Spotlight on Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (June 24 – July 1 ,2025)

The IDF

• IDF forces continued aerial and ground operations in the Gaza Strip, attacking hundreds of terrorist targets, primarily belonging to Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), some of which operated from civilian structures. The IDF targeted terrorist squads and operatives, including Hakam Muhammad Issa al-Issa, a founder of the Hamas military wing who played a central role in planning and carrying out the October 7, 2023 attack and massacre. The forces also targeted weapons’ storage facilities, booby-trapped buildings, IED zones and anti-tank missile launching positions, and destroyed three kilometers of tunnels in Khan Yunis. Seven IDF soldiers were killed in an IED explosion in the southern Strip and another soldier was killed in an IED explosion in the northern Strip (IDF spokesperson, June 24 – July 1, 2025).

• On June 25, 2025, the IDF used phone messages and loudspeakers to order the residents of the Jabalia al-Nazla neighborhood in the northern Gaza Strip to evacuate their homes immediately, as the area had been designated a combat zone and was dangerous. A large number of residents fled the area and moved toward the western part of Gaza City and to al-Mawasi in the south (Radio Alam, June 25, 2025). On June 29, 2025, the IDF Arabic spokesperson issued another evacuation notice for broad areas in eastern Gaza City and Jabalia, including east Zeitoun, the Old City of Gaza, Turkman, Ajdida, Tuffah, al-Daraj, al-Sabra, Jabalia al-Balad, Jabalia al-Nazla, the Jabalia refugee camp, al-Nahda, al-Zahour, al-Nour, al-Salam and Tel al-Zaatar. Residents were instructed to evacuate south to the al-Mawasi area (IDF Arabic spokesperson, June 29, 2025).

• “Palestinian sources” reported widespread, unprecedented destruction in the Khan Yunis region, with entire areas of the city deemed uninhabitable. They claimed that all the buildings and infrastructure in the Khuza’a area were completely destroyed, with no remaining shelters or livable residences, while other areas suffered from destruction rates of about 90%. In the town of Abasan, one of the largest in the Khan Yunis area, destruction of about 80% was documented, including severe damage to homes, roads and schools (Khan Yunis and Its Residents Telegram channel, June 27, 2025).

Rocket fire

• The IDF intercepted a rocket launched from the central Gaza Strip at the Israeli communities near the Gaza border. There were no casualties (IDF spokesperson, June 27, 2025). The IDF Arabic spokesperson published a video distributed by Hamas showing a rocket launch from within a displaced persons’ tent, while the Palestinians claimed the IDF attacked tent areas (IDF Arabic spokesperson, June 28, 2025).

