Spotlight on Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (September 20-27, 2023)

Shots fired near Tulkarm

• On September 24 and September 26, 2023, shots were fired from the village of Shuweika (north of Tulkarm) at an IDF position. The IDF forces returned fire and searched for the shooters (IDF spokesman’s Twitter account, September 26, 2023).

Shots fired at a house in Hinanit

• On the morning of September 24, 2023, shots were fired at a house in the settlement of Hinanit (west of Jenin). A window was damaged. IDF forces initiated a search for the shooters (Israeli media, September 24, 2023).

Shots fired at an IDF position near Psagot

• On the night of September 22, 2023, a shot was fired at an IDF position near Psagot (east of Ramallah). No casualties or damage were reported. The forces conducted a search and found an empty rifle shell near al-Bireh (IDF spokesman’s Twitter account, September 22, 2023).

Vehicular ramming attack at the Qalandia Crossing

• On the afternoon of September 21, 2023, a Palestinian drove to the Qalandia Crossing in east Jerusalem armed with a box cutter and cut his hands [sic]. He continued driving and ran over and injured a security guard. The perpetrator of the attack, Milsan Khalwani, from Kfar ‘Aqab, who carried an Israeli ID card, stated he wanted to die (Israel Police Force, September 21, 2023).

Security guard stabbed at the light railway station in Givat HaMivtar

• On the evening of September 21, 2023, a Palestinian went to the Givat HaMivtar light railway station in Jerusalem and stabbed a security guard. Two other security guards shot and serious wounded the terrorist. The knife used in the attack was seized (Magen David Adom Twitter account, September 21, 2023; Israel Police Force Twitter account, September 21, 2023).

   
Right: The scene of the attack. Left: The knife used in the attack (Israel Police Force Arabic Facebook page, September 21, 2023)

• According to reports, the terrorist was Daoud ‘Ae’d Atiya, 19 years old, from Issawiya in east Jerusalem, a former prisoner. Amjad Abu Assab, chairman of the Jerusalem prisoners’ families committee, stated Daoud Atiya had been detained several times, had been placed under house arrest, had recently served 15 months in prison and was released on February 25, 2023 (al-Qastel website, September 22, 2023).

• Hamas spokesman Muhammad Hamada claimed the “heroic attack” expressed the Palestinians’ determination to respond to Israel’s continuous “crimes,” especially those against al-Aqsa Mosque. He noted it was the second attack in Jerusalem on the same day (after the vehicular ramming attack at the Qalandiya Crossing) and its “hero” was from Jerusalem. He warned Israel they would not sit idly by as Israel conducted a “religious war” (Palestine Online, September 22, 2023).

Shots fired an IDF force near Avni Hefetz

• On the evening of September 21, 2023, shots were fired at an IDF patrol near the settlement of Avni Hefetz (southeast of Tulkarm). No casualties or damage were reported. The force responded by firing at the shooters. A search revealed several empty shells (IDF spokesman’s Twitter account, September 22, 2023). The al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades (AAMB) – youths of revenge and liberation network in Tulkarm claimed responsibility for the shooting (FajerNews Telegram channel of al-Fajer TV in Tulkarm, September 21, 2023).

Shots fired at an IDF post near Tulkarm

• On the night of September 21, 2023, shots were fired at an IDF post near the village of Irtah (south of Tulkarm). No casualties or damage were reported. A search revealed several empty shell casings (IDF spokesman’s Twitter account, September 21, 2023)

Stabbing attack prevented

• On the morning of September 21, 2023, a 60 year-old Palestinian from the Gaza Strip was detained at the entrance to the new central bus station in Tel Aviv. A search of his belongings revealed two knives. He was detained and taken for interrogation (Israel Police force, September 21, 2023).

Critical Terrorist Attacks in Judea and Samaria since November 2020^[1]

Counterterrorism Activities

• This past week the Israeli security forces continued intensive counterterrorism activities in Judea and Samaria, focusing on Nablus, Birzeit University and Tulkarm. They detained Palestinians suspected of involvement in terrorism and confiscated large quantities of weapons:

Nur al-Shams refugee camp

• Before dawn on September 24, 2023, Israeli security forces operating in the Nur al-Shams refugee camp (east of Tulkarm) located a building with a room used for directing combat. It contained surveillance and other technological devices. Another room was found containing dozens of IEDs, ready for detonation, and equipment for manufacturing IEDs. During the operation, IDF heavy engineering equipment revealed a large number of IEDs planted in advance under the roads to attack incoming and/or outgoing IDF forces. During the activity Palestinians threw IEDs at the forces and shot at them; the soldiers returned fire (IDF spokesman, September 24, 2023).

