Spotlight on Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (July 27 – August 2, 2022)

Shooting attack in Nablus

• On July 28, 2022, a shooting attack was carried out near Nablus. Three armed Palestinians drove to one of the city’s entrances, a passenger exited the vehicle and began shooting at a military post manned by the IDF. The fighters returned fire, wounding the Palestinian; he was evacuated for medical treatment. No Israeli casualties were reported. Somewhat later another vehicle drove up, collected the shooter’s weapon and drove away (IDF spokesman’s Twitter account, July 28, 2022).

• Local sources in Nablus reported that the shooter was Khaled Hajeer, 24, and that he and the two Palestinians with him were wounded and taken to the hospital in Nablus for treatment (Quds Press, July 24, 2022). His brother confirmed that Khaled Hajeer, from the Balata refugee camp in Nablus, had been shot after “being suspected” of involvement in a shooting attack at the Hawwara roadblock, adding that he was hospitalized in Israel and that his condition was serious but stable (al-Araby al-Jadeed, July 29, 2022).
• According to Khaled Hajeer’s Facebook page, he was an officer with the rank of captain in the Palestinian police. His most recent posting to his page was after the killing of Muhammad Aziza and Abd al-Rahman Sabah in Nablus on July 24, 2022, when he wrote, “There is no beginning except for the beginning of the shaheeds” (Facebook page of Khaled Hajeer, July 24, 2022). He also posted his reactions to the killing and detention of various terrorist operatives.

    
Khaled Hajeer (Facebook page of Khaled Hajeer, April 23, 2022). Left: Khaled Hajeer wearing a Palestinian police uniform (Facebook page of Khaled Hajeer, February 16, 2022).

• Hamas spokesman Abd al-Latif al-Qanua praised Khaled Hajeer, stating that in light of the “escalation of the crimes of the occupation” against the Palestinians, Hamas called on all the operatives of the security forces and police in the West Bank to follow in his footsteps and confront IDF forces and settlers. He also called on the security forces in the West Bank to refuse to follow instructions for security coordination with Israel (Hamas website, July 29, 2022).

Sheikh Bassem al-Sa’adi, senior PIJ figure, detained in Jenin

• On August 1, 2022, the Israeli security forces detained Sheikh Bassem al-Sa’adi,^[1] a senior PIJ figure in Samaria. His son-in-law, Ashraf al-Jada, was detained with him, also for involvement in terrorist activities. Weapons and money were confiscated from the house (IDF spokesman, Ynet, August 2, 2022).

    
Right: Bassem al-Sa’adi (left) and his son-in-law, Ashraf al-Jada (Daffa_media Telegram channel of the PIJ in the West Bank, August 1, 2022).

• During the activity a firefight developed and the Israeli security forces shot and wounded several armed Palestinians. The Palestinian media reported that Derar Riad Saleh al-Kafrini, 17, from the Jenin refugee camp, had been shot and killed during the exchange of fire (Ma’an, August 1, 2022). The PIJ issued a mourning notice for him, saying he was an operative in the organization’s night harassment unit in the Jenin refugee camp (Jerusalem Brigades website, August 2, 2022). His body was wrapped for burial in a PIJ flag (@HejaziAlrahman’s Twitter account, August 2, 2022).

   
Right: Operatives of the Jerusalem Brigades, the PIJ’s military-terrorist wing (Twitter account of the al-Jazeera website’s Palestinian page, August 1, 2022). Left: Derar al-Kafrini (Khaled Affif’s Twitter account, August 2, 2022).