• The ceasefire in the Israel-Iran War renewed momentum in the mediators’ efforts to advance an agreement for a temporary or permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of Israeli hostages, with the American president saying he thought the parties were nearing an agreement (Reuters, June 27, 2025). According to reports, the talks focused on a plan by United States special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, which includes a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for the phased release of some live hostages and the bodies of murdered hostages, and entry into negotiations to end the war. However, disagreements remain regarding the non-renewal of fighting, the distribution of humanitarian aid, IDF withdrawal, and guarantees for ending the war (al-Sharq, June 25, 2025; al-Araby, June 30, 2025):
  • Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah, involved in the Israel-Hamas contacts, said that the “end” of the Israel-Iran War allowed Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to focus on resolving the situation in Gaza. He added that the gaps between the sides had been reduced to three points of contention, two of which had already been resolved, and the third would be under discussion in the coming days. He said Hamas showed “understanding” of the need for a quick agreement, and Israel tended towards agreeing to a 60-day trial period. Bahbah claimed that the American president was “personally guaranteeing” that Israel would not violate the agreement during the period, which he said was unprecedented and critical for the success of the initiative (al-Ghad TV website, June 24, 2025).
  • Egyptian foreign minister Badr Abdelatty said his country was working on an agreement for the Gaza Strip which included a 60-day ceasefire and was acting with Qatar and the United States to immediately end the “crimes and massacre” in the Strip. He also warned that a resumption of Israeli attacks after an agreement had been reached would be the main source of regional instability. He said the United States understood that a future agreement in the Gaza Strip which included guarantees to continue the ceasefire was important (ON TV, June 29, 2025).
  • Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatari foreign ministry, stated that the United States seriously intended to push for a return to negotiations, but acknowledged that obstacles remained. He said there were no actual negotiations yet, but rather contacts intended to enable a return to the negotiating table. He said they would not agree to Israel’s linking the humanitarian and military aspects in the Gaza Strip (Al Jazeera, June 30, 2025).
• Hamas said no real negotiations were taking place yet despite the advanced contacts, and claimed Israel was responsible for the failure to reach a ceasefire agreement. Hamas yet again reiterated its position that it was prepared to release all the hostages in exchange for a complete end to the war with American guarantees, the entry of humanitarian aid, and an IDF withdrawal. They claimed they were also willing to accept a temporary ceasefire if it led to negotiations for ending the war:
  • Following Trump’s comments about significant progress in the Gaza negotiations, Hamas political bureau member Bassem Na’im stated that “there are no negotiations at present.” He claimed Hamas was willing to engage in negotiations based on fulfilling the movement’s demands, foremost among them a guaranteed temporary ceasefire that would lead to ending the war. He noted that the situation had to return to the status quo before Israel abandoned the ceasefire, in a way that guaranteed the opening of the crossings and the entry of humanitarian aid in accordance with the humanitarian protocol agreed upon under the sponsorship of the mediators (BBC in Arabic, June 26, 2025).
  • “Hamas sources” reported that the meetings held in Cairo and Doha were the most serious to date, particularly on the part of the United States, which was showing greater willingness to reach an agreement. According to the “sources,” a partial agreement for an agreed-upon time frame would be a reformulation of the 60-day agreement proposed by Witkoff, such that it would include a guarantee of a ceasefire for the entire period and a guarantee for full implementation of the humanitarian protocol. However, the “sources” accused the Israeli government of being the main obstacle, claiming it was not interested in reaching a real agreement. In addition, “several Hamas sources” warned of attempts to impose an “agreement bypassing Hamas” as part of a broader regional deal after the current ceasefire in the Israel-Iran War. They said such an attempt would not succeed because only Hamas had control on the ground and over the hostages (al-Sharq al-Awsat, June 28, 2025).
  • Hamas figure Mahmoud Mardawi accused Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu of playing with the nerves of the families of Israeli “prisoners” for months and showing contempt for their feelings. He said Netanyahu insisted on choosing only ten names of hostages to be released, ignoring the rest, who could be all released in a comprehensive deal; he set impossible conditions which ensured the failure of any agreement; and he refused to honor what he had previously agreed to (Mahmoud Mardawi’s Telegram channel, June 29, 2025). Mardawi also reiterated that Hamas had two non-negotiable conditions: a complete end to the war, and the withdrawal of “occupation” forces from the Gaza Strip with international guarantees. He said Hamas had not yet received any official document from the Americans or any other party, that included Israel’s consent to end the war and withdraw. He also rejected Israel’s demands for the disarmament of the “resistance”^[1] and the departure of Hamas leaders from the Gaza Strip. He said, “This is a fantasy. Palestine is our land, and our weapons are tied to our right to resist and to defend our people” (Al Jazeera Mubasher website, June 29, 2025).
  • Senior Hamas official Taher al-Nunu said the movement was ready to reach an agreement and would accept any proposal if the demands for ending the war were clearly accepted or led to its complete conclusion. He said they had already responded positively to Witkoff’s proposal, but “the occupation” made amendments that undermined the document. Al-Nunu reiterated that they would not accept demands for disarmament or the expulsion of the movement’s leadership. He added that the Palestinian-American businessman Bahbah did not have the qualifications to serve as a mediator and that Egypt and Qatar were leading the mediation (al-Shorouk, June 30, 2025).
  • A “Hamas source” stated that on June 11, 2025, Israel agreed to a number of changes Qatar had made to the Witkoff framework but rejected amendments related to the mechanism for bringing in aid and the withdrawal of IDF forces. According to the “source,” from the Hamas perspective, negotiations could not resume unless the clauses were corrected (al-Arabiya, June 30, 2025).
  • Osama Hamdan, a Hamas figure in Lebanon, said that for four weeks there had been no American position condemning Netanyahu’s rejection of the ceasefire proposal or progress from the Israeli side. Hamdan said Hamas was committed to achieving an agreement that would end the attacks and open the crossings, but as long as Israeli “aggression” continued, so would the “resistance.” He claimed Hamas had submitted a proposal for a comprehensive deal but Netanyahu was engaged in “political extortion paid for with Palestinian blood.” Hamdan added that the United States was not acting as a serious mediator, but Hamas continued to work with mediators to achieve a ceasefire which would save the Palestinian people (Al Jazeera, June 30, 2025).

