- This past week Palestinians carried out seven terrorist attacks in Judea and Samaria, killing three Israeli civilians: one was killed in a shooting attack near Jericho; two were killed in a shooting attack in Hawwara (south of Nablus). There was a shooting attack south of Nablus, no Israeli casualties were reported, three shooting attacks targeted DF posts, and there was an attempted stabbing attack at the entrance to Ma’aleh Adumim. Fourteen Israelis have been killed since the beginning of the year.
- Following the shooting attack in Hawwara, Israeli settlers entered the town and burned Palestinian houses, public property and vehicles. Palestinians sources strongly condemned the events and called for international intervention. Israeli security force activities in Nablus led to the deaths of 11 Palestinians, six of them Lion’s Den network terrorist operatives. The heightened tension resulted in an increase in the number of rocks and Molotov cocktails thrown at Israeli vehicles.
- In response to the security force activities in Nablus six rockets were launched at Israel from the Gaza Strip. Five were intercepted by Iron Dome aerial defense system and one fell in an open area. In response Israeli Air Force aircraft attacked Hamas terrorist targets. The increase in tension in Judea and Samaria led Gazans to burn tires near the border security fence. Tor Wennesland, special UN envoy to the Middle East peace process, paid a visit to the Gaza Strip and met with Hamas leader Rawhi Mushtaha in an attempt to prevent further escalation.
- On February 26, 2023, a political-security summit meeting was held by representatives from Egypt, Jordan, the United States, Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) in an effort to calm the situation. The Palestinian delegation was headed by Hussein al-Sheikh, who is responsible for coordination with Israel, and Majdi Faraj, head of Palestinian general intelligence. The Palestinian organizations condemned the PA’s participation in the meeting, claiming it was compliance with the Israeli and American dictates. According to the announcement issued after the meeting, Israel promised to stop constructing new houses in the settlements for four months and to stop giving permits for new settlements for six months. Another meeting is supposed to be held before Ramadan.
- PA Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh continued meetings with foreign representatives to promote pressure on and “punishment” of Israel.
Shooting attack near Nablus
- On the night of February 27, 2023, a drive-by Palestinian shooting targeted an Israel vehicle (with a family of five in it) near Qusra (southeast of Nablus). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged. Israeli security forces searched the area (IDF spokesman’s Twitter account, February 27, 2023).

Bullet holes in the vehicle (Rescue Without Borders in Judea and Samaria, February 27, 2023).
- On the evening of February 27, 2023, a drive-by Palestinian shooting targeted an Israeli vehicle at the Nevo Junction, near Jericho, north of the Dead Sea. An Israeli-American citizen was mortally wounded and died soon after the attack. The initial investigation carried out indicated the terrorists continued driving south towards the Beit HaArava Junction, where they shot at another Israeli vehicle. They continued driving west and shot at a third vehicle; no additional Israeli casualties were reported. They then torched the vehicle they used. Israeli police arriving at the scene shot at them. The terrorists returned fire and escaped. IDF and Israeli police force erected roadblocks and check posts and are still searching the area for the terrorists (IDF spokesman, February 27, 2023).

Right: The scene of the attack where the Israeli-American was killed (QudsN Twitter account, February 27, 2023). Left: The hole in the windshield left by the gunshot that killed the victim (Rescue Without Borders in Judea and Samaria, February 27, 2023).
- When news of the attack spread, candy and pastries were distributed to passersby in Nablus. The Palestinian news websites posted a cartoon celebrating the attack with the caption, “Jericho…the revolution goes on from here” (alkhamsa lilnaba website, February 27, 2023.