• Following the detention of al-Sa’adi, the PIJ’s military-terrorist wing announced it had raised its alert level and threatened revenge (Jerusalem Brigades website, August 1, 2022). Khaled al-Batash, a member of the PIJ’s political bureau, said Israel was responsible for any harm that came to al-Sa’adi and would “pay dearly” for anything that happened to him. He said the Jerusalem Brigades and all the organizations’ military wings would respond to Israel’s attacks (al-Mayadeen TV, August 1, 2022). On another occasion he said that when the Jerusalem Brigades announced they would respond, “everyone” should wait for it (al-Shabab Radio, August 2, 2022).
• Senior PIJ figure Khader Adnan also said Israel was responsible for al-Sa’adi’s life, adding that Israel’s intention was to empty the PA of political leadership. He therefore demanded to strengthen the “resistance” front [the terrorist organizations] in the West Bank and to put a complete stop to security coordination (PIJ Telegram channel in the West Bank, August 2, 2022).
• Hamas said in an announcement that the “barbaric aggression” in Jenin, the detention of a senior PIJ figure, [allegedly] “after he and his family were beaten” would ignite an intifada that would pursue Israel and the settlers everywhere on [Palestinian] land (Hamas website, August 2, 2022).
• Concerned that rockets would be fired from the Gaza Strip, the IDF closed the main roads near the Gaza Strip and south of the southern coastal Israeli city of Ashqelon; train service in the area was also cancelled (IDF spokesman, August 2, 2022).

Counterterrorism activities

• This past week the Israeli security forces continued intensive counterterrorism activities in Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem, detaining dozens of Palestinians wanted for involvement in terrorist activities and confiscating large quantities of weapons. In several instances Palestinians rioted, throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at the forces, and sometimes shooting at them (IDF spokesman, Israel Police Force Twitter account, July 27-August 2, 2022).

•  On August 1, 2022, the Israeli security forces carried out extensive activities in Judea and Samaria, detaining about 40 Hamas operatives and senior figures, some of them former prisoners (IDF spokesman’s Twitter account, August 1, 2022). In response, Hamas said in a statement that [Israel] could not extinguish the “population movement” against the “occupation.” Musa Dudin, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, said the extensive detentions of Hamas operatives was an expression of Israel’s inability to cope with the “heroism of the Palestinian people” (al-Quds, August 1, 2022).

   
IDF detentions in Judea and Samaria (IDF spokesman’s Twitter account, August 1, 2022).

• During an IDF activity in the Bethlehem area, a suspect was detained and a search of his vehicle uncovered weapons and ₪20,000 (a little less than $6,000), suspected of being earmarked to finance terrorist activities (IDF spokesman’s Twitter account, July 29, 2022).

   
The weapons and money found in the suspect’s vehicle
(IDF spokesman’s Twitter account, July 29, 2022).

Palestinian killed near Ramallah

• On July 29, 2022, the IDF reported that hundreds of Palestinians had thrown rocks and Molotov cocktails, and burned tires near Mughayir, northeast of Ramallah. IDF forces responded by initiating crowd dispersal measures and shooting at rock-throwing rioters. Representatives of the foreign news agencies and media present at the time reported on violent clashes between Palestinians and settlers (Ynet, July 29, 2022). The Palestinian media, however, claimed a “peaceful demonstration” had been held at the site by the PA commission for the “struggle” against the fence and the settlements to protest the settlements and settlers (Ma’an, July 29, 2022).
• The Palestinian media reported the wounding and subsequent death of Amjad Nish’at Abu Alia, 16, from Mughayir. His mother said he wanted to go to a place where there were IDF forces because he wanted to be a shaheed (Wafa, July 30, 2022). A military-style funeral was held for him in Mughayir. His body was wrapped for burial in a Palestinian flag and carried on the shoulders of operatives of the PA security forces. Fatah and Hamas flags were carried and anti-Israel slogans were chanted (Ma’an, July 30, 2022).

  
Right: Amjad Abu Alia (Quds Press, July 29, 2022). Left: The military-style funeral held for Amjad Abu Alia (Sanad YouTube channel, July 30, 2022).

• Mahmoud Abbas called Amjad Abu Alia’s father and offered his condolences (Wafa, July 31, 2022). PA Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh condemned the killing and was critical of the fact that “the murderers of Palestinians” were not brought to trial (Wafa, July 29, 2022). The PA foreign ministry said Israel was responsible for his death, calling on the international community to protect the Palestinian people and on the International Criminal Court to begin an immediate investigation of “Israel’s [alleged] crimes” (Quds Press, July 29, 2022)
• Hamas issued a mourning notice, noting that the “resistance” [anti-Israel terrorism] would continue until the “occupation” had been expelled, and that Israel’s attacks would not break the Palestinian people’s spirit (Hamas website, July 29, 2022).