The situation in the Gaza Strip

• Majed Abu Ramadan, Palestinian Authority (PA) minister of health, announced that 3,500 units of blood and plasma had been received at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis as part of the sixth round of Operation Our Blood Is One, carried out in the PA in response to the severe shortage of blood supplies in the Strip. He said the operation reflected the unity of the Palestinian people and the inseparable bond between the Gaza Strip and Judea and Samaria, and noted that the blood units represented not just medical aid but a message of life, solidarity and shared perseverance. Abu Ramadan praised the blood bank teams in Judea and Samaria for their efforts and the blood donors who responded to the national call. He noted that the process was coordinated with the World Health Organization (Wafa, June 26, 2025).
• Hamas authorities in the Gaza Strip continued to promote the narratives of “hunger” and the collapse of the health system:
  • The Hamas government media information office claimed that the number of children who died from severe malnutrition had risen to 66 and blamed Israel for closing the crossings and prohibiting the entry of baby formula and “essential nutritional supplements.” The statement accused Israel of implementing a “systematic policy of deliberate hunger aimed at killing the civilian population, especially children,” in violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention. It also condemned the “shameful” international silence (alresala.net, June 28, 2025).
  • Muhammad Abu Salmiya, director of the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, warned that children’s nutritional status in the Strip had sunk to life-threatening levels, claiming an entire generation was now growing up suffering from malnutrition. He said the chronic shortage of basic foods, protein and essential vitamins was having deep and lasting effects not only on children’s physical development, but also on their mental health and cognitive function. Issues such as stunted growth, weakened immune systems, difficulty in concentration, depression, anxiety and behavioral disorders were becoming increasingly common, and there was a danger that the effects of the crisis would last for decades. He said that even if immediate humanitarian aid arrived, the damage already done might be irreversible, and he called for urgent international intervention to prevent a wide-scale nutritional disaster (the Hassan Aslih Telegram channel, June 28, 2025).^[2]
  • The Hamas ministry of health in the Gaza Strip claimed that dialysis services at the Shifa Hospital had been completely halted due to a fuel shortage, and only limited intensive care was now being provided. The ministry warned that continued fuel shortages would lead to the deaths of the sick and wounded in all hospitals. According to the ministry, the crisis was caused by Israel’s policy of rationing fuel supplies to hospitals. The ministry called on all relevant parties and international organizations to intervene to prevent the total collapse of the public health system and to supply medical equipment and fuel (Yaffa News Network Telegram channel, July 1, 2025).

Humanitarian aid

• The Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) reported that during June 2025, 29,375 tons of food entered the Gaza Strip, compared to 19,871 tons in May. According to the data, total aid entering in June 2025 weighed 29,783 tons, compared to 20,910 tons in May (COGAT website, June 30, 2025).
• The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) reported that as of June 29, 2025, it had passed the milestone of 50 million meals distributed to Gazans since its distribution centers began operating on May 27, 2025. The foundation stated that each day over the past week, between 1.5 and 2 million meals were distributed (GHF’s X account and Facebook page, June 24 – July 1, 2025). The IDF spokesperson said that to streamline the operation of distribution centers, reduce friction with the local population and ensure that aid did not reach Hamas, access routes to the aid compounds had been reorganized. Measures included fencing and marking the compounds, placing directional and warning signs, opening additional access roads, constructing barriers for vehicles and checkpoints, and physically modifying the layout of the compounds to allow outside observation of the remaining aid packages each day (IDF spokesperson, June 30, 2025).

      
Right: New entry routes to distribution centers (IDF spokesperson, June 30, 2025).
Left: Food packages ready for distribution at the GHF compound (GHF X account, June 27, 2025)

• Hamas mechanisms in the Gaza Strip and media outlets affiliated with the movement continued accusing the IDF and the American security company ensuring the humanitarian foundation of shooting at and attacking “hungry civilians” at the distribution centers. The Hamas ministry of health in the Gaza Strip reported that since the distribution centers began operating on May 27, 2025, 583 Palestinians waiting for aid had been killed and nearly 4,200 wounded (the Hamas ministry of health Telegram channel, July 1, 2025).

• World Health Organization director-general Tedros Ghebreyesus said that on June 25, 2025, the organization had delivered its first medical shipment to the Gaza Strip since March 2, 2025. He said nine trucks carrying essential medical supplies, 2,000 units of blood, and 1,500 units of plasma had entered through the Kerem Shalom Crossing without being looted. The blood and plasma were delivered to the refrigerated storage facility at the Nasser medical complex in Khan Yunis for further distribution to hospitals facing severe shortages amid a growing wave of injuries, many of them linked to incidents at food distribution sites (WHO director’s X account, June 26, 2025).

Hamas governance

• Over the past week, clashes intensified between Hamas security forces and local clans in the Gaza Strip as well as gunmen from the Popular Forces militia of Yasser Abu Shabab, who is backed by Israel:
  • On June 27, 2025, Hamas police reported that Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis was attacked by an armed group operating under aerial cover from IDF aircraft. The group fired inside the hospital grounds, vandalized property and burned ambulances. The police reported that they had regained control of the situation, arrested some attackers and neutralized others (Palestinian police Telegram channel, June 27, 2025). “Palestinian sources” said the incident had been caused by a conflict between the al-Baraka family and rival families after a member of the al-Baraka family was involved in the killing of a man known as Abu al-Hur, prompting retaliation, accusations, and mutual threats (Amsak Amil Telegram channel, June 27, 2025). Ghassan Aziz Duhini, deputy to Yasser Abu Shabab, confirmed that Popular Forces operatives fought alongside the clans at Nasser Hospital. He accused Hamas of turning hospitals into military posts to store equipment and gangs intended to suppress the population (Ghassan Aziz Dahini’s Facebook page, June 26, 2025). Hamas “resistance security” announced that immediate sentences of execution by gunfire had been issued for several suspects and would be carried out within 48 hours unless they surrendered voluntarily, handed over their weapons and regularized their status with the authorities (al-Siyad Telegram channel, June 28, 2025).

• • Dozens of gunmen from the Abu Zayyid family and the al-Nuseirat tribe held a daylight demonstration in central Gaza against Hamas, demanding the handover of members of the Sahm Unit, whom they accused of killing their son, Amer Abu Zayyid, an operative in the Popular Resistance Committees’ military-terrorist wing (al-Nuseirat tribe Facebook page, June 22 and 26, 2025)

• • Yasser Abu Shabab said his forces had attacked a Hamas outpost at the University College of Applied Sciences in Khan Yunis. He said local residents complained that food supplies intended for needy families had been confiscated and stored in the college, prompting his men to enter the site and drive out the Hamas operatives. He noted that large quantities of flour and food items were found on-site, which were delivered to several mukhtars affiliated with Abu Shabab’s gang to ensure fair distribution of the aid (Popular Forces of Yasser Abu Shabab Facebook page, July 30, 2025).
  • In the wake of the events, the IDF spokesperson in Arabic issued a statement on behalf of the Abu Shabab’s Popular Forces, reporting that Hamas and the Sahm Unit were appropriating humanitarian aid and using it for political extortion. The statement said the Forces had complete information on the locations of warehouses across the Strip and that they would not hesitate to act to implement justice and prevent the local population from suffering hunger and humiliation. It concluded with a call to international bodies to establish a transparent and effective monitoring mechanism for aid distribution in the Gaza Strip (IDF Arabic Telegram channel, June 30, 2025).
• During the week, chaos continued in areas under Hamas control, including reports of looting, exchanges of fire, and executions:
  • Dr. Uday Dabour, from the medical aid society, reported that “unidentified gunmen” had seized 70 aid trucks en route to southern Gaza on the evening of June 25, 2025. He said Palestinian clans had provided the aid but failed to secure its delivery to residents after the gunmen attacked in areas under IDF control east of Khan Yunis, opened fire and wounded several drivers (aljazeera.net, June 26, 2025). The National Assembly of Clans, Tribes and Families in Gaza condemned the looting incident. They reportedly know the identities of the individuals and families responsible for the looting and warned that if the aid was not returned in full, the assembly would publish their names and hold them fully legally and socially accountable (Shehab X account, June 26, 2025).
  • A site affiliated with the Hamas security apparatus reported an armed robbery carried out by “collaborators with Israel” in eastern Deir al-Balah, during which aid convoys with trucks carrying flour, food and humanitarian supplies were attacked. According to the report, the attackers opened fire on the trucks and looted their contents. The identities of the suspects were publicly revealed, and names from well-known families were mentioned, along with a strong call to the family heads to stop “the outlaws who sully their families’ honor” (Telegram channel al-Siyad, June 27, 2025).
• Given the growing chaos, Hamas security forces intensified enforcement and repression of residents suspected of looting, criminal activity or collaboration with Israel:
  • Through its resistance security mechanism, Hamas announced the operation of revolutionary courts which would try those responsible for serious crimes such as murder, robbery, clan-based criminal activity, usury, and economic exploitation. The trials will reportedly be conducted according to the “revolutionary law” and harsh punishments will be imposed on those who attack internal security and social solidarity (alresala.net, June 24, 2025).

