Spotlight on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (November 12 – 19 , 2024)

IDF operations in the Gaza Strip

• This past week, the IDF operations continued to focus on the northern Gaza Strip, along with ongoing activity in the Rafah area in the south and the Netzarim Corridor in the center, and attacks against terrorist targets in other areas in the Gaza Strip. IDF forces hit dozens of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist operatives from the air and from the ground, including those involved in the October 7, 2023, attack. The forces located and destroyed large quantities of weapons and other terrorist infrastructure. Some of the terrorist operatives and weapons were targeted near civilian sites.^[2] During the week, three IDF fighters were killed in fighting in the northern Gaza Strip (IDF Spokesperson, November 12-19, 2024).
• Northern Gaza Strip: IDF forces continued their activity in the Jabalia refugee camp and Beit Lahia. They eliminated terrorist operatives, located various weapons, and destroyed Hamas military headquarters. During the operation, the forces also destroyed several barrels of a rocket launcher aimed at firing at the Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip (IDF Spokesperson, November 12-19, 2024).

   
Weapons and launchers found in the Jabalia area (IDF Spokesperson, November 12, 2024)

• Hamas authorities in the Gaza Strip continued to accuse Israel of killing dozens of civilians and deliberately damaging civilian infrastructure in the northern Gaza Strip:
  • Jabalia Mayor Mazen al-Najjar claimed that the forces had destroyed entire residential buildings and infrastructure in the refugee camp and that all the water wells were out of service (Palestine Post Telegram channel, November 13, 2024).
  • The director-general of the Hamas Ministry of Health, Munir al-Barash, claimed that the Israeli airstrikes were carried out late at night to make it difficult for the rescue forces to evacuate the casualties (al-Jazeera, November 17, 2024).
  • The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that dozens of patients were evacuated from hospitals in the northern Gaza Strip to al-Ma’amadani and al-Shifaa hospitals in Gaza City. The situation in hospitals in the northern Gaza Strip is reportedly deteriorating and there are many patients suffering from serious conditions (Sawt al-Sha’ab-Gaza Telegram channel, November 18, 2024).
  • Dr. Hussam Abu Safiyeh, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, said the health system in the northern Gaza Strip is facing extremely difficult conditions, including a severe shortage of medical equipment and doctors, exacerbated by the detention of 45 medical staff members (Palestinian Media Center Telegram channel, November 19, 2024).
• The southern Gaza Strip: Hamas-affiliated and PIJ-affiliated media claimed that IDF forces had allegedly destroyed the compound of the Abu Yusuf al-Najjar government hospital in eastern Rafah (Telegram channels of Alresalah, Paltoday and al-Jazeera, November 19, 2024).

Launching rockets

• This past week, four rockets were fired from the northern Gaza Strip at Sderot and the Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip. Three rockets were intercepted, and another fell in an open area. There were no casualties, and no damage was reported (IDF Spokesperson, November 12-19, 2024). The military wings of Hamas and the PIJ claimed responsibility for the launches (Paltoday Telegram channel and Shehab News Agency Telegram channel, November 12-19, 2024).