Memorial services held for PIJ operatives killed in clashes with IDF forces

• A memorial service was held in the Jenin refugee camp for four Palestinians of the Jenin Battalion, two operatives from Hamas’ Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades and two from the PIJ’s Jerusalem Brigades.^[2] It was attended by operatives from the military-terrorist wings of the various organizations.
• Jamal Hawil,^[3] a senior Fatah figure in Jenin, speaking on behalf of the “national and Islamic forces,” said that Jenin currently led the Palestinians in the confrontation with Israel. He said Israel was planning to break [the resolution of] Jenin with its detentions [Operation Wave Breaker], but Jenin and its “heroes” had “broken the wave” and expanded to Nablus. He said Jenin would not be broken, and that for the past 11 months the Israeli forces had not entered the Jenin refugee camp. He called on all Palestinians to adhere to national unity and the option of “a comprehensive resistance” [increasing terrorist attacks against Israel] (PIJ website, July 30, 2022; Palinfo, July 29, 2022). Two days previously the Fatah branch in Jenin held a memorial service for three Palestinians who had been killed, attended by Atta Abu  Rumaila, secretary of Fatah’s Jenin district branch (Wafa, July 27, 2022).

   
The memorial rally, also attended by children and adolescents (Right: Shehab, July 29, 2022. Left: Safa, July 29, 2022).

Significant Terrorist Attacks in Judea and Samaria since January 2020^[4]

Rocket and mortar shell fire into Israel

• This past week no rocket or mortar shell hits were identified in Israeli territory.

Monthly Distribution of Rocket and Mortar Shell Fire since January 2020

Annual Distribution of Rocket Hits

Financial distress in the Gaza Strip gives rise to threats of “escalation”

• In light of the Hamas administration’s financial hardships, a number of “sources” said that in the coming days there would be a renewal of incendiary balloon launches into Israeli territory. Husam Badran, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, said Hamas had told “all the [Arab] states” of its intentions, especially Egypt and Qatar, claiming it was going to break the “siege” of the Gaza Strip by every means and at any cost, and that in the coming days there might be an announcement from its military leadership (hadarat.net, July 31, 2022). Hamas’ political bureau rushed to deny Husam Badran’s claim.
• On the sidelines of a meeting of public figures this past week Khalil al-Haya, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, claimed the objective of the “siege” on the Gaza Strip was to break the will of the Palestinian people after they had created “equations” with Israel. He said the Palestinians would not agree “to remain hungry,” and that under such circumstances, an “explosion” was possible (al-Akhbar in Lebanon, August 1, 2022).

Response to IDF revelation of Hamas network in the heart of the civilian population of Gaza City

• On July 27, 2022, the IDF published a list of Hamas terrorist sites in the Gaza Strip operating in the heart of the civilian population and near civilian facilities. One of them was a terrorist tunnel discovered during Operation Guardian of the Walls. The tunnel shaft is near the Islamic University in Gaza City, which has about 20,000 students, and the tunnel path runs close to UNRWA’s main offices. Another was a site for manufacturing and repairing weapons, located in a residential building about 55 meters (about 60 feet) from UNRWA’s clinics and the Shifaa Hospital. There were also a terrorist tunnel in the al-Tufah neighborhood of Gaza City, whose path runs near an elementary school which serves as an emergency civilian shelter, and a weapons storehouse inside a mosque where activities for children and adolescents take place; the mosque is in the heart of a civilian neighborhood (IDF spokesman, July 27, 2022).

   
Location of Hamas terrorist sites (IDF spokesman’s Twitter account, July 27, 2022).

• Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum rushed to claim the IDF’s list was baseless, saying that what Israel had not achieved with its military and security operations, it would also not achieve by spreading rumors and lies, and with using psychological warfare. He insisted that some of the pictures published by the IDF spokesman were of sites where Israel had “slaughtered civilians” during Operation Guardian of the Walls, and “the facts” were currently being presented to legal institutions to bring the “war criminals” to trial (Hamas website, July 27, 2022).
• Abu Obeida, spokesman for Hamas’ military-terrorist wing, claimed the Israeli report about the presence of military activity and sites within the civilian population was a lie, fraud and a poor attempt to cover Israel’s failures in dealing with the “resistance” [terrorist organizations]. He added that Israel’s ongoing tactic of methodically spreading lies would “hurt the truth” and that Israel would pay for everything it had done against the Palestinian people (Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades website, July 28, 2022).

