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The UN General Assembly Votes to Give the Palestinian Authority Additional Rights

On May 10, 2024, the UN General Assembly, with a majority vote of 143 countries, approved a resolution to grant the Palestinian Authority (PA) additional rights in the UN. It also allowed the PA to resubmit its request to the Security Council for full UN membership. The significance of the vote is that the representatives of the PA. The vote was a precedent-setting, controversial move, as it is not clear whether the General Assembly has the authority to grant the PA, defined as an observer, the rights of a full UN member state, as only the Security Council has that authority. Without a doubt, the vote in the General Assembly was a significant political achievement for the PA. Winning a majority vote in the General Assembly, with countries such as France voting in favor, indicated the broad consensus that currently exists around the globe for the recognition of the "State of Palestine." The step may also promote bilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, including by EU member states. It also challenges United States policy towards the Palestinian issue, after an attempt was made to bypass the American veto of the proposed resolution in the Security Council and the possibility that the issue would be deliberated again by the Security Council.
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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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Support for Hamas in Belgium and the Netherlands since the Outbreak of the Swords of Iron War

Since the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, and the beginning of the Swords of Iron War, pro-Palestinian demonstrations against Israel have been held in Belgium and the Netherlands, like in many European Union (EU) countries, calling for a ceasefire and ending support for Israel alongside anti-Israeli slogans such as “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. The demonstrations in Belgium and the Netherlands are organized in cooperation between local Palestinian communities and solidarity organizations based on far-left organizations, anti-government organizations, student organizations, anarchist movements, and even political parties. Organizations and activists taking part in the protest have expressed support for the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and massacre and later for the Palestinian armed resistance, accusing Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip. The prominent presence of large Muslim communities in Belgium and the Netherlands contributes to the strengthening of pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli attitudes among the public in both countries.
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Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., March 14, 2024)

IDF activities intensified in the Hamad neighborhood in northwestern Khan Yunis, a focal point of terrorist attacks. The Gazans reported that IDF forces had left the neighborhood. Clashes with armed terrorist squads continued in the central Gaza Strip. On March 13, 2024, two suspicious figures in diving gear were detected approaching Zikim Beach from the northern shore of the Gaza Strip. Israel Navy forces shot at them. Various sources reported a new proposal for a hostage deal was being strongly promoted by the Americans. Hamas claimed they were prepared to respond to any serious offer for an agreement, however, it is not known when the Hamas delegation will return to the talks in Cairo. The fighting notwithstanding, the IDF is preparing for the arrival of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip by sea and land. In addition, international contacts are being held regarding the regulation of the transfer of humanitarian aid and its possible expansion. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for six attacks. The IDF responded with airstrikes and artillery fire at Hezbollah targets in south Lebanon. Hezbollah secretary general, gave a speech for Ramadan praising the ["resistance's"] fighting in the Gaza Strip and promised continued support from Hezbollah. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq reported it had attacked the Palmachim base in Israel. In reality the event did not occur. "Iranian sources" denied reports of indirect contacts between the United States and Iran regarding the activities of the Houthis in the Red Sea.
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Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., March 13, 2024)

IDF forces continued operating in the neighborhoods of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, and in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. Given the stalemated negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage deal, international parties have made different suggestions to promote a deal in the immediate future. According to reports, the Hamas delegation will soon leave for another round of talks in Cairo. Senior Hamas members stated that despite the offers they received, they adhered to their demands. The United States Army's Central Command announced the departure of four vessels to the Middle East carrying equipment and supplies to establish a temporary pier in the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for 11 attacks. An operative in Hamas' military-terrorist wing Lebanon was eliminated in an aerial attack near Tyre. A 15 year-old boy carried out a stabbing attack at the Tunnel Checkpoint, wounding two security personnel. A stabbing attack was attempted in the settlement of Givat Ronen south of Nablus. Mahmoud Abbas has chosen Muhammad Mustafa to serve as the PA's next prime minister.. A source in the Iraqi resistance" said they would continue their military operations during Ramadan. The Houthis launched a ballistic missile at an American destroyer in the Red Sea.
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Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., March 12, 2024)

The IDF forces continued their activity in the southern Gaza Strip, mainly in the Hamad neighborhood in the northwest of Khan Yunis and in the neighborhoods to the east of the city. In the central and northern Gaza Strip, the forces took action mainly against armed operatives and rocket launchers. Hamas officials reported that no progress had been made and blamed Israel for causing attempts to reach an agreement before Ramadan to fail. Arab sources stated that the pier under construction for the delivery humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip was insufficient and that aid should also be brought in in additional ways. Senior sources in the Gaza Strip claimed the issue of the pier "was suspicious" and there were problems that had to be solved before its operation. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for eight attacks during the past day. On the night of March 11, 2024, Israeli Air Force fighter jets attacked two Hezbollah aerial force compounds in the Beqa'a region. In response, Hezbollah launched about 70 rockets at Israel. Israeli security forces killed a terrorist operative in the village of Zeita near Tulkarm, who was en route to carry out a suicide bombing attack in Tel Aviv. A rifle and an IED prepared for detonation were found in his possession. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed its operatives had launched a UAV at Ben Gurion Airport; the launch was videoed and distributed by the "resistance." The Houthis reported attacking another ship in the Red Sea. The Security Council convened to discuss the sexual assaults during the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack and massacre, following the report written by the UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict.A cell of three Palestinians was detained, apparently with connections to the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades in Judea and Samaria, which planned to carry out terrorist attacks. One of the detainees is wanted by Israel.
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