• Senior Hamas figure Taher al-Nunu discussed the possibility that the body of Yahya al-Sinwar, head of Hamas’ political bureau, which is held by Israel, would be used as a bargaining chip in the negotiations. He said al-Sinwar himself would not agree to such a possibility because the bodies of the shaheeds were a “big thing,” and that although there had been deals in the past for exchanging bodies, they would not allow Israel to “blackmail” the Palestinian people. Al-Nunu also denied that al-Sinwar was willing to leave the Gaza Strip as part of an agreement to end the war. He stressed that they do not consider the negotiations as dealing only with “prisoners,” but as a means of bringing an end to the “Israeli aggression” (Masr Times, November 9, 2024).
• A Hamas “source” said that the movement strongly rejects the American proposal for the safe exit of its members from the Gaza Strip, as presented by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The “source” claimed that this proposal would “permanently eliminate the Palestinian cause” and does not provide protection against assassinations anywhere (Al-Arabiya X account, November 14, 2024).
• Bassem Na’im, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, said the movement is ready for a ceasefire “immediately,” but claimed that no serious proposals had been received from Israel since the killing of former political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh at the end of July 2024. According to him, the last proposal that was close to a comprehensive agreement was discussed on July 2, 2024, and included a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal, and an exchange of “prisoners.” However, he said, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had chosen “a different path.” Na’im added that Hamas would consider positively any proposal that included a comprehensive ceasefire, a military withdrawal, the return of displaced persons, a significant “prisoner” exchange deal, the entry of humanitarian aid, and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip (Rai al-Youm, November 15, 2024).
• A “senior Hamas official” said that contact with the field command in the Gaza Strip, responsible for securing the Israeli hostages, had been cut off about a month ago due to increased security measures aimed at safeguarding this “important bargaining chip” in negotiations. However, he denied any disconnect between the Hamas political leadership abroad and the leadership on the ground in the Gaza Strip, claiming that all decisions are made in coordination between the various leadership levels. The “official” also revealed that before the US presidential elections, Washington asked for information and video footage of the American hostages, but the “resistance” leadership refused, as the American side had not provided serious indications of halting “aggression” or reaching an agreement to stop the war. According to him, Hamas’s refusal to provide any information about the hostages’ conditions, particularly the Americans, without compensation prompted the US administration to exert intense pressure on the mediators (al-Araby al-Jadeed, November 17, 2024).
• Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari confirmed that his country’s decision to suspend its mediation activities in the negotiations remains in effect. However, he said Qatar would be ready to resume mediation to achieve a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip if the parties involved were “serious.” Additionally, al-Ansari denied reports that Hamas offices in Doha had been closed, adding that the leaders of the movement’s negotiation team are not currently in Qatar and are traveling between various countries (al-Quds, November 19, 2024). In this context, Hamas denied reports that its leaders had moved from Qatar to Turkey, claiming such reports are merely rumors (Hamas Telegram channel, November 18, 2024). US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller clarified that the US administration does not want Turkey to host senior Hamas figures, some of whom are accused by the US of involvement in the October 7, 2023, attack (Reuters, November 18, 2024).
• Egypt reportedly accused Israel of wasting time and deepening the occupation of the Gaza Strip, while refusing a temporary humanitarian ceasefire. “Egyptian sources” claimed that the American administration was not exerting effective pressure and that Egypt had rejected an Israeli request for a visit by senior Israeli officials to Cairo for fear of political and media exploitation (al-Akhbar, November 19, 2024).

Palestinian casualties

• The Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip reported that since the beginning of the war, 43,972 Palestinians had been killed and 104,008 others had been wounded (Facebook page of the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip, November 19, 2024).

The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip

• Palestinian Authority Health Minister Majed Abu Ramadan announced the end of the third round of the “One Blood” blood donation campaign for the residents of the Gaza Strip. Abu Ramadan noted that more than 2,500 doses had been collected to be delivered to the Gaza Strip and thanked the residents of Judea and Samaria for their donation. He said the One Blood campaign was a humanitarian national initiative whose objective was to meet the needs of hospitals in the Gaza Strip (Wafa, November 13, 2024).
• A medical delegation from Algeria arrived in the Gaza Strip. The delegation includes seven doctors who are supposed to join the medical teams in the northern Gaza Strip to treat complicated and difficult cases. Among the experts are orthopedics, dentists, anesthesiologists, ophthalmologists, and others (journalist Muthana al-Najjar’s Telegram channel, November 15, 2024).
• A “source” in UNRWA warned of a severe shortage of flour in the central and southern Gaza Strip, with warehouses and distribution points mostly empty. According to him, any amount of flour that arrives is distributed immediately but is insufficient to even provide a minimal allocation of one sack per family. He said the crisis has worsened due to a lack of aid trucks entering through the crossings and the systematic looting of trucks across the Strip (journalist Hassan Aslih’s Telegram channel, November 16, 2024). In this context, it was noted that thousands of Palestinians wait in line for hours to buy bread in front of the al-Qalaa bakery, which is the only bakery operating in Khan Yunis district, and hundreds are unable to buy bread. The report mentioned that flour prices have skyrocketed, with a sack of flour now costing 300 shekels more (Palestine Online, November 13, 2024).

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Standing in line at the bakery in Khan Yunis (Right: Palestine Online, November 13, 2024. Left: journalist Hassan Aslih’s X account, November 17, 2024)

• The prices of goods and food in the Gaza Strip reportedly doubled within a week due to armed gangs hijacking aid trucks and commercial trucks near the Kerem Shalom Crossing and reselling the goods at exorbitant prices in the markets. Residents strongly criticized the Hamas government and the Economy Ministry, claiming that they had been abandoned and handed over to “war merchants” who controlled their food. The residents called for urgent intervention by the government and clans to monitor the markets and pursue corrupt merchants (al-Araby al-Jadeed, November 14, 2024).
• The Popular and Revolutionary Committees reportedly executed a thief in the Nuseirat refugee camp and punished another group of thieves by shooting at them. The Popular and Revolutionary Committees stressed that they would continue to persecute the lawbreakers and thieves who steal the Palestinians’ food (journalist Mahmoud al-Loh – Gaza Telegram channel, November 15, 2024).
• It was reported that 109 of the 150 trucks carrying UNRWA flour and WFP humanitarian aid were looted in eastern Rafah on the night of November 16-17, 2024. According to the report, several looters were killed during the robbery (journalist Mahmoud al-Loh’s Telegram channel, November 17, 2024; journalist Hassan Aslih’s X account, November 17, 2024). UNRWA reported that 97 trucks were lost in the attack and the drivers were forced to unload the aid at gunpoint (UNRWA X account, November 18, 2024).
• Salah al-Din Street, which connects Rafah and Khan Yunis, has reportedly become a dangerous route frequented by armed gangs robbing aid trucks and goods. It is claimed that the organized gangs, which include dozens of armed men, operate warehouses in the heart of combat zones in Rafah and move freely under Israeli air control. Trucks passing through the route are faced with three options: complete robbery in which they are emptied of all their contents, payment of protection of about NIS 100,000 for safe passage, or protected passage accompanied by committees on behalf of merchants (al-Ayyam, November 16, 2024).
• Salameh Ayesh Mahana, mukhtar of the Mahana al-Saba family from the al-Hanajreh tribe, issued a public statement strongly condemning the attempts to block humanitarian aid trucks. He added that attacking aid trucks is an offense according to Islamic religious law and warned that the family would take its protection off anyone involved in these acts and renounce their actions (Amsak Amil Telegram channel, November 18, 2024).
• Amid the growing anarchy and anger over rising prices, the Hamas Ministry of the Interior in the Gaza Strip established a new police unit called “Sahm” (Arrow).^[3] The unit focuses on securing traders’ warehouses and markets, punishing traders who raise prices or hoard goods, and confiscating goods when necessary. It is also responsible for securing aid convoys and commercial trucks, combating highway robbery, and maintaining order in markets. Reports indicate that the unit has successfully restored calm to markets in the southern Gaza Strip, arrested truck robbers, and prevented incidents of displaced persons being robbed. Its operations have included armed confrontations, during which robbers were killed and injured at the entrance to the al-Maghazi camp and in the al-Nuseirat camp (Quds Press, November 16, 2024).
• On November 18, 2024, the Sahm unit carried out an operation against gangs looting humanitarian aid east of Rafah and Khan Yunis. According to reports, at least 22 gang members were killed, including Yasser Abu Shabab, who headed a criminal gang (Alresalah Telegram channel, November 18, 2024; La’i Hamdan’s X account, November 18, 2024). A “source” in the Ministry of the Interior noted that the operation was carried out in cooperation with committees on behalf of the clans and that the security activity would expand to eradicate truck theft (al-Aqsa TV, November 18, 2024).

• “Security sources” reported that the gangs that were attacked were run by criminals, some of whom were detained by Hamas’ security services and released after the “occupation” attacked the prisons. The “sources” claimed that the gangs were setting up the warehouses “near the location of the enemy forces,” mainly east of Rafah, and that they had “the full support of the occupation” (Alresalah, November 19, 2024).
• In addition to the establishment of the new unit, Hamas’ security services in the Gaza Strip reportedly began implementing Emergency Plan No. 3, which aims to deal with the security chaos created during the fighting with Israel. The plan focuses on combating aid theft and robberies, securing aid trucks, and supervising markets, along with dealing with family quarrels and taking action against corrupt traders. As part of the plan, the security services also act against collaborators with Israel, interrogating the suspects and prosecuting them in accordance with local law. According to a “government source,” Palestinian security services can operate in most areas of the Gaza Strip, except for areas where IDF ground operations are conducted. The plan aims to restore social and security stability, which has been disrupted during the escalation, while dealing with the difficulties created by the attacks and clashes in the southern and central Gaza Strip (Ultra Palestine website, November 17, 2024).

• Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas reportedly received an American proposal for “the day after” during his meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for Middle East Affairs Barbara Leaf. It was noted that the proposal includes the establishment of an international civilian government with the assistance of the Palestinian Authority, along with security arrangements and the reconstruction of the area during the transition period. The proposal also includes the establishment of an executive council, which will be composed in cooperation with the Palestinian Authority and will include Palestinian representatives, including representatives from the Gaza Strip. The American proposal also states that the Palestinian Authority is required to carry out reforms, create institutions, and establish a new Palestinian security service that will be trained and armed by the partner countries, and will be separate from Hamas. The Palestinian Authority’s security services will be responsible for maintaining public order in the Gaza Strip and will later assume full security responsibility for the area. A temporary multinational force will be established that will include regional and international partners to assist the Palestinian Authority forces in guarding the borders and securing the supply of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. As part of the plan, IDF forces will gradually withdraw from the Gaza Strip, funds will be allocated to finance the reconstruction, and the Palestinian Authority will receive monthly aid from Arab countries (al-Shahed website, November 13, 2024).

Terrorist attacks

• This past week, there were two terrorist attacks in which two IDF soldiers were wounded:
  • Stabbing attack in the Nablus area: On November 12, 2024, a Palestinian armed with a knife came to the Deir Sharaf junction near Nablus and tried to stab IDF soldiers at the military post. The forces killed the attacker. There were no casualties among the soldiers (IDF Spokesperson, November 12, 2024). The perpetrator was reportedly Walid Ashraf al-Baya, a student at al-Najah University in Nablus and a resident of Deir Sharaf (QUDSN Telegram channel, November 12, 2024).

   
Right: The knife used by the terrorist (IDF Spokesperson, November 12, 2024).
Left: Walid Ashraf Hussein (QUDSN, November 12, 2024)

• • Vehicular ramming attack in the Ramallah area: On November 13, 2024, a Palestinian driver hit a checkpoint with his car at the entrance to the village of Deir Qadis in the Ramallah area and fled the scene. Two IDF soldiers were lightly wounded. After searching the village, the suspect was detained (IDF Spokesperson, November 13, 2024)

Preventive and counterterrorism activities

• The Israeli security forces continued their counterterrorism activities throughout Judea and Samaria. They detained dozens of wanted individuals suspected of terrorist activity and found weapons and funds to finance terrorist activities (IDF Spokesperson, November 12-19, 2024). The following are the main developments:
  •  On November 13, 2024, during an Israeli security forces operation to arrest wanted individuals in the village of Dhanaba (a village that in recent years has become part of the city of Tulkarm), an armed wanted Palestinian attempted to escape along with another wanted individual. The forces killed both suspects, one of whom was a terrorist operative heading a local terror cell involved in carrying out attacks and recruiting operatives (IDF Spokesperson, November 14, 2024). “Palestinian sources” reported that the deceased, who were members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, included the commander of the Tulkarm camp battalion, Thaer Amara, and the commander of the Raed al-Karmi battalion, Ma’moun Shareem (al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades Telegram channel, November 13, 2024; Jenin refugee camp 24 Hours Telegram channel, November 13, 2024).

   
Right: Ma’moun Shareem. Left: Thaer Amara
(al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades Telegram channel, November 14, 2024)

• • It was reported that as part of the investigation into the shooting and stabbing attack at the Jaffa Light Rail station on October 1, 2024, in which two Palestinian attackers murdered seven civilians and injured 16 others, the terror cell that planned and carried out the attack was uncovered. During the operation, four additional suspects were arrested, all residents of the Hebron area in their 20s. According to the investigation, one of the suspects coordinated between the cell members, another transported the attackers from Hebron to Bethlehem, and two other suspects planned additional attacks that were thwarted due to their arrest (ISA and Police spokespersons, November 17, 2024).
  • The Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Health announced that Nour Ahmed Arafat, an 18-year-old, was killed by Israeli security forces fire in the al-Masaken al-Shaabiya neighborhood in Nablus (Palestinian Media Center, November 18, 2024). Hamas expressed sorrow over the death of “the shaheed and mujahid” Nour Arafat, who was killed during clashes in the al-Masaken al-Shaabiya neighborhood (Telegram channel of the Islamic Bloc in the West Bank, November 18, 2024).
  • On November 18, 2024, Israeli security forces operated in the al-Tuwani area in the South Hebron Hills. A Palestinian driver accelerated with her vehicle towards the forces, who responded with gunfire and arrested the suspect (IDF Spokesperson, November 18, 2024).
  • On the night of November 18-19, 2024, Israeli security forces began operations in the Jenin refugee camp and south of Jenin. The forces detained the wanted individual Raed Hanaisha, who was involved in shooting attacks and detonating IEