Weekly Updates

This past week the Gaza Strip, Judea and Samaria were relatively quiet. The Palestinians are apparently devoting most of their attention to fighting the coronavirus. Politically, the intensity of the Palestinian campaign against Israel's intention to annex territories has weakened, probably because of the Palestinian focus on the COVID-19 crisis. Read more...

There was an increase in tension on Israel's southern border this past week when three rockets were launched at Israel from the Gaza Strip. Protests against Israel's intention to annex parts of Judea and Samaria continued, culminating in a "day of rage" in Gaza and demonstrations (not attended as well as expected) in Judea and Samaria. Jibril Rajoub, secretary of Fatah's Executive Committee, and Saleh al-'Arouri, deputy head of Hamas' political bureau, held an exceptional (virtual) joint press conference. In the meantime, most of the PA's attention and efforts are focused on dealing with the spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in Judea and Samaria. Read more...

The situation in the Gaza Strip, Judea and Samaria heated up this past week. Two rockets were launched at Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip. In Judea and Samaria the number active COVID-19 cases continues to spike, and reached 1,924 (as of June 30, 2020), most of them in the Hebron district. As July 1 approaches, the date on which Israeli law will be imposed on parts of Judea and Samaria, the volume of threats from Hamas and the other terrorist organizations is increasing. In the Gaza Strip preparations are being made for "popular activities" as part of a "day of rage" on July 1, 2020. The Palestinian Authority (PA) continues its diplomatic activity in the international arena to deter Israel from implementing its annexation intentions. Read more...