• The Tulkarm Battalion of the Jerusalem Brigades, the PIJ’s military-terrorist wing, announced that its operatives had exchanged fire with IDF forces for more than five hours, part of what they called “Operation Sword of the Camp.” They said they had prepared an ambush in the al-Manshiya neighborhood and detonated mines, putting several IDF vehicles out of commission. They also said they had detonated IEDs and clashed with the forces in several streets in the camp. The announcement claimed the IDF activity had failed and the fighters of the Tulkarm Battalion were in excellent condition, adding that the activity was only a small part of what they were preparing (Tulkarm Battalion Telegram channel, September 24, 2023). Hamas’s Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades also reported that their fighters, along with others, had been involved in clashes and attacked an IDF bulldozer with a powerful homemade IED, putting it out of commission (Palinfo, September 24, 2023).

   
The aftermath of the Israeli security force activity in the Nur al-Shams refugee camp (Wafa, September 24, 2023)

• The government hospital in Tulkarm reported two deaths (Wafa, September 24, 2023):
• Asid Farhan Abu Ali Jabaawi, 21 years old. Hamas issued a mourning notice for him, claiming he was a “jihad fighter” (Hamas website, September 24, 2023). Hamas’ military-terrorist wing issued a statement claiming he was an operative in its ranks (Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades website, September 24, 2023).

• Abdel Rahman Suleiman Abu Dagash, 32 years old, married and father of two. According to claims he was unarmed and shot while standing with his brother near his home. His body was wrapped for burial in the Palestinian flag (Palestinian TV Facebook page, September 24, 2023).

     
Right: Abd al-Rahman Abu Dagash (Facebook page of his cousin, Shaher Abu Dagash, September 24, 2023). Left: Abu Dagash’ funeral (al-Fajer TV from Tulkarm Facebook page, September 24, 2023)

• Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for Mahmoud Abbas, condemned the “dangerous Israeli escalation” and the ongoing daily killings, the most recent of which were the “cold-blooded executions” in Tulkarm. He claimed Israel sought to drag the region into violence and escalation through its continuous aggression and calls from Jewish extremists “to storm al-Aqsa Mosque.” The PA foreign ministry claimed the “aggression” against the Nur al-Shams refugee camp and its results were “war crimes and crimes against humanity.” He demanded the UN take steps to provide international protection for the Palestinians (Wafa, September 24, 2023). Hamas and the PIJ in Judea and Samaria also condemned the IDF’s activities (PIJ website, September 24, 2023).

Birzeit University

• On the night of September 23, 2023, Israeli security forces detained eight Palestinians at Birzeit University (north of Ramallah), who were planning a terrorist attack in the immediate future. The detainees were students, activists in the Islamic bloc (Hamas’ student faction). According to an Israeli Security Agency investigation, they were recruited by Hamas operatives from the Gaza Strip and received weapons and ammunition. During the operation, the forces located propaganda materials and technological equipment (IDF Twitter account, September 24, 2023). According to reports, among those arrested were the chairman of the student council (a released prisoner) and several other Islamic Bloc activists [sic] (Islamic Bloc Telegram channel in Birzeit University, September 24, 2023).

• Hamas issued a statement condemning the detentions (Hamas website, September 24, 2023). The Islamic Bloc at Birzeit University held a press conference where it was stated that the students, who were detained on the university campus, had been hiding from the PA security forces. Hamas condemned the detentions and called on the various institutions to exert pressure to have them released. He also called on the PA’s security force to release students imprisoned because of their activities in the universities, and to stop persecuting and harassing them (Safa, September 24, 2023; Shehab, September 24, 2023). The Islamic Bloc said in a press release that Israel’s claims regarding the seizure of weapons in the detained students’ possession and the exposure of the preparations for terrorist attacks were false (Islamic Bloc at Birzeit University Telegram channel, September 24, 2023).
• The PA also condemned the detentions. The ministry of higher education called them “a blatant violation of all international norms and conventions which denounce violating the sanctity of universities and educational institutions.” Rawhi Fatouh, chairman of the Palestinian National Council, also condemned the detentions as “a blatant violation of all international norms and conventions” (Wafa, September 24, 2023).

