The Israeli Palestinian Conflict

A day of tension following the death of a Palestinian prisoner in an Israeli jail

On May 2, 2023, the Israel Prison Service announced the death of administrative detainee Khader Adnan, who was found unconscious in his cell in the Nitzan prison facility before dawn. Attempts to revive him failed and he was pronounced dead at Asaf Harofeh Hospital. He had been on a hunger strike for 86 days and refused medical examinations or care. His death led to a day of tension in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip. Khader Adnan was a high-ranking Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) operative in northern Samaria. He was detained by the Israeli security forces on February 5, 2023 on suspicion of membership in a terrorist organization, support for terrorism and incitement. It was the 13th time he had been detained. As on previous occasions, he immediately began a hunger strike (Israeli media, May 2, 2023). An Israeli court rejected the Prison Service's request to force-feed him (Israeli media, May 2, 2023). The Palestinian arena condemned Israel and blamed it for his death. Threats were made that Israel would "pay for it" and the international community was called on to punish Israel. The Jerusalem Brigades (the PIJ's military-terrorist wing), put all its units on alert to prepare a response to his death and a PIJ political bureau delegation cancelled a planned trip abroad. A general strike was declared in the Palestinian Authority (PA) territories, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip and protests marches and rallies were held. On the social networks Palestinians posted calls for revenge and for clashes with IDF forces at the friction points. Following his death, on the morning of May 2, 2023, and throughout the next 24 hours, terrorists in the Gaza Strip fired more than 100 rockets and mortar shells at the Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip. The IDF responded by attacking terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip, which led to more rocket fire. Before dawn on May 3, 2023, a ceasefire was achieved. The responses to Khader Adnan's death were another illustration of the c Read more...

Spotlight on Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (April 24 – May 2, 2023)

This past week Palestinian terrorists carried out four attacks: a shooting attack near the settlement of Avnei Hefetz (southeast of Tulkarm), a combined stabbing and vehicular ramming attack at the Gitai Avishar Junction (northwest of Salfit), a vehicular ramming attack in Jerusalem and a shooting attack at a junction northeast of Ramallah. Israeli security forces continued counterterrorism activities, focusing on Jericho, Jenin and Hebron. Uday al-Azizi, commander of the Lion's Den network, and 11 operatives surrendered to the Palestinian Authority (PA) security services. On May 2, 2023, Khader Adnan, a high-ranking Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist operative who was on a hunger strike, died while in administrative detention. Consequently, about 25 rockets were fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip, the PIJ's military-terrorist wing in the Gaza Strip raised its level of alert and threatened revenge. A general strike was declared in the PA territories, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. The PA accused Israel of killing him and called for Israel to be prosecuted. The terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip continue developing and testing anti-aircraft weapons. Israel's intention to renew the targeted killings of terrorist organization leaders has prompted threats of attacks on more than one front. Hamas' military-terrorist wing, concern about the welfare of the donors, announced it would no longer accepts bitcoin donations. The PA's foreign minister participated in a Security Council session devoted to the Middle East and attended by foreign ministers. Mahmoud Abbas hosted the children of shaheeds in Ramallah. Read more...

Incitement and encouragement for terrorist attacks in Hamas TV shows during Ramadan

The Palestinian terrorist organizations, especially Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), produce their own television series for Ramadan, competing for attention. The audiences have a wide range of online outlets to choose from, and tend to watch programs offering entertainment, dramas and comedies produced and disseminated by media giants in Turkey, Egypt and the Persian Gulf countries. During the past few years Hamas and the PIJ have made efforts to improve the quality of the programs they produce and raise their ratings. One of their methods is to link them to local current events, especially the "heroic achievements" of the armed "resistance" [terrorist attacks] in the "struggle" against Israel. Hamas' media department series for Ramadan 2023, called "The path of sacrifice," was devoted to Palestinian terrorist operatives who carried out attacks. Their objective was to ramp up anti-Israeli incitement and encourage terrorist attacks in Judea, Samaria, Jerusalem and inside Israel. Following Hamas policy, the incitement was aimed not only at its own operatives but at the operatives of all the armed terrorist organizations, as well as Palestinians who have no organizational affiliation and on their own initiative attack with simple, easily available weapons, such as knives and vehicles. The series' emphasis was on terrorist attacks in Judea, Samaria, Jerusalem and inside Israel without reference to terrorism from the Gaza Strip. Read more...

Spotlight on Iran (April 13-27, 2023)

תקציר World Jerusalem Day rallies exploited by the Iranian leadership to express Iran's continuing support for the Palestinians. The Iranian supreme leader praised the Palestinian "resistance" to Israel and declared that the "Zionist regime" would become weaker as the "resistance" became stronger. The Iranian foreign minister held a telephone call with the secretary-general of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and with the chairman of Hamas' political bureau to assure them of Iran's support for the Palestinians. The president of Iran spoke with chairman of the Yemeni Houthi's supreme political council and invited him to visit Tehran. Read more...

Spotlight on Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (April 19-23, 2023)

During the past five days Palestinians carried out one terrorist attack. No casualties were reported but the bus was damaged. The Israeli security forces continued intensive counterterrorism activities in Judea and Samaria, focusing on Nablus and Jenin The number of rock- and Molotov cocktail-throwing attacks decreased significantly. About 120,000 worshippers participated in the morning holiday prayer on the Temple Mount. Then they chanted slogans in support of Hamas and the "resistance". The Gaza Strip remained relatively calm. Mahmoud Abbas paid a visit to Saudi Arabia, where he met with Crown Prince A Hamas delegation visited Saudi Arabia at the same time. Apparently the delegation did not meet with representatives of the Saudi Arabian government. Read more...

World Jerusalem Day: again a platform for incitement, threats, and the defamation and demonizing of Israel and the United States

This year's Jerusalem Day events took place against the background of the extreme tension in Jerusalem, especially on the Temple Mount, the anti-Israeli incitement and provocation and in the shadow of a series of major terrorist attacks. At several events speakers gave militant speeches threatening Israel. The main events were held in Iran. Similar events were held in Lebanon. In the Gaza Strip the main rally was held in Gaza City, and in Judea and Samaria a rally was held in the Jenin refugee camp. Events were also held in Yemen, Pakistan, Bahrain, Iraq, Turkey, South Africa, London and New York. Unlike previous years and despite the threats against Israel, the events were not exploited for a display of Iranian, Hezbollah or Palestinian terrorist organization military force and there were no parades of ballistic missiles or other weapons, as had been customary in Iran Read more...

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