Right: Celebrating the killing with baklava in Nablus. Left: Palestinian cartoon, “Jericho…the revolution goes on from here” (alkhamsa lilnaba website, February 27, 2023).
- Palestinian terrorist organization spokesmen in the Gaza Strip rushed to praise the attack. Hamas spokesman Abd al-Latif al-Qanua said the attack in Jericho was a response to the “crimes” of Israel and the settlers, the most recent of which was the “barbaric aggression” in Hawwara. He said Hamas saluted the “resistance heroes” [terrorists] and the Lion’s Den network, which carry out “heroic activities” against soldiers and settlers (Shehab, February 27, 2023). The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) welcomed the “resistance” activity [terrorist attacks] in Jericho and praised the “brave act” and the ongoing activities, claiming Israel would pay the price for all its “crimes.” The PIJ also warned that if Israel’s “aggression” continued it would lead to more “resistance” activities [terrorism] which were liable to reach “deep into Zionist territory” [inside Israel] (Paltoday, February 27, 2023).
Shooting attack in Hawwara
- On the afternoon of February 26, 2023, Palestinians carried out a shooting attack in Hawwara (south of Nablus). A Palestinian armed with a handgun blocked an Israeli vehicle, approached, shot the driver and passenger and fled. He killed two Israeli brothers, 20 and 21 years old, who were going from their home in Har Bracha to the yeshivas where they studied. Twelve empty shell casings were collected the site of the attack. The Israeli security forces are pursuing the Palestinian, whose identity is known. So far it is not known whether he is hiding in Hawwara or Nablus (Israeli media, February 26, 2023).

The scene of the shooting in Hawwara (Shehab Twitter account, February 26, 2023).
- The attack was celebrated on the Palestinian social networks, which glorified the terrorist who carried it out. Throughout Judea and Samaria candy and pastries were distributed to passersby, as is the custom when Israelis are killed in terrorist attacks. Many Palestinian spokesmen praised the attack and linked it to the summit meeting in Aqaba, which was being held at the time. Some of the reactions were the following:
- Deputy Fatah chairman Mahmoud al-‘Aloul claimed that as Israel’s “crimes” continued the response to them would be the bullets that “defended” [sic] the Palestinians’ rights. He said the “wound” of Nablus had not yet become cold, and anyone who saw the “crimes” of Benjamin Netanyahu’s extremist government understood that the “reaction was natural.” He added that the events in Aqaba (see below) were not connected to the activity on the ground, which was carried out by young Palestinians “struggling” in Nablus and other locations (alkhamsa lilnaba website, February 26, 2023).
- Hamas praised the attack which it claimed, as usual, was “a natural reaction to the crimes of the occupation,” the most recent of which was the “slaughter” in Nablus. Hamas praised the attacker and the Palestinians in Nablus, and called on “resistance” fighters [terrorists] to continue attacking the Israeli security forces and settlers to avenge the blood of the shaheeds (Hamas website, February 26, 2023). Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem also claimed that the shooting attack in Hawwara was “a natural reaction to Israel’s crimes” and said the “resistance” [Palestinian terrorism] would continue and escalate, and no program or plan or summit meeting could stop it (Hazem Qassem’s Twitter account, February 26, 2023).
- Tareq Izz al-Din, PIJ spokesman for Judea and Samaria, welcomed the attack, calling it the initial reaction to the killing of Nablus Battalion commander Muhammad Abd Bakr Juneidi, Husam Aslim and the “resistance” shaheeds, and a reaction to the “crimes of the occupation.” He claimed the attack showed that the “resistance,” the battalions and the military [terrorist] networks in Judea and Samaria made the decisions and determined the Palestinians’ fate (Daffa_media Telegram channel, February 26, 2023).

Right: Children in Nablus receive candy to celebrate the attack (Palestine Post Twitter account, February 26, 2023). Left: Baklava distributed in Nablus. The sign reads “Blood in return for blood” (Nablus al-Hadath Telegram channel, February 26, 2023).

Palestinian cartoons celebrating the attack carried out during the summit meeting in Aqaba (Right: Hussein Daqout’s Facebook page; left: Alaa’ al-Laqta’s Facebook page, February 26, 2023).
Shooting attack in Havat Yair
- On February 25, 2023, shots were fired at the settlement of Havat Yair (southeast of Qalqilya). No casualties or damage were reported. IDF fighters searched the area and found six empty shell casings. Somewhat later the Israeli security forces detained a suspect in Qarawat Bani Hassan, and found the weapon he apparently used in the attack (IDF spokesman’s Twitter account, February 25, 2023).