Nablus

• On the night of September 22, 2023, Israeli security forces operated in the Rafidia neighborhood in west Nablus to detain Khaled ‘Adel Abd al-Wahhab Tabila, wanted for involvement in shooting attacks and other terrorist activity against Israeli targets. The forces surrounded his house and he surrendered. During the activity, Palestinians threw IEDs, rocks and Molotov cocktails at the forces, who responded with riot-dispersal measures (IDF spokesman’s Twitter account, September 22, 2023).
• Ahmed Jabril, manager of emergencies at the Red Crescent in Nablus, said that during the clashes two Palestinians had been injured by live fire, four by rubber bullets, and 130 had been affected by tear gas (Wafa, September 21, 2023). It was reported that the detainee, Khaled Tabila, known as al-Baladi, was one of the Lion’s Den group’s founders and commanders. Tabila served in the Palestinian Presidential Guard and about two years ago joined the “armed resistance” [terrorist networks attacking Israeli civilians and soldiers]. A few months ago he surrendered to the Palestinian security forces^[2] (al-Araby al-Jadeed, September 22, 2023).

Kafr Dan

• On the night of September 21-22, 2023, Israeli security forces operated in Kafr Dan (northwest of Jenin), where they located and destroyed explosives. During the activity, Palestinians shot at the forces and thew an IED at them; the forces responded with gunfire. IED vehicles were damaged (IDF spokesman’s Twitter account, September 22, 2023).
• The ministry of health in Ramallah reported the death of Abdallah Imad Abu al-Hassan, 16 years old, from the village of al-Yamoun (Wafa, September 22, 2023). The Jenin Battalion of the PIJ’s military-terrorist wing announced that Abdallah Abu Hassan, 18 years old, was one of its fighters (Jenin Battalion Telegram channel, September 22, 2023). His body was wrapped for burial in a PIJ flag.

   
Right: Jenin Battalion mourning notice (Jenin Battalion Telegram channel, September 22, 2023). Left: The funeral held for Abu al-Hassan in al-Yamoun (Wafa, September 22, 2023)

• Rawhi Fatouh, chairman of the Palestinian National Council, claimed that “the aggression of fascist occupation army” in Kafr Dan and the killing of Abdallah Abu al-Hassan were “evidence” that the Netanyahu government continued to promote its anti-Palestinian program (Wafa, September 22, 2023). Hamas stated that the blood of the martyrs would not be [shed] in vain (Hamas website, September 22, 2023). The PIJ in Judea and Samaria stated that Israel’s “ongoing crimes” against the Palestinians and violations against the holy places would not extinguish the flame of “resistance” [prevent terrorist attacks] (PIJ website, September 22, 2023).

Hamas display of force in Jenin

• On September 22, 2023, operatives of the Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military-terrorist wing, held a military display in the Jenin refugee camp. They walked around the Jenin refugee camp carrying weapons and wearing Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades headbands. They also paid condolence calls to the families of the dead, among them the two operatives who were killed on September 19, 2023. An Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades delegation also visited the family home of the prisoner Jamal Abu al-Hija, a senior Hamas operative in Jenin, and congratulated his wife after she was released from the hospital (Filastin al-A’an, September 22, 2023).

   
Right: The Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades show of force in the Jenin refugee camp. Left: A condolence call at the home of the Mahmoud al-Ararawi (Filastin al-A’an, September 22, 2023)

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 September 2021

Annual Distribution of Rocket Hits since 2006

Clashes along the Israel-Gaza Strip border

• This past week there were violent clashes along the border security fence every day. Dozens of Palestinians rioted each time, gathering at locations near the fence. They shot at the IDF forces, threw IEDs, tried to climb the fence and launched incendiary balloons at the Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip border, causing several fires. In response the IDF attacked Hamas positions near the Gaza border several times:
• On the evening of September 26, 2023, Gazans rioted in eastern Gaza City and Rafah. According to reports, shots were fired at IDF vehicles and incendiary balloons were launched at Israeli communities near the border. A fire broke out in western Negev to the east and north of the Gaza Strip. The Palestinians claimed the “demonstrators” had set fire to an IDF sniper position. The ministry of health in Gaza reported 11 wounded (Safa, September 26, 2023). In response, the IDF attacked Hamas positions in eastern Gaza City and Rafah with a tank and a UAV (Israeli media, September 26, 2023). Hamas spokesman Abd al-Latif al-Qanua claimed that attacking the posts, closing the Erez Crossing and continuing the closure of Gaza were desperate attempts to exert pressure and would not succeed in breaking [the will of] the Palestinian people (Shehab, September 26, 2023).