• • The Sahm Unit of the Hamas interior ministry attacked a group of looters who stole boxes of nutritional supplements from shipments near al-Baraka Square in Tel al-Sultan, Rafah. The unit’s men fired at the suspects’ legs and later forced flour merchants to sell a kilo of flour for ten shekels (Tel al-Sultan Telegram channel, June 26, 2025).
  • Hamas resistance security announced the formation of a deterrent field unit, subordinate to the security forces, which would be responsible for pursuing robbers, thieves, monopolistic merchants, and those committing moral and criminal offenses. An officer in resistance security said the force had been deployed for some time in most areas of the Gaza Strip and had already deterred criminals and closed several pending cases, including the recovery of stolen goods. It imposed curfews on specific areas as part of security plans to tighten control over criminals and confiscated knives and other weapons from individuals posing a direct threat to civilian safety. It said that in the near future, security measures would be intensified and the force’s activity expanded, which would help increase public safety and eliminate incidents of bullying, exploitation and theft (al-Akhres Telegram channel, June 26, 2025).
  • “Three sources close to Hamas” said the movement was struggling to survive in the Gaza Strip in the face of rebellious clans and relentless Israeli military pressure. One of the “sources” said Hamas desperately needed a pause in fighting, which would not only give relief to the exhausted Gazans (whose criticism of Hamas was growing) but would also allow Hamas to crush rogue elements, including several clans and aid thieves. One insider noted that Hamas would welcome a ceasefire, even for two months, to confront the clans whose influence was growing (Reuters, June 27, 2025).
• At a conference of leading clans and families in the Gaza Strip, a call was made to withdraw clan backing from anyone involved in collaboration with Israel, aid theft, profiteering or harm to social unity. Mukhtars and dignitaries spoke out sharply against corrupt merchants and criminals who exploited the crisis for personal gain and called for harsh action to be taken against such individuals, to view them as traitors to national collective values and to impose traditional sanctions such as ostracism, revocation of social status and expulsion from the community. A call was made to return to traditional methods of social enforcement, based on the belief that civil institutions were weak or nonexistent, and therefore mechanisms of honor, shame and disgrace had be activated as part of the fight for public order and social values (alresala.net, June 24, 2025).
• In response to demands from various sectors in the Strip to deny medical treatment to looters and collaborators “handled by the mechanisms” in the Gaza Strip, the Hamas ministry of health issued a directive requiring all medical institutions, governmental and non-governmental, to admit all patients and wounded persons without exception, regardless of medical cause. The directive said it was necessary to provide medical services equitably and without discrimination based on gender, race, age, color, political opinion, cause of injury or any other factor. It also stated that any violators would bear full moral and legal responsibility (Hamas ministry of health Telegram channel, June 25, 2025).
• In response to Hamas’ powerlessness and growing concerns about looters taking control of aid trucks, major families and clans in the Gaza Strip launched an independent initiative to ensure the entry of humanitarian convoys into the Strip. Guards from tribes and clans escorted the trucks, blocked access roads to criminals, and even opened fire at individuals who attempted to hijack the cargo, resulting in injuries to some looters (Radio Alam, June 25, 2025).
• In response to accusations by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz that Hamas was seizing humanitarian aid entering the Strip, the Hamas government media information office issued a statement accusing Israel of “deliberately spreading lies about humanitarian aid to justify the continued hunger, the closure of crossings and the planned creation of chaos.” The statement claimed that Israel’s allegations were “false libels” meant to legitimize the “siege,” and said it was the local families and clans who secured the aid convoys without any official Hamas involvement (Hamas government media information office Telegram channel, June 26, 2025).

International activity to break the “siege” on the Gaza Strip

• Arab and Turkish volunteers announced their intention to launch the al-Bunyan al-Marsous^[3] convoy, aiming to travel by land from Turkey through Syria and Jordan to the “Palestine” border, with volunteers also expected to arrive from Iraq and North African countries. Participants were instructed to bring tents, ID cards and personal gear, and to avoid contact with the authorities. Organizers confirmed they had contacted charity organizations, including the Turkish IHH Foundation, to provide basic needs such as food and tents (Arabi 21, June 26, 2025). However, on June 28, 2025, it was reported that the convoy’s launch had failed due to obstacles faced by the organizers, including a weak media campaign, poor organization in Syria, financial difficulties and “security suppression” in Jordan (Telegram channel of the al-Bunyan al-Marsous convoy, June 28, 2025).
• Following the seizure of the ship Madeleine, which was en route to the Gaza Strip on June 9, 2025, and the deportation of 12 activists from Israel, the Belgian-based Hind Rajab Foundation announced it had filed a formal complaint with the British police war crimes unit against the Israeli officers responsible for stopping the ship, including the navy commander and commandos. According to the foundation’s activists, they were responsible for an illegal interception in international waters, the use of chemicals, and the detention of 12 civilians (Arabi 21, June 26, 2025).

• Hamas announced that on June 28, 2025, it had sent a delegation to participate in the funeral ceremony in Tehran for Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officers and nuclear scientists killed “in the Zionist aggression” against Iran, although the delegation members’ identities were not disclosed. The movement stated it appreciated the bravery demonstrated by the Iranian people and armed forces in the “confrontation” [i.e., war] and expressed confidence in Iran’s continued progress, leadership in all fields and support for the Palestinian people (Hamas Telegram channel, June 29, 2025).
• Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin met with a Hamas delegation led by Shura Council chairman Muhammad Darwish. They discussed the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip following “Israel’s war of killing” and the steps needed to reach a ceasefire. They also discussed the need to ensure the immediate transfer of aid to the Strip and for the Palestinian “factions”^[4] to reach broad agreement “at this critical time.” The meeting noted Turkey’s efforts, along with the international community, to end the “humanitarian tragedy and destruction in the Palestinian enclave” (TRT Network X account, June 29, 2025).

Terrorist attacks

• No attacks were carried out this week.

Counterterrorism

• This past week Israeli security forces continued their broad counterterrorism operation in northern Samaria, in addition to ongoing activity in other areas of Judea and Samaria. The forces detained dozens of wanted Palestinians, including terrorists who were planning attacks, seized weapons and explosives, and confiscated funds used to finance terrorism. A large Hamas terrorist network was exposed in the Hebron area, and more than sixty terrorists were detained, some of whom had been involved in attacks in which Israelis were killed (IDF spokesperson, June 24 – July 1, 2025).
• Israeli security forces operating in Bethlehem reportedly detained Ibrahim Nasser al-Wardian and Issam Atta al-Sha’er, two former prisoners who had been released in the most recent deal between Israel and Hamas. The detentions were strongly criticized by Palestinians, as the prisoners had been released as part of an agreement perceived as a humanitarian step, and it was claimed that detaining them again violated the agreement and was part of a “policy of collective punishment” (A Different Nablus Telegram channel, June 29, 2025).

Clashes between Jewish settlers and Palestinians

• On June 25, 2025, dozens of Israeli settlers went to the village of al-Mughayyir near Ramallah and set fire to property and vehicles. Riots broke out which included mutual rock-throwing. IDF and police forces were called to the scene and dispersed the confrontation, during which an IDF officer was wounded. Subsequently, shots were fired and rocks were thrown at the IDF forces from inside the village. The soldiers returned fire and several Palestinians were wounded and killed. Five Israeli suspects were detained for questioning (IDF spokesperson, June 25, 2025). The Palestinian ministry of health reported that three Palestinians were killed and seven injured in the incident (Wafa, June 25, 2025). The clashes drew reactions in both the Palestinian and international arenas:
• Hussein al-Sheikh, PA deputy chairman, said that the violence and rampage of Jewish settlers, under the “protection of the occupation army,” was the result of a political decision made by the Israeli government and implemented by settlers. He added that the Israeli government’s behavior and decisions were pushing the region toward an explosion. He called on the international community to intervene urgently to protect the Palestinians (Hussein al-Sheikh’s X account, June 25, 2025).
• Rahwi Fattouh, chairman of the Palestinian National Council (PNC), accused the Israeli government of being fully responsible for the incident. He said it was an “ongoing crime,” not an isolated event, caused by a “policy of incitement, arming and official protection of settler militias which operate as a military extension of Israel.” He claimed government ministers, led by the defense minister, encouraged violence in practice by releasing Jews accused of murdering Palestinians and canceling administrative detention orders. Fattouh described the incident as systematic ethnic cleansing aimed at expelling residents. He called on the media and international bodies to recognize the “settler militias” as terrorist organizations and to take punitive measures against Israel (Wafa, June 26, 2025).
• Hamas expressed condolences for the three people killed in the clashes in the village of al-Mughayyir and referred to them as “jihad fighters.” The movement said that “the crimes of the occupation and its settlers” required a serious response and the urgent establishment of official and popular defense committees to confront them. It also said, “This crime must not go unpunished” (Hamas in Judea and Samaria Telegram channel, June 25, 2025).
• UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said that the UN condemned violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and called it “a deadly incident.” He called on Israel, as the “occupying power,” to protect civilians and humanitarian workers in the area, uphold international law and prosecute those responsible (Wafa, June 26, 2025).