The weapon used in the shooting attack, found in the suspect’s house
(IDF spokesman’s Twitter account, February 25, 2023).
Shots fired at the IDF post at the Jit Junction
- On February 24, 2023, shots were fired at the IDF post at the Jit Junction (southwest of Nablus). No casualties were reported, the post was damaged. IDF forces searched the area and found several empty shell casings (IDF Twitter account, February 24, 2023).
Attempted stabbing attack near Ma’aleh Adumim
- On the morning of February 23, 2023, Israeli security guards at the entrance to Ma’aleh Adumim identified a Palestinian woman armed with a knife walking towards them. They called on her to halt but she continued approaching. One of the guards shot and wounded her. She was evacuated to a hospital in Israel (Israeli media, February 23, 2023). She was Fatma Naman Ali Badr, 20 years old, from Abu Dis (al-Qastel website, February 23, 2023).

The knife found in the possession of the Palestinian terrorist
(Israel Police Force spokesman’s unit, February 23, 2023).
Shots fired at the IDF post in Homesh
- On February 22, 2023, shots were fired from a passing car at the IDF post in the settlement of Homesh (northwest of Nablus). No casualties were reported. IDF forces responded by firing at the vehicle, which drove away (IDF spokesman’s Twitter account, February 22, 2023).
Critical Terrorist Attacks in Judea and Samaria since February 2021[1]
Revenge attacks of Israeli settlers
- After the deadly shooting attack in Hawwara, on the night of February 26, 2023, dozens of Jewish settlers carried out a series of revenge attacks against Palestinians in the Nablus area. They entered the town of Hawwara and attacked Palestinians and property. According to local sources, more than a hundred Palestinians were injured, dozens of houses were set on fire and more than a hundred vehicles were damaged. The fires caused dozens of Palestinian families to evacuate their houses. After several hours and detentions of rioters by Israeli forces, relative calm was restored (Israeli media, February 26, 2023). During the event the mosque loudspeakers in Hawwara were used to call on local residents to go into the streets and confront the rioters (Shehab Twitter account, February 26, 2023).

Arson in Hawwara (Radwan al-Akhras’ Twitter account, February 26, 2023).

Vehicles burned in Hawwara. Right: Vehicles towed to the local spare parts junkyard
(Wafa, February 27, 2023).
- The PA ministry of health in Ramallah reported the death of Sameh Hamdallah Mahmoud Aqtash, 37 years old, who was wounded when Jewish settlers rioted in the village of Zaatra, south of Nablus (Wafa, February 26, 2023). Aqtash, a resident of the village of Bayta, had recently returned from Turkey, where he participated in the search and rescue operations after the earthquake. Hamas issued a mourning notice for him (Rakan Dawood’s Facebook page, February 26, 2023).

Sameh Aqtash (Rakan Dawood’s Facebook page, February 26, 2023).
- PA and Palestinian organization leaders reacted strongly to the events and called for international intervention:
- Mahmoud Abbas’ office claimed the objective of the “terrorism carried out under the protection of the occupation” was to destroy international efforts and thereby extricate itself from its crisis. According to the announcement, the international community, especially the United States, had to force Israel to stop its “aggression against the Palestinian people” (Wafa, February 26, 2023).
- PA Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh placed responsibility for the situation on the Israeli authorities, falsely claiming the rioters had been protected by IDF forces. He called for international intervention. He also announced the appointment of a committee that would estimate the damages for the payment of reparations (Wafa, February 26, and 27, 2023). In the meantime, the PA minister for local authority announced an initial transfer of emergency aid worth 350,000 shekels (about $100,000) to the Hawwara municipality, noting that the committee appointed to estimate the extent of the damage would present its findings in the near future (Ma’an, February 28, 2023).
- Hussein al-Sheikh, general secretary of the PLO’s Executive Committee, called the action of the “gangs” in Hawwara an unprecedented escalation which opened [the door to] “every option to deal with Israel’s new fascism.” He said they were again calling on the international community to provide the Palestinians with protection (Hussein al-Sheikh’s Twitter account, February 27, 2023).
- Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki gave a speech in Geneva before the Human Rights Council calling for international protection for the Palestinian people in the face of Israeli violence. He claimed the settler terrorism carried out under “the aegis of the IDF” [sic] had cost the Palestinians lives and income (al-Jazeera, February 23, 2023).
- Hamas issued a condemnation warning the Israeli government of the consequences of its settlers’ activities (Paltoday, February 26, 2023). Saleh al-‘Arouri, deputy head of Hamas’ political bureau, urgently called on Palestinians to clash with the “occupation and its criminal settlers” and to support Hawwara and the villages around it (Hamas website, February 26, 2023).
- PIJ spokesman Da’ud Shehab claimed that the violence in Hawwara was the translation of the “official position” [sic] of the Israeli government, which ignored all the understandings reached at the Aqaba summit meeting. He also noted the “resistance” [anti-Israeli violence and terrorism] would continue with no regard for the understandings reached.
- On the night of February 26, 2023, many local residents answered the call and went out into the streets and held protest demonstrations in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip. According to reports, tires were burned in eastern Khan Yunis near the border security fence and the night harassment units renewed their activities (Shehab Twitter account, February 26, 2023).
Counterterrorism Activities
- This past week the Israeli security forces continued intensive counterterrorism activities in Judea and Samaria, detaining Palestinians suspected of involvement in terrorist activities and confiscating large quantities of weapons. The activities focused on Nablus. On the afternoon of February 22, 2023, Israeli security forces entered the city to detain three Palestinians wanted for involvement in past shooting attacks and planning more attacks in the immediate future. The forces surrounded a building where the three were hiding and called on them to surrender; they refused. One of the wanted Palestinians tried to escape and was shot and killed. The other two remained inside the building. The forces fired a missile and the building collapsed, killing the two terrorists. In the meantime armed local residents gathered at the site and at other locations and rioted. Nine Palestinians were killed in the riots and many were wounded (IDF spokesman and the Israeli media, February 22, 2023).[2]