• On September 25, 2023, there were riots in east Gaza City (Sons of al-Zawari Units in Rafah Facebook page, September 25, 2023). Rioters burned tires and it was reported that IEDs were detonated near the border security fence; IDF forces shot at the rioters. (Safa, September 25, 2023; Shehab, September 25, 2023; Sons of al-Zawari Facebook page, September 25, 2023). In response, IDF UAVs attacked a Hamas military-terrorist wing post close to the source of the gunfire. IDF forces also shot at a terrorist who was shooting at IDF forces. IDF surveillance identified two suspects who tried to cross the barrier from the southern Gaza Strip into Israeli territory; they were detained and taken for questioning (IDF spokesman’s Twitter account, September 25, 2023).
• On September 24, 2023, incendiary balloons were launched during riots along the border security fence, causing three fires in the Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip border. An IED was thrown at IDF forces near al-Bureij in the central Gaza Strip. In response, the IDF used a UAV to attack two positions of Hamas’ military-terrorist wing near al-Bureij and Jabaliya (IDF spokesman’s Twitter account, September 24, 2023). The ministry of health in Gaza reported six wounded. According to reports an IDF UAV was used to shoot at an observation post in east al-Bureij and attack a restraint force position between Jabalia and Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip (Safa, September 24 2023; Shehab, September 24, 2023).

   
Right: Burning tires in east Jabaliya (Facebook page of photojournalist Anas al-Sharif, September 24, 2023). Left: Sons of al-Zawari operatives launch balloons. The shirt has the Sons of al-Zawari logo and below it, “Death to Israel” (Sons of al-Zawari in Rafah Telegram channel, September 24, 2023)

• On September 23, 2023, Palestinians rioted east of Gaza City and Khan Yunis. They shot at IDF forces and launched incendiary balloons. In response, the IDF attacked a Hamas military position near the riot center and from which a shot was fired (IDF spokesman’s Twitter account, September 23, 2023). The ministry of health in Gaza reported four wounded (Safa, September 23, 2023; Shehab, September 23, 2023; SND website Twitter account, September 23 2023).

   
Right: Burning tires in east Rafah (Palinfo Twitter account, September 23, 2023). Left: New IEDs the Sons of al-Zawari claim to have started using (Sons of al-Zawari in Rafah Telegram channel, September 24, 2023)

• On September 22, 2023, incendiary balloons were launched during riots and caused several fires in the Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip. The Sons of al-Zawari unit in Rafah reported it threw dozens of IEDs at the security fence and IDF vehicles and that dozens of incendiary balloons had been launched. The ministry of health in Gaza reported 31 wounded (Safa, September 22, 2023; Shehab, September 22, 2023; Sons of al-Zawari in Rafah Facebook page, September 22, 2023). In response, the IDF attacked two positions of Hamas’ military-terrorist wing near the riot centers and from which incendiary balloons had been launched. The IDF also fired tank shells at another position (IDF spokesman Twitter account, September 22, 2023). The Palestinians claimed three observation posts in eastern Gaza had been attacked, and IDF artillery had attacked a restraint force position in the Malka area and a new observation point near the al-Zeitoun neighborhood in eastern Gaza (Shehab, September 22, 2023). According to Fatah-affiliated surfers, the Hamas restraint force confiscated guns and grenades from rioters and allowed them “only” to burn tires and launch balloons (Twitter account of @ Hanialhasn1999, September 22, 2023; Twitter account @marasel_marasel, September 22, 2023).