International activity

• The office of PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian ministry of foreign affairs, and the PLO leadership welcomed the American president’s announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran and expressed hope that the move would also help advance a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and launch a comprehensive political process. Abbas sent a personal letter of thanks to Trump and expressed willingness to cooperate in achieving a just and comprehensive peace within a designated time frame (Wafa, June 24–25, 2025; PA foreign ministry Facebook page, June 24, 2025).
• The Palestinian National Council (PNC) called on the international community and the international justice system to move beyond mere condemnations of “Israeli crimes” and take steps which committed them to action, including imposing sanctions on Israel, severing ties with it, and prosecuting senior Israeli officials as war criminals. The Council complained that international silence amounted to “partnership in crime” and threatened regional stability. The Council accused the IDF of committing [alleged] “massacres” of civilians in the Gaza Strip and claimed that repeated strikes following the arrival of civilians to evacuate the wounded indicated an “intent to harm” as many innocent people as possible and constituted a “systematic policy of ethnic cleansing under the cover of the extreme right-wing government” (Wafa, June 27, 2025).
• PA Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa accused the “Israeli occupation” of being the greatest obstacle to development in “Palestine” and warned that the continuation of the status quo without international intervention could lead to a humanitarian and economic disaster threatening regional stability. In a speech at the fourth International Conference on Development Financing held in Seville, Spain, Mustafa reviewed developments since the start of the war in the Gaza Strip and the “escalation” in Judea and Samaria, and criticized Israeli actions there which he said harmed the PA’s ability to pay salaries and provide basic services. Mustafa said the upcoming international peace conference in New York was important for the establishment of a Palestinian state and for ending the “Israeli occupation.” He called for international support for three major initiatives to strengthen economic and political resilience: the Arab states’ plan to rehabilitate the Gaza Strip, the national development plan implemented by the PA government, and the outcome of the peace conference (Sada News, June 30, 2025).

• PA foreign minister Farsin Shaheen spoke with Egyptian foreign minister Badr Abdelatty, who said Egypt firmly supported the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. He said Egypt would continue to stand by the Palestinian people, especially at this sensitive stage of their national struggle. He also said he hoped that Egypt would host the international early reconstruction conference for the Gaza Strip immediately after reaching a ceasefire agreement. He further condemned “Israel’s arrogance in the occupied territories” and the policy of “hunger and collective punishment,” which he said constituted “a blatant violation” of international and humanitarian law, adding that Egypt firmly opposed Israel’s “aggression” in the Gaza Strip and Judea and Samaria (Extra News Telegram channel, June 30, 2025).

The activity of the PA security forces

• The security forces uncovered an “armed resistance” explosive device near the al-Shaheed Mosque in Tubas (Quds News X account, June 25, 2025).

Internal protest against the PA

• A demonstration was held in Hebron, organized by families of Palestinian prisoners and released prisoners, to protest cuts and the cessation of salaries provided by the PA. Protesters claimed the move was made without warning, under pressure from donor countries, and constituted a blow to the livelihood and dignity of the prisoners and their families. The demonstration was peaceful but accompanied by public anger, and protesters issued warnings of potential escalation if an immediate solution were not found (Jenin Post Telegram channel, June 24, 2025).

• Majida al-Masri, deputy secretary general of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, warned against the continued silence and passivity of the PA leadership in the face of increasing attacks by Jewish settlers on Palestinian civilians in Judea and Samaria. She said the situation made the public feel helpless and severely damaged the credibility and prestige of the Palestinian national movement. She added that the historic national movement, which had carried the banner of struggle through decades of “occupation and oppression,” could not afford to stand idly by while the rule of law and the safety of Palestinian civilians were collapsing. She warned that failure to respond could undermine public trust in the current leadership and cause alienation from traditional national frameworks (A Different Nablus Telegram channel, June 29, 2025).