Memorial rally in Khan Yunis

• Hamas’ military-terrorist wing held a memorial rally in Khan Yunis for Mahmoud Fares, the engineer who developed Hamas’ drones and was killed in Operation Guardian of the Walls.^[5] A display of the Shehab and Ababil UAVs used by Hamas was held at the same time (Twitter account of journalist Hassan Aslih, July 26, 2022). A video was also shown about Fares’ life and activities in Hamas’ military-terrorist wing. His ties with Muhammad al-Zouari were stressed; al-Zouari, a Tunisian, developed UAVs for the Gaza Strip and was assassinated in Tunisia (alresala.net, July 27, 2022).
• The rally was attended by senior Hamas figures and commanders of tis military-terrorist wing. Musheir al-Masri, spokesman for the Hamas faction in the Palestinian Legislative Council, praised the operatives of Hamas’ military wing who continued combatting Israel “day and night.” One of the military-terrorist wing’s engineers gave a speech in which he said they were continuing their deployment and development (alresala.net, July 27, 2022).

   
The display of drones in Khan Yunis (Shehab Twitter account, July 27, 2022).

PA activities for permanent UN membership

• In preparation for the annual September UN General Assembly session, the Palestinians are again trying to raise their status from observer state to full membership. According to Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian delegate to the UN, the Palestinian leadership is working “at the highest levels” to secure membership. To that end Mahmoud Abbas is in contact with the presidents of the United States and France, and with the king of Jordan. Mansour said Mahmoud Abbas raised the issue during an open meeting of the UN Security Council, and he expects an answer in the near future (Ma’an, July 28, 2022).

Palestinian reactions to Israel’s decision to deduct ₪600 million (about $178.6 million) from the tax revenues collected for the PA

• On July 31, 2022, the Israeli political-security cabinet voted to deduct the sum of ₪600 million (about $178.6 million) from the tax revenues Israel collects for the PA because the PA continues paying the families of Palestinian prisoners and terrorists. The funds will be deducted in 12 monthly installments, according to law (Israeli TV station Kan 11, July 31, 2022).
• In response, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for Mahmoud Abbas, claimed it was “looting and the theft of Palestinian money.” He said the Palestinian leadership, headed by Mahmoud Abbas, absolutely opposed the decision, which would have no outcome because the rights of the “heroic Palestinian prisoners” would not be violated regardless of pressure, and they would not allow even one penny to be deducted from the funds of the “heroes of the Palestinian people.” He also said the Israeli decision violated international law and called on the international community to exert pressure on Israel to stop and reverse its “provocative measures” (Wafa, July 31, 2022).
• At the PA weekly government meeting, PA Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh claimed the Israeli decision was “illegal” and the “looting” of Palestinian money, adding that it made the PA’s economic crisis more onerous. However, he said the decision would not deter them from carrying out their commitments to the families of the prisoners and shaheeds (Muhammad Shtayyeh’s Facebook page, August 1, 2022).
• Hussein al-Sheikh, general secretary of the PLO’s Executive Committee, said Israel (“the government of the occupation”) continued stealing the money of the Palestinian people and had decided to deduct hundreds of millions of dollars, claiming it was part of Israel’s policy of “financial siege and theft.” He called it another step in the daily “escalation” in the West Bank and Israel’s “blood-letting” (Hussein al-Sheikh’s Twitter account, July 31, 2022).
• Qadri Abu Bakr, chairman of the commission for the affairs of prisoners and released prisoners, claimed the decision showed Israel’s “contempt for the international community and its institutions.” He called on the international community to end its silence and to put an end to such “crimes” (Facebook page of the commission for the affairs of prisoners and released prisoners affairs, July 31, 2022).