   
Right: Guns and grenades allegedly confiscated from the rioters. The Arabic in red at the top of the photograph reads, “al-Baraa’ Units” (Twitter account of @Hanialhasn1999, September 22, 2023). Left: A video of an IED exploding in east Khan Yunis (Shehab Twitter account, September 22, 2023)

• On September 21, 2023, there were riots in the northern Gaza in support of al-Aqsa Mosque and the “resistance” in Judea and Samaria. Israeli security forces reported returning fire at a Palestinian who shot at them (IDF Twitter account, September 21, 2023). The ministry of health in Gaza reported that Ahmed Khalil Fayiz al-Madhoun, 19 years old from Beit Lahia, had been seriously injured (Safa, September 21, 2023; Shehab, September 21, 2023). It was later reported that the “revolutionary youth” had decided to resume night harassment activities and called on the public to participate in the activity in east Jabaliya (Twitter account of the Palestinian al-Akhrar movement, September 21, 2023; Shehab, September 21 2023). According to the Palestinian social media, trucks with Palestinians and tires arrived at the scene (Safa Twitter account, September 21, 2023). It was also reported that incendiary balloons had been launched (al-Aqsa TV Twitter account, September 21, 2023).

•  On September 20, 2023, Palestinians rioted in eastern Gaza City and eastern Khan Yunis. According to reports, IEDs were detonated to attack IDF forces, who responded with riot-dispersal measures. The ministry of health in Gaza reported four wounded (Safa, September 20, 2023).

   
Right: Rioters burn tires in east Jabaliya. Left: Rioters burn tires in east Khan Yunis (Shehab Twitter account, September 20, 2023)

A flotilla in the Open the Gaza Ports campaign

• In the meantime, while Gazans were rioting along the border, an international campaign was launched in the Gaza Strip to break the “siege” with the slogan “Open the Gaza Ports.”^[3] On September 23, 2020, several boats sailed from the port of Gaza towards the northern Gaza Strip. At a press conference held in the Gaza port, Salama Maarouf, head of the government media information bureau in the Gaza Strip, claimed campaign members were holding events overseas at the same time. He said the “siege” affected all sectors and accused Israel of damaging the Gaza Strip’s health, fishing, energy, infrastructure and economy (Shehab, September 23, 2023; Filastin al-A’an, September 23, 2023).

   
Right: Salama Maarouf launches the campaign in Gaza f (Shehab Twitter account, September 23, 2023). Left: The “flotilla” (Filastin al-A’an, September 23, 2023)

The Erez Crossing remains closed

• In light of the continued violent clashes along the border security fence, Israel decided to leave the Erez Crossing closed to Palestinians who enter for work in Israel. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant approved the opening of the Kerem Shalom Crossing for the delivery of fuel and merchandise into the Strip (Israeli media, September 25, 2023). The Erez Crossing has been closed to Palestinian workers for more than 12 days.
• Sami al-Amsi, chairman of the general federation of workers’ unions in the Gaza Strip, said that not being able to work in Israel had cost workers the loss of $1.3 million per day. He called on the relevant parties to put pressure on Israel to open the crossing (al-Andalou News, September 24 2023).

Tor Wennesland’s efforts at mediation

• With the objective of instilling calm and reaching a settlement, Tor Wennesland, special UN envoy to the Middle East peace process, initiated talks with Israeli officials and figures in the Gaza Strip; so far no breakthrough has been achieved. “Informed sources” said Hamas had imposed conditions for an agreement to stop the riots, including increasing the quota of workers in Israel to 20,000, and arranging the activities of the manpower companies Israel refused to work with. Hamas also demanded the financial grant, whose sum Qatar had reduced, to be restored to the original amount of money (al-Quds, September 27, 2023).

Another death from the IED explosion near the border security fence

• The ministry of health in Gaza announced the death of Majdi Ihab Ghabain, 18 years old ,from Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, who was wounded when an IED exploded on September 13, 2023 (Shehab, September 25, 2023). The Salah al-Din Brigades, the Popular Resistance’s military-terrorist wing, and the Sons of al-Qoqa Units, issued a mourning notice for him (Popular Resistance Movement website, September 25, 2023). It brought the death toll from the explosion to six.

Haniyeh visits the photojournalist injured in the riots in the Gaza Strip

• Isma’il Haniyeh, head of Hamas’ political bureau, paid a visit to Ashraf Abu Amra, a Palestinian photographer who is hospitalized in Istanbul. He was injured while covering riots near the security fence in the eastern Gaza Strip and evacuated to Turkey. Abu Amra, who has been working for al-Andalou News since 2013, was brought to a hospital on Istanbul on September 18, 2023 and underwent surgery. Haniyeh said many media personnel had been injured and killed in the incidents, which “proved,” he claimed, that the “truth” and the narrative they presented to the world worried Israel.^[4] He sent his congratulations to the “revolutionary youth” at the Gaza Strip border who demand an end to the “siege” and called them an integral part of the Palestinian homeland and the important Palestinian issues of Judea, Samaria, Jerusalem, the prisoners and the refugees (al-Andalou News, September 22, 2023).

Explosion at an Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades post in Khan Yunis

• Two Hamas operatives were injured in explosion at a Hamas military-terrorist wing post in Khan Yunis (Shehab, September 23, 2023).

Unveiling a monument to mark the IDF’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip

• On September 20, 2023, the so-called “Resistance Day” monument will be inaugurated in front of the Rafah Crossing on the Gazan side, symbolizing the “heroism of the resistance” until Israel disengaged from Gaza in 2005. The spokesperson of the joint operations room of the Palestinian terrorist organizations gave a speech claiming the Palestinians, “who expelled Israel from Gaza 18 years ago,” knew the best path to take, and that historical experience and living examples proved to them that their rights would only be restored by the force of arms. He also claimed that what was happening today in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem was an expression of the deep-rooted belief in the efficacy of “resistance” [terrorism] and correctness of the path. He claimed that during the occupation of Gaza, the Palestinians invented different methods of confrontation, forging ahead on their own to produce IEDs, shells and rockets. They also dug underground and surprised the Israelis in the tunnel war which “paralyzed” them (Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades website, September 20, 2023).

   
Unveiling the monument in front of the Rafah crossing (Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades website, September 20, 2023)

Distributing aid from Qatar to needy families in the Gaza Strip

• Mohammed al-Emadi, chairman of Qatar’s National Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza, said that the Committee, in cooperation with the Qatar Development Fund, had begun giving $100 to each of 100,000 needy families in the Gaza Strip on September 24, 2023. Aziza al-Kahlout, spokesperson for the ministry of social development in the Gaza Strip, said the grant for the month of September would be awarded to 10,000 new beneficiaries (Palestine Online, September 23, 2023).

Meeting in Beirut

• On September 23, 2023, Saleh al-‘Arouri, deputy head of Hamas’ political bureau; Ziyad al-Nakhalah, PIJ secretary general; and Jamil Mazhar, PFLP deputy secretary general, met in Beirut. They discussed the latest developments and ways to deal with Israel’s actions against the Palestinians, especially Israel’s threats to carry out targeted assassinations. They said they were proud of the growing “resistance” in Judea and Samaria and the role of the “resistance” fighters in dealing with Israel and their “high-quality attacks,” which “confused and exhausted the IDF soldiers and settlers.” They emphasized the importance of the armed “resistance”-led escalation against Israel. They also condemned the continuation of the PA’s political detentions and called for it to stop security coordination with Israel (Hamas website, September 24, 2023).

The financial crisis in the Gaza Strip

• The ministry of finance in the Gaza Strip announced that only 55% of salaries for August would be paid to public sector employees (ministry of finance in Gaza Telegram, September 18, 2023). Sources in the ministry said that the reason for the pay cut was the continuation of the financial crisis resulting from the decrease in local revenues (Filastin al-A’an, September 18, 2023).
• The de facto Hamas administration in the Gaza Strip faces a serious financial crisis, forcing it to reduce employee salaries. According to the data of the budget and finance committee in the Legislative Council in Gaza, the accumulated financial deficit from the beginning of 2021 until the middle of 2023 was more than $30.2 million, which recently increased to almost $40.75 million. The ministry of finance in Gaza does not present a clear financial budget to the bodies authorized by the Legislative Council or to civilian society organizations, but merely present a plan of financial payments based on obligations and expectations of revenues according to the existing economic situation.
• Economist Usama Nofal from Gaza noted that the majority of the government’s income in Gaza came from various taxes and charges, and they were decreasing due to the decline in economic activity in the Strip. Other factors for the situation were the decrease in international projects and the increase in delivery costs from Egypt to the Gaza Strip. Muhammad Abu Jayab from Gaza, an economic expert, indicated other factors for the decrease in income, including the depreciation of the shekel against the dollar and the increase in the dollar against the Egyptian pound, which affected the Qatari grant allocated for the purchase of fuel (al-Araby al-Jadeed, September 22, 2023).

Mahmoud Abbas’ speech at the UN General Assembly

• On September 21, 2023, Mahmoud Abbas delivered a speech before the United Nations General Assembly. The main topics were the following (Wafa, September 21, 2023):
• The implementation of the agreements with Israel: He claimed that 30 years after the Oslo Accords, which Israel had totally discarded, the Palestinians hoped for an end to the Israeli “occupation,” the establishment of an independent state with the June 1967 borders and a resolution for the issue of the Palestinian refugees. He also claimed that “the Israeli, racist right-wing government continued attacking the Palestinian people, destroying houses, holding 600 Palestinian bodies and implementing apartheid policies before the very eyes of the world.
• The peace process: He accused Israel of destroying the ideologies of the two-state solution, leaving them only the option of demanding an international peace conference of all countries concerned with peace in the Middle East. He demanded protection from the occupation and “the terrorist Israeli settlers,” claiming that anyone who though there would be peace in the Middle East without the Palestinians’ receiving their full rights was mistaken.
• The holy places: He claimed Israel continued its “aggression” in Jerusalem and against the holy sites of Muslims and Jews, despite the international recognition that al-Aqsa mosque belongs to the Muslims. In addition digging tunnels under and around al-Aqsa threatened its collapse. He called on the international community to assume its responsibility for the events at al-Aqsa.
• Peaceful popular resistance: He claimed the Palestinian people defended itself non-violently and would continue until the end of the “occupation
• The international arena: He called on the countries that did not recognize the state of Palestine to recognize it as a full member of the United Nations. He also demanded that Britain and the United States bear responsibility for the Balfour Declaration. He said they would not forget their history and suffering, and demanded “an apology [,] reparations [and] compensation in accordance with international law.”
• International aid: He said that as long as they suffered under the “occupation” they would need financial aid from the international community.
• Reactions in the Palestinian and Arab media were disappointment at his lack of innovation, claiming he had repeated what he had said in previous speeches, and at the lack of a strategy for a struggle against Israel (al-Araby al-Jadeed, September 21, 2023). Nasser al-Laham, a Palestinian political commentator and chairman of the Ma’an News Agency, claimed the speech did not express the anger of the Palestinian street in Judea and Samaria and the despair of the residents of the Gaza Strip (Ma’an, September 23, 2023).

   
Right: Mahmoud Abbas delivers his speech at the General Assembly (Wafa, September 21, 2023). Left: A cartoon mocking Mahmoud Abbas’ often repeated speaking points. In Arabic he says, “I come to you to tell you…” and the UN responds, “We know, very funny…” (Amad website, September 22, 2023)

• On the sidelines of the General Assembly, Mahmoud Abbas met with Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary general, to discuss the latest developments in the Palestinian arena. Mahmoud Abbas emphasized the need for the UN to fulfill its duty and provide the Palestinians with international protection. Guterres said he hoped the Palestinians would receive their rights, including full UN membership, before the end of his second term as secretary general. He said he would visit the PA at the end of October 2023, and on September 22, 2023 would hold a meeting to raise financial support for UNRA (Wafa, September 21, 2023).

The Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) meeting

• On September 20, 2023, a meeting of the countries contributing to the PA (AHLC) was held at UN headquarters with the participation of thirty countries and international organizations. PA Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh gave a speech in which he emphasized their need for international assistance to overcome political and financial challenges, claiming that “investing in the Palestinians is investing in the peace and stability of the region.” He said international aid to the PA had dropped from 30% of the PA’s total budget to a mere 3%. He also attacked the Israeli government for its actions against the Palestinians, claiming Israel wanted to cause the PA to collapse. He claimed Israel’s $800 million deductions from the tax revenues it collected for the PA created an annual deficit which threatened its ability to function. Shukri Bashara, the PA minister of finance called for international pressure to be exerted on Israel to stop its deductions and for aid to the PA to be restored to its pre-2016 level of $600 million annually (Wafa, September 20, 2023).

   
Muhammad Shtayyeh at the AHLC meeting (Muhammad Shtayyeh’s Facebook page, September 20, 2023)

Saudi Arabian delegation visits Ramallah

• A delegation led by Naif bin Bandar al-Sudairi, the Saudi Arabian ambassador to Jordan and non-resident ambassador to the Palestinian Authority, arrived in Ramallah for an official visit (Ma’an, September 26, 2023). He met with Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki, who welcomed al-Sudairi and praised the depth of the PA’s ties with Saudi Arabia. He expressed appreciation for its support of the rights of the Palestinians in all forums, and especially for the efforts it made on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly discussions during the last session (Wafa, September 26, 2023).
• Speaking to the media, al-Sudairi emphasized Saudi Arabia’s adherence to the Arab peace initiative as a basis for resolving the Palestinian issue. He noted that his country was planning to open a consulate in east Jerusalem. He drew attention to the statements of the Saudi Arabian crown prince, who expressed his great interest in the Palestinian issue and the Palestinians, and the statements of the foreign minister regarding the importance of the Palestinian issue, and resolving it in a way that would lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state (Ma’an, September 26, 2023).

   
Right: al-Sudairi meets with al-Maliki. Left: The joint press conference (Wafa, September 26, 2023)

• Meeting with Mahmoud Abbas, he presented his credentials as a non-resident ambassador and consul general of Saudi Arabia in Jerusalem. Mahmoud Abbas welcomed him and praised his visit as important. He claimed that his appointment as Saudi ambassador to “Palestine” would contribute to strengthening the ties between the two countries and the two peoples. The ambassador expressed hope that the visit would be the beginning of strengthening ties in all fields (Wafa, September 26, 2023). Al-Sudairi also met with Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary of the PLO’s Executive Committee (Hussein al-Sheikh’s Twitter account, September 26, 2023).

   
Right: Mahmoud Abbas receives the ambassador’s credentials (Wafa, September 26, 2023). Left: Al-Sudairi meets with Hussein al-Sheikh (Hussein al-Sheikh’s Twitter account, September 26, 2023)

• The visit took place shortly after the historic statement by the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Muhammad bin Salman, regarding the progress of normalization with Israel and who said that contrary to the Palestinians’ reaction to other Arab countries which normalized relations with Israel, the Palestinians welcomed the ambassador and did not speak against his country’s measures with Israel.

Palestinian interior minister visits Hebron

• Following several incidents of violence against high-ranking officials in Hebron, Ziyad Hab al-Reeh, the PA minister of the interior, on orders from Mahmoud Abbas, visited the Hebron district and met with the heads of the security forces, the secretaries of Fatah branches and representatives of the district clans (Facebook page of the PA ministry of the interior, September 25, 2023). In the Hebron district there is currently an acting governor replacing the governor who was recently retired by order of Mahmoud Abbas.

   
Ziyad al-Reeh at meetings in the Hebron district (PA ministry of the interior Facebook page, September 25, 2023)

Rocks, Molotov cocktails and other attacks

• In Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem Palestinians continue throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at Israeli vehicles driving on the roads. Prominent this past week was the number of Molotov cocktails thrown at Israeli vehicles. The events were the following:^[5]
  • September 25, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near Azzoun (east of Qalqilya). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
  • September 25, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near Jama’in (southwest of Nablus). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
  • September 24, 2023: Molotov cocktails were thrown at Israeli vehicles near a junction (north of Hebron). No casualties or damage were reported.
  • September 23, 2023: A Molotov cocktail was thrown at an Israeli vehicle near Shuqba (northwest of Ramallah). No casualties or damage were reported.
  • September 23, 2023: Molotov cocktails were thrown at an Israeli bus near the Carmei Tsur Junction (north of Hebron). No casualties or damage were reported.
  • September 22, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near the British Police Station Junction (west of Ramallah). A passenger was injured and the vehicle was damaged.
  • September 22, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near Azzoun. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
  • September 21, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near the Givat Asaf Junction (east of Ramallah). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
  • September 21, 2023: Rocks and a Molotov cocktail were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near Dir Istiya (northwest of Salfit). No casualties or damage were reported.
  • September 21, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near ‘Aboud (northwest of Ramallah). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
  • September 21, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near the Givat Asaf Junction (east of Ramallah). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
  • September 21, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near the village of al-Mania (south of Bethlehem). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.

• • September 21, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle in Teqoa (south of Bethlehem). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.

   
The shattered window and the rock that shattered in Teqoa.

• • September 21, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near Yitav in the Jordan Valley. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
  • September 20, 2023: Molotov cocktails were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near Umm Safa (north of Ramallah). No casualties or damage were reported.
  • September 20, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle in Hawwara (south of Nablus). No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
  • September 20, 2023: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near Nebi Elias (east of Qalqilya). No casualties or damage were reported.