The Palestinian Authority (PA)

Spotlight on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (January 7 – 14, 2025)

IDF forces continued extensive operations in the northern, central and southern Gaza Strip. They eliminated dozens of terrorists from the air and on the ground and destroyed terror facilities. According to reports, Hamas operatives were using tunnels in northern Gaza and had restored communication systems. Twelve IDF soldiers were killed in the fighting in the northern Gaza Strip; A breakthrough was reported in the indirect negotiations in Qatar, and final responses from Israel and Hamas regarding the first stage of the agreement are pending. Senior Hamas figures discussed the negotiations with the Emir of Qatar and the head of Turkish intelligence; A senior Hamas figure said they had agreed to establish a support committee to administer the Gaza Strip based on technocrats, and claimed the movement did not seek to control the Strip. According to reports, the Palestinian Authority (PA) informed Egypt of its opposition to the idea of the support committee; A new "popular" movement was announced in the Gaza Strip, accusing Hamas of not representing the public and intimidating local residents; According to reports, internal elections to choose the new head of the political bureau to replace Yahya Sinwar will take place in March 2025; Israeli security forces continued counterterrorism operations in Judea and Samaria. Two terrorists en route to carry out an attack were detained; The PA security forces continued their operations against armed terrorists in the Jenin refugee camp. Seventeen booby-trapped vehicles and more than 240 explosive devices were neutralized. Hamas condemned the PA's actions and called on the public to stop them.
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Spotlight on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (December 31, 2024 – January 7, 2025)

IDF forces continued operating in the northern, central and southern Gaza Strip. They eliminated dozens of terrorists, including the Hamas chief of police, and destroyed terrorist tunnels and facilities. Rocket fire targeting Sderot and the Gaza border communities continued. Two officers and one IDF soldier were killed in the fighting in the northern Gaza Strip; Talks continued in Egypt and Qatar in an attempt to reach an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of the hostages. In the assessment of senior Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) figures, the chances for an agreement have increased, but both movements continue to accuse Israel of imposing new conditions; Hamas expressed its willingness to implement agreements with other Palestinian "factions," including the establishment of a community support committee for the temporary management of the Gaza Strip. Fatah reiterated its position that the committee would cause a split between the Gaza Strip and Judea and Samaria; Israel, Judea and Samaria: This past week Palestinian terrorists carried out two attacks, killing three Israelis. Israeli security forces continued counterterrorist operations in Judea and Samaria; two IDF soldiers were injured; The Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces continued their operation against "gunmen" in the Jenin refugee camp. The PA announced the suspension of al-Jazeera's operations in Judea and Samaria.
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Spotlight on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (December 24 – 31, 2024)

IDF forces continued extensive operations in the northern, central and southern Gaza Strip, eliminating dozens of terrorists and detaining hundreds more during operations at the hospital in Beit Lahia. Palestinian terrorists fired rockets from the Gaza Strip at Jerusalem. Two IDF officers and two soldiers were killed in the fighting; Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) figures continued to accuse Israel of making demands which complicate the completion of the negotiations on a ceasefire and exchange of "prisoners"; A senior journalist affiliated with Hamas' military wing accused the movement of being complicit in a nakba in northern Gaza; The PIJ deputy secretary general accused the Mahmoud Abbas, PA chairman, of rejecting proposals for managing the Gaza Strip after the war;  Israel, Judea and Samaria: An Israeli civilian was stabbed to death by a Palestinian in Herzliya. Israeli security forces continued counterterrorism operations in Judea and Samaria; PA security forces continued their operations against armed terrorists in the Jenin refugee camp. Three members of the security forces were killed, and several civilians, including a journalist, reportedly died. The spokesperson for the security forces accused Hamas of incitement and compared the movement to ISIS.
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Summary of Terrorist Events, November 2024

During November 2024, fighting continued in the Gaza Strip, Judea and Samaria, and south Lebanon, as did attacks on Israel from pro-Iranian militias in Iraq and Yemen. On November 27 a ceasefire in the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect; Lebanon: The fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continued until the ceasefire went effect. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for 682 attacks on IDF forces maneuvering in south Lebanon and on military, security and civilian targets in Israel, extending as far as the Greater Tel Aviv area, compared to 806 attacks in the previous month. Hezbollah continued to conceal the names of senior figures and operatives killed, announcing only the deaths of the organization's spokesperson, Muhammad Afif, and four members of its media network; The Gaza Strip: Eleven rockets were launched at Israeli territory, compared to 28 rockets in the previous month. Targeted killings of senior and prominent terrorist operatives in Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) continued; Israel, Judea and Samaria: Four terrorist attacks were carried out in Judea and Samaria, with no fatalities, compared to nine attacks the previous month. Israeli security forces continued counterterrorism operations, focusing on northern Samaria. Terror operatives were eliminated in exchanges of fire and airstrikes, including commanders of terrorist organizations. A large shipment of Iranian weapons destined for terrorist operatives in Judea and Samaria was intercepted; Shi'ite militias: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq issued 69 claims of responsibility for attacks on 55 targets in Israeli territory, compared to 72 claims for 76 attacks the previous month. The Saraya Awliyaa al-Dam militia issued seven claims of responsibility for attacks on 11 targets in Israel, compared to 17 claims the previous month. On November 24 the militias ceased issuing claims of responsibility because of pressure from the Iraqi government and fear of an Israeli strike. Most of the launches by Iraqi militias lacked actual verification; some were intercepted, and others landed in Israeli territory without causing casualties. The Houthis claimed responsibility for five attacks on Israeli targets, compared to eight the previous month; Terrorist attacks on Israelis abroad: A Chabad emissary in the UAE was kidnapped and murdered. Three suspects, citizens of Uzbekistan, were arrested. 
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Spotlight on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (December 10 – 17, 2024)

IDF forces continued operating in the northern, central and southern Gaza Strip, and eliminated terrorist operatives hiding in civilian buildings. An IDF officer and soldier were killed in the southern Gaza Strip; Contacts continued in an effort to formulate an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages. Hamas claimed they had agreed to significant concessions, including demands for a complete cessation of the war and the full withdrawal of IDF forces; Fatah and Hamas exchanged accusations over the deadlock in the establishment of a committee to manage the Gaza Strip after the war; Israel, Judea and Samaria: This past week Palestinian terrorists carried out three attacks; an Israeli teenager was killed. Israeli security forces continued counterterrorism operations in Judea and Samaria. The Palestinian Authority's security forces continued operations against armed terrorists in the Jenin refugee camp. According to claims, the terrorists had pledged allegiance to Iran.
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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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