Israel criticized for its activities in Jerusalem

• Fadi al-Hidmi, PA minister of Jerusalem affairs, met with Ahmet Rida Demirer, the Turkish consul general in Jerusalem. Al-Hidmi sharply criticized Israel, accusing it of exploiting the political situation before the general elections to carry out large construction projects in the settlements, which, he said, put an end to the two-state solution. He claimed the Israel government continued establishing settlements, such as Givat Amos and Givat HaShaked [a neighborhood of 500 dwelling units planned for the southern part of Jerusalem], which included “thousands” of dwelling units and whose objective was to isolate east Jerusalem from the south. Construction in the Jerusalem area was coupled with an increase in demolishing houses and in registering Palestinian real estate in east Jerusalem as Jewish. Al-Hidmi said the residents of east Jerusalem needed help from Arab-Muslim  countries (Wafa, July 26, 2022).

• On August 1, 2022, the ministry of health in Ramallah reported a decline the number of active cases in Judea and Samaria, 2,108, down from 2,642, on July 24, 2022. The number of active cases in the Gaza Strip more than doubled, 10,652, up from 5,250, on July 24, 2022. The number in east Jerusalem declined slightly, 1,115 active cases, down from 1,555 on July 24, 2022 (ministry of health in Ramallah, August 1, 2022).

Rocks, Molotov cocktails and other attacks

• On July 31, 2022, Rescue Without Borders in Judea and Samaria published a report summarizing the terrorist attacks carried out in Judea and Samaria during the first six months of 2022. According to the report, there were 2,692 attacks of rock-throwing and 577 involving Molotov cocktails.
• In Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem Palestinians continued throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at Israeli vehicles driving on the roads. The more prominent events were the following:^[6]
  • August 1, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle between al-Khader and Efrat, southeast of Bethlehem. No casualties were reported; the windshield of the vehicle was damaged.
  • August 1, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle between Hizma and Anatot, northeast of Jerusalem. No casualties or damage were reported.
  • August 1, 2022: A pipe bomb was thrown at a Border Police post at the entrance to Qalqilya. No casualties or damage were reported.
  • July 31, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle south of Givat Asaf, east of Ramallah. No casualties were reported; the windshield of the vehicle was damaged.
  • July 31, 2022: A Palestinian vehicle broke through a military roadblock at the Ma’aleh Haver Junction, southeast of Hebron. After driving about 400 meters (about a quarter of a mile) the driver and passengers abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot in the direction of the village of Bani Na’im. No casualties or damage were reported.
  • July 30, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle between the settlement of Adam and Hizma, northeast of Jerusalem. No casualties or damage were reported.
  • July 30, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle between the village of Ayn Samiyah and the Kokhav HaShahar quarry northeast of Ramallah. A passenger was injured by flying glass and the front windshield was damaged.
  • July 30, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus as it was exiting Jericho. No casualties were reported; the windshield of the bus was damaged.
  • July 30, 2022: A tire was burned and rocks were thrown at Israeli vehicles, including a bus, near Turmus Aya, northeast of Ramallah. No casualties were reported; vehicles were damaged.
  • July 30, 2022: Rocks were thrown from a passing car at an IDF vehicle near Birzeit, north of Ramallah. No casualties or damage were reported.
  • July 30, 2022: Tires were burned and a stone barricade was erected on route 458 near Mughayir, northeast of Ramallah. No casualties were reported; the vehicles were damaged.
  • July 29, 2022: An Israeli was attacked with clubs and rocks when he was walking his dog near the Elei Zahav industrial zone, southeast of Qalqilya. He was evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment.
  • July 28, 2022: Rocks were thrown from a passing car at an Israeli vehicle east of a junction of the Abud bypass road, northwest of Ramallah. An Israeli was injured by flying glass; the windshield of the vehicle was damaged.
  • July 27, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near the Yakir Junction, southeast of Qalqilya. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
  • July 26, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus on the Husan bypass road, west of Bethlehem. No casualties or damage were reported.
  • July 26, 2022: Rocks were thrown at Israeli vehicles between the settlement of Tapuah and Ariel, southwest of Nablus. An Israeli was injured by flying glass; several vehicles were damaged.
  • July 26, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus between the Einabus traffic circle and the Yitzhar Junction south of Nablus. No casualties or damage were reported.