Palestinians riot in Nablus (alyawm24, February 22, 2023).
- In response to the events the Lion’s Den network issued two flysheets. The first claimed it would continue its activities despite the blows it had received and stressed that since the death of the shaheeds the previous day, 50 new operatives had joined. The second called on the Palestinians in Judea, Samaria, the Gaza Strip and Jerusalem to go out into the streets at exactly 12 midnight and praise Allah, while the Lion’s Den operatives prepared to avenge the shaheeds in Nablus (Ma’an, February 23, 2023).
- On the night of February 24, 2023, after shots had been fired near the IDF Herodion post (southeast of Bethlehem), the IDF searched the area and detained a suspect, confiscating his gun and ammunition magazines. The suspect and his weapons were transferred to the Israel Police Force (IDF spokesman’s Twitter account, February 24, 2023).

Gun and ammunition found in the suspect’s possession
(IDF spokesman’s Twitter account, February 24, 2023).
Palestinian killed in the al-Aroub refugee camp
- On February 24, 2023, the al-Ahli Hospital in Hebron reported the death of Muhammad Isma’il Jawabra, 22 years old, from the al-Aroub refugee camp. He was wounded on February 23, 2023, during a clash with IDF forces in the al-Aroub refugee camp north of Hebron. He was a sergeant in the Palestinian police force serving in Bethlehem (Wafa, February 24, 2023). Yusuf al-Holi, commander of the Palestinian police, issued a mourning notice for him (Palestinian police force Facebook page, February 24, 2023). The Fatah movement branch in Surif also issued a mourning notice for him (Facebook page of Abu Yahya Abu Qabeita, February 24, 2023). The PA held a full military funeral for him (Wafa Facebook page, February 24, 2023).

Right: Mourning notice issued by the Palestinian police force (Palestinian police force Facebook page, February 24, 2023). Left: Mourning notice issued by the Fatah branch in Surif (Facebook page of Abu Yahya Abu Qabeita, February 24, 2023).
Death of wounded PIJ terrorist organization in the Jenin refugee camp
- On February 23, 2023, PA ministry of health in Ramallah announced the death of Muhammad Nabil Fawzi Abu Sabah, 29 years old, from the Jenin refugee camp, who was wounded while rioting against Israeli security forces in the Jenin refugee camp on February 12, 2023. The PIJ’s military-terrorist wing issued a mourning notice for him, claiming he was a Jenin Battalion field commander (Jerusalem Brigades website, February 23, 2023).

Right: Muhammad Abu Sabah wearing a Jerusalem Brigades headband (Jerusalem Brigades website, February 23, 2023). Left: Muhammad Abu Sabah wrapped for burial in a PIJ flag (Amad website, February 23, 2023).
Rocket and mortar shell fire into Israel
- At four o’clock in the morning on February 23, 2023, six rockets were fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip, allegedly in response to the events in Nablus. Sirens were sounded in the southern coastal city of Ashqelon, the city of Sderot and the Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip. Five rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome aerial defense system and one fell in an open area. No casualties were reported (IDF spokesman, February 23, 2023). As opposed to recent rocket firings for which no organization claimed responsibility and the Palestinian media remained silent, this time the media issued statements, including from Hamas, boasting about firing rockets and the role played by the Gaza Strip in supporting Judea and Samaria.
- Sources described as “knowledgeable about the Egyptian mediation” reported that during the previous two days the Egyptians had been holding intensive contacts with the “organizations” in the Gaza Strip to prevent escalation. According to the sources, the organizations’ leaderships told the Egyptians they would not waive the “principle of the unity of the arenas” and that the rocket fire would continue and was liable to develop into additional “high-quality operations” [sic] (al-Araby al-Jadeed, February 23,2023).
Monthly Distribution of Rocket and Mortar Shell Fire since February 2021
Annual Distribution of Rocket Hits
Israeli Air Force attacks in the Gaza Strip
- In response to the rocket fire, Israeli Air Force planes attacked a Hamas site for the manufacture of weapons in the central Gaza Strip. The IDF spokesman reported the facility was located near a mosque, a clinic, a hotel and a police station (IDF spokesman, February 23, 2023).
Experimental rocket fire
- on February 25, 2023, the Palestinian social networks reported the firing of a rocket from the Gaza Strip towards the sea as part of what they referred to as “improving the rocket capabilities of the resistance” [terrorist organizations] (Ghaza al-A’an Twitter account, February 25, 2023).
Palestinians wounded near the border security fence in the eastern Gaza Strip
- On February 24, 2023, several hundred Palestinians gathered near the security fence along the border with Israel, burned tires and waved Palestinian flags to protest Israel’s “crimes” in Judea and Samaria, especially in Nablus. IDF forces responded by firing rubber bullets, tear gas and live ammunition. The ministry of health in Gaza reported two Palestinians from eastern Jabalia had been wounded, one seriously, and they were evacuated to the Indonesian Hospital (al-Andalou News, February 24, 2023). An adult and child were reported wounded near Abu Safiya in eastern Jabalia, and one Gazan was reported to have inhaled teargas in eastern Khan Yunis. Dozens of others were also reported to have inhaled teargas (Safa and Shehab, February 24, 2023).

Clashes near the border security fence in the eastern Gaza Strip (Right: al-Andalou News, February 24, 2023. Left: Palestinienpic Twitter account, February 24, 2023).
Palestinian wounded in a return march dies
- On February 22, 2023, the death of Muhammad Sami al-Abd Abu al-Amarin, 33 years old,[3] from the Jabalia refugee camp, was reported. He died from wounds incurred during a return march in eastern Jabalia two years ago (Wafa, February 23, 2023; Facebook page of Mahmoud Abu al-Amarin, February 22, 2023).

Muhammad Sami al-Abd Abu al-Amarin, (@Pal_Shaheed Twitter account, February 23, 2023).
Attempted infiltration from the Gaza Strip
- IDF surveillance identified four young Gazans who crossed the border security fence in the northern Gaza Strip near the Erez Crossing. IDF fighters detained them near the fence. They were unarmed and turned over to the Israeli security forces for interrogation (IDF spokesman’s Twitter account, February 25, 2023).
The special UN envoy to the Middle East peace process visits the Gaza Strip
- On February 23, 2023, Tor Wennesland, special UN envoy to the Middle East peace process, entered the Gaza Strip through the Erez Crossing (al-Andalou News, February 23, 2023). According to “knowledgeable Palestinian sources,” he met with the Hamas leadership to discuss recent developments in the Palestinian arena (palsawa, February 23, 2023). The Hamas website did not report the meeting. The Palestinian social network, some of them quoting Israeli sources, reported that Wennesland asked to meet with Yahya al-Sinwar, head of the Hamas political bureau in the Gaza Strip, but after al-Sinwar refused he met instead with Rawhi Mushtaha, a member of Hamas’ political bureau (@ajalgaza2023 Twitter account, February 23, 2023).

Tor Wennesland meets with Rawhi Mushtaha (palsawa, February 23, 2023).
- Regarding the events in Nablus, Tor Wennesland said he was worried by the ongoing cycle of violence and the loss of civilian lives, and called on both sides to avoid taking steps that were liable to escalate the situation. Da’ud Shehab, responsible for the PIJ’s “information” bureau, claimed in response that the positions of the UN mediators were “fluid,” not coordinated with their roles and missions, ignored the facts and did not include specific condemnation of Israel (PIJ website, February 23, 2023).
The Aqaba summit meeting
- On February 26, 2023, a summit meeting was held in Aqaba in Jordan, attended by representatives from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, the PA and Israel. Their objective was to reduce the tension on the ground and promote security and the political understandings which had been reached during the two previous weeks with the American coordinator. The Palestinians were represented by Hussein al-Sheikh, responsible for coordinating with Israel; Majdi Faraj, head of Palestinian general intelligence; Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for Mahmoud Abbas; and Majdi al-Khaldi, Mahmoud Abbas’ diplomatic advisor.[4]
- After the meeting (during which two Israeli civilians were killed in a terrorist attack in Hawwara) the Jordanian and other Arab media reported that according to the summation announcement, Israel and the PA had agreed to honor all previous signed agreements. The participants also noted the need to defuse the escalation, prevent violence and preserve the historical status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem, stressing the importance of Jordanian Hashemite sponsorship. Israel and the PA agreed to act immediately to stop all unilateral measures for between three to six months. According to the report, Israel promised to stop deliberations regarding the construction of new houses in the settlements for four months and to stop authorizing the construction of new settlements for six months (Petra, February 26, 2023). Both sides agreed to meet again at Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt during March 2023 before the beginning of the Muslim religious month of Ramadan in order to promote the realization of the goals (Jordanian News Agency and Wafa, February 26, 2023).
- Hussein al-Sheikh said the summit meeting emphasized the importance of achieving a more comprehensive political process that would lead to peace. He said they would not cede their principles and would defend their “narrative.” He also claimed security coordination was still suspended and they had changed their decisions to coordinate them with the degree of Israel’s attacks. He claimed they had also not changed their minds about appealing to the Security Council (Dunia al-Watan, February 27, 2023).
- Hamas spokesman Abd al-Latif al-Qanua said the meeting in Aqaba gave Israel a green light to commit more crimes and the [Palestinian] security services in Nablus had to join forces and clash with the “occupation forces and the settlers.” He added that they would not allow the government of Israel to separate the Palestinian people’s arenas and the “equation of the unity of the arenas determined during Operation Guardian of the Walls was still in effect” (al-Mayadeen, February 27, 2023).

A summit meeting is held in Aqaba while blood runs in the streets of Nablus. The Arabic reads, “The security summit in Aqaba …Nablus” (Shehab Twitter account, February 26, 2023).

Cartoons by Gazan cartoonist Bahaa Yassin show the PA fawning on Israel while the blood from the Israeli activity in Nablus is still wet (Right: Khaled al-Sultan’s Twitter account, February 25, 2023). Left: @Omar_Gaza2 Twitter account, February 25, 2023).
Palestinian “diplomatic” activity
- In the meantime, PA Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh continued meeting with international figures to promote pressure on Israel and finding ways to punish it. He held meeting with the following people:
- On February 24, 2023, he met with a delegation of American Senators led by Senate Majority Democrat Leader Chuck Schumer. Muhammad Shtayyeh demanded the members of the delegation exert pressure on Israel to stop its “collective punishment” of the Palestinians, turn the bodies of the Palestinians it holds over to the PA, stop deducting Palestinian tax revenues and allow elections to be held, including in Jerusalem, in accordance with signed agreements (Muhammad Shtayyeh’s Facebook page, February 24, 2023).
- On February 23, 2023, he met with Nicola Beer, vice president of the European Parliament. He told her the situation in the Palestinian territories was very dangerous and escalating under the shadow of Israel’s extremist government, which believed only in more settlements, killing, entering Palestinian cities by force and Judaizing Muslim holy sites. He called on the EU to take steps to preserve the two-state solution by exerting pressure on Israel to stop its unilateral measures and [alleged] violations of the rights of the Palestinians, and by forcing it to adhere to all the signed agreements. He also asked that the EU recognize a Palestinian state (Muhammad Shtayyeh’s Facebook page, February 23, 2023).

Right: Muhammad Shtayyeh and US senators (Wafa, February 24, 2023). Left: Muhammad Shtayyeh meets with the European Parliament’s vice president (Muhammad Shtayyeh’s Facebook page, February 23, 2023).
-
- On February 22, 2023, Muhammad Shtayyeh met with an EU delegation headed by the EU Parliament member for relations with the PA. Also present was Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff, the EU representative in the PA. Muhammad Shtayyeh briefed them on Israel’s [alleged] violations of Palestinian rights, the most recent of which was the activity in Nablus which he referred to as “organized terrorism.” He demanded the EU stop its policy of double standard, which encouraged Israel to continue its “aggression” against the Palestinians. He also called on the EU to recognize a Palestinian state, especially in light of the fact that there was no partner in Israel because of its extremist government (Wafa, February 22, 2023).
- On February 28, 2023, Hussein al-Sheikh met with an American delegation headed by Hady Amr, deputy assistant secretary for Israeli and Palestinian affairs in the American State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. Al-Sheikh discussed Israel’s attacks on the Palestinian people, including killing and burning houses. He demanded the United States and international community protect the Palestinian people from Israel (Hussein al-Sheikh’s Twitter account, February 28, 2023).
Budget authorized for the Association of Shaheed Families, 2023, and its inclusion in the PA budget
- At the weekly PA government meeting on February 20, 2023, the annual budget for the Association of Shaheed Families was authorized and the decision was made to include it in the PA’s overall budget for 2023 (Muhammad Shtayyeh’s Facebook page, February 20, 2023). In recent years the PA inserted the budget for the shaheed families into the PLO’s budget to evade Israeli sanctions and deductions. The amount of the budget was not disclosed. Generally speaking, the PA’s annual budget is decided on by the PA government and passed over to Mahmoud Abbas for final authorization, usually towards March.
PA incitement propaganda
- On February 25, 2023, al-Hayat al-Jadeeda, the PA’s official newspaper, printed a cartoon encouraging and inciting violence against and attacks on IDF forces. It showed a “Palestinian Theseus”[5] attacking and beating an IDF soldier (al-Hayat al-Jadeeda, February 26, 2023). The Palestinians cynically used the image of a mythological Greek king and adopted him for the sake of the “struggle” against Israel.

“The Palestinian Theseus” al-Hayat al-Jadeeda, February 26, 2023.
Rocks, Molotov cocktails and other attacks
- In Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem Palestinians there was a significant increase in the number of rocks and Molotov cocktails thrown at Israeli vehicles driving on the roads. Many of the attacks were in the Nablus and Hawwara (south of Nablus) regions. The more prominent events were the following:[6]
- February 28, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle between the settlements of Avnei Hefetz and Einav (southeast of Tulkarm). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- February 28, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle in Hawwara (south of Nablus). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- February 27, 2023: Palestinians reported that an Israeli vehicle entered Silwad (east of Ramallah) and was torched by local residents. The driver and passengers managed to escape unharmed (QudsN Twitter account, February 27, 2023). Following the attack, an IDF force entered Silwad to detain the Palestinians who had set fire to the vehicle (Israeli media, February 27, 2023).

Torched vehicle in Silwad (QudsN Twitter account, February 27, 2023).
-
- February 27, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus near the Zif Junction (south of Hebron). No casualties were reported; the bus was damaged.
- February 27, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus in Funduq, near Kedumim (east of Qalqilya). No casualties were reported; the bus was damaged.
- February 27, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle in Wadi Haramiya (northeast of Ramallah). Two soldiers were injured and the vehicle was damaged.
- February 27, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle between Bayt A’innon and Kiryat Arba (east of Hebron). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- February 27, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle at the entrance to the settlement of Tapuah (west of Hebron). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- February 27, 2023: A paint bottle was thrown at an Israeli vehicle in Hawwara. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- February 26, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus near the settlement of Argaman Jordan Valley). No casualties were reported; the bus was damaged.
- February 26, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near Luban al-Sharqia (northeast of Ramallah). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- February 26, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle in Hawwara (south of Nablus). An Israeli civilian was injured.
- February 26, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near the Ma’aleh Lavona Junction (southeast of Ramallah). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- February 26, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle south of the Gush Etzion Junction. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- February 26, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near Umm Safa (north of Ramallah). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- February 26, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle between the settlements of Tapuah and Migdalim (south of Nablus). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- February 26, 2023: Rocks were thrown and fireworks were shot at Israeli settlers who were passing through Hawwara. One Israeli was wounded.
- February 26, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle between the settlement of Tapuah and Ariel (northeast of Salfit). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- February 26, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus between Bayt Ummar and al-Aroub (north of Hebron). No casualties were reported; the bus was damaged.
- February 25, 2023: Molotov cocktails were thrown near Bayt Sira (west of Ramallah). An IDF force at the site detained the Palestinians who threw them. One was wounded and evacuated to a hospital, the other escaped (IDF spokesman’s Twitter account and Rescue Without Borders in Judea and Samaria, February 25, 2023).
- February 25, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus in Hawwara. No casualties were reported; the bus was damaged.
- February 23, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle in Hawwara. No casualties were reported; the bus was damaged.
- February 23, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near Sinjil (northeast of Ramallah). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- February 23, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle from a passing car near Turmus Aya (northeast of Ramallah). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- February 23, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus south of Givat Assaf (east of Ramallah). The bus driver was injured; the bus was damaged.
- February 23, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus near the Mikhmash Junction (east of Ramallah). No casualties were reported; the bus was damaged.
- February 23, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus carrying IDF soldiers between the settlements of Homesh and Shavei Shomron (northwest of Nablus). No casualties were reported; the bus was damaged.
- February 23, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle in Hawwara. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- February 23, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near Kiryat Arba (east of Hebron). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- February 23, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near Azzun (east of Qalqilya). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- February 23, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle in Hawwara. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- February 23, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle on the Nebi Elias bypass road (east of Qalqilya). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- February 22, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near the road leading to the settlement of Migdalim (northeast of Nablus). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- February 22, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus southeast of Bethlehem. No casualties were reported; the bus was damaged.
- February 22, 2023: Rocks and a Molotov cocktail were thrown at an Israeli bus driving towards the Reihan Crossing (west of Jenin). No casualties were reported; the bus was damaged.
- February 22, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus at the Ma’aleh Lavona Junction. No casualties were reported; the bus was damaged.
- February 22, 2023: Rocks were thrown at a police patrol car near Kiryat Arba. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- February 22, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near al-Aroub. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- February 22, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus and other vehicles north of Kiryat Arba. No casualties were reported; vehicles were damaged.
- February 22, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle between Ariel and Tapuah (northeast of Salfit). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
[1] A critical attack is defined by the ITIC as involving shooting, stabbing, a vehicular attack, the use of IEDs, or a combination of the above. Stones and Molotov cocktails thrown by Palestinians are not included. ↑
[2] For further information see the February 23, 2023, report, "Reactions to the IDF Activity in Nablus (February 22, 2023)." ↑
[3] According to the @Pal_Shaheed Twitter account, he was 24 years old at the time of his death. ↑
[4] The participation of the Palestinian delegation was criticized for relieving the crisis. The Lion's Den network called for a demonstration supporting adherence to "resistance" [terrorism] and refusing security understandings. The Hamas online magazine al-Risalah published an article entitled "The summit meeting in Aqaba...the PA sinks deeper into the swamp of treason," which accused the PA of being a tool in the hands of Israel and the United States with no intention of representing the Palestinian position. It also claimed the PA aspired, at all costs, to destroy the "resistance" to ensure its status and survival (al-Risalah, February 25, 2023). ↑
[5] Theseus, the mythical king of Athens who killed the Minotaur and was considered a great lawgiver. ↑
[6] Information and pictures from Rescue Without Borders in Judea and Samaria unless otherwise noted. ↑