The Israeli Palestinian Conflict

Spotlight on Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (July 12-18, 2023)

This past week Palestinians carried out two shooting attacks injuring a civilian and his two daughters. A Palestinian who infiltrated the settlement of Asaël (south of Hebron) was apprehended by the settlement's security personnel.The Gaza Strip remained relatively quiet. The regional heat wave led to an increase in the consumption of electricity, forcing the Hamas-controlled electric company to limit the amount of service it could provide. Isma'il Haniyeh, head of Hamas' political bureau, visited Istanbul. PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas paid a short visit to Jenin and the Jenin refugee camp, his first visit since 2012. PA Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh again blamed American President Biden and the United States administration for taking a neutral stand in the face of Israel's activities and not promoting a solution for the Palestinian issue.
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Spotlight on Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (July 5 – 11, 2023)

This past week Palestinians carried out five attacks an IDF fighter was killed; The al-Ayash Battalion in Jenin, apparently affiliated with Hamas, claimed responsibility for firing two rockets . Five rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip at the Israeli communities near the border about an hour before the last IDF forces left Jenin. In response the Israeli Air Force attacked two Hamas terrorist targets. Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) launched summer camps for thousands of Gazan children and teenagers. A Freedom Flotilla Coalition boat, currently sailing between European ports, may try to reach the Gaza Strip. Following the IDF activity in Jenin, the Palestinian Authority (PA) is working to repair the damages and restore governance.
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Israeli Security Force Operation in Jenin and the Jenin Refugee Camp Review and Summary

Shortly before 2 a.m. on July 5, 2023, the Israeli security force operation in Jenin and the Jenin refugee camp ended; it had lasted for 48 hours and led to the destruction of about one thousand IEDs, the exposure and destruction of dozens of sites for the manufacture of weapons, underground shafts, and command and operation rooms. In addition, hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of shekels used to fund terrorist activities were seized. An IDF fighter was killed as the forces left the area. Three "revenge attacks" were carried out during the activity: a combined vehicular ramming and stabbing in Tel Aviv, a stabbing in Bnei Brak and a shooting at the settlement of Avnei Hefetz (southeast of Tulkarm). Five rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip at the Israeli communities near the border as the activity wound down. In response to the rocket attack, Israeli Air Force aircraft attacked two Hamas terrorist targets in Gaza.
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Spotlight on Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (June 28 – July 4, 2023)

This past week there were two terrorist attacks: a stabbing in Bnei Brak and a shooting at the settlement of Avnei Hefetz (southeast of Tulkarm). An attempted stabbing was prevented at the Shuafat Crossing (north of Jerusalem). On July 3, 2023, the Israeli security forces initiated a broad counterterrorism activity in Jenin and its refugee camp. The ministry of health in Ramallah reported ten Palestinians killed and 100 wounded. The IDF spokesman reported that nine of the ten Palestinians killed were involved in terrorist activities. Despite the activity in Jenin, the routine entrance of Palestinian workers into Israel from the Jenin and other Palestinian Authority (PA) areas continues. About 100,000 Muslims went to al-Aqsa mosque for the Eid al-Adha prayer. Hamas hung signs on the Temple Mount with pictures of the terrorists who shot and killed four Israeli civilians near the settlement of Eli; the police removed the signs. The Gaza Strip remains relatively quiet. Hamas exploited the Eid al-Adha holiday for three displays of various weapons held by its military-terrorist wing.
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Hamas operatives seek to prosecute Israel in the International Criminal Court in the Hague.

Israel was being sued in the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for a giant suit of $250 billion by a group of European lawyers. They represent eight members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) in the Gaza Strip who initiated the suit for damages resulting from the alleged "crimes" Israel committed against the residents of Gaza beginning in 2007, especially the damages caused by the "siege" they claim is imposed by Israel. The suit was submitted with the aid of two international organizations. The Palestinians refer to anti-Israeli lawfare and their many appeals to the ICC as a form of "resistance" and one of the tools in their "struggle" against Israel. The PLC members claimed the suit was being submitted on behalf of the Palestinian people, but in reality it is being submitted on behalf of Hamas.
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Israeli Security Force Activity in Jenin and Initial Reactions As of 1 p.m., July 3, 2023

At approximately 1 a.m. on July 3, 2023, Israeli security forces began a military activity in Jenin and the Jenin refugee camp. It started with aerial attacks on terrorist targets, including the joint operations room used by the military-terrorist wings of the Palestinian terrorist organizations in the Jenin refugee camp as a base for terrorist activities and attacks. During the aerial attacks a large ground force entered the city accompanied by engineering vehicles. The Jerusalem Brigades', the military-terrorist wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) declared the Palestinian name for the activity would be "Jenin's great might." They called on Palestinians in all the cities, villages and refugee camps, especially those near Jenin, to clash with the Israeli security forces and support Jenin and its fighters in all the arenas. It is the most extensive activity carried out by Israeli security forces in the Jenin region since Operation Defensive Shield during the second intifada in 2002. As of 1 p.m. the ministry of health in Ramallah reported eight Palestinian fatalities and 50 wounded. Several dozen Palestinians were detained by Israeli security forces on suspicion of involvement in terrorist activity.
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