Operations to introduce humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip continue. The prayer of the second Friday of Ramadan on the Temple Mount was relatively quiet. Reportedly, 120 thousand worshipers came to pray.Four terrorist attacks were carried out this past week. An IDF soldier was killed in an attack at the Parsa Junction (west of Ramallah). PA figures continue their activities to end the war in the Gaza Strip. Mahmoud Abbas again accused Israel of stealing Palestinian water sources and not bringing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. A public opinion poll indicated a strengthening of trust in Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
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Expansion of Houthi Activities in the Red Sea

During the past two months the activities of the Houthis in Yemen have expanded. They have continued attacking targets they define as "Israeli" or "supporting Israel," mainly vessels sailing in the Red Sea on sea lanes passing through Israel, and have declared their intention to expand their attacks to the Indian Ocean and the sea route around the southern tip of Africa. Meanwhile, they have attacked American and British warships, as well as ships belonging to European Union countries which joined the campaign against the Houthi threat, all of which they claim help Israel and all of which attack Houthi forces in Yemeni territory.Three missiles were launched at Israel, one of which entered Israel's airspace and exploded in its territory, without damage or casualties, the first time for such an occurrence. Nevertheless, there has recently been a noticeable decline in the number of missiles and UAVs launched at Israeli territory compared to the beginning of the war. In ITIC assessment, the conflict in the Red Sea area will continue as long as the war in the Gaza Strip continues, and may escalate if the Houthis do in fact make good on their threat to attack ships in the Indian Ocean and thereby endanger the Asia's entire maritime trade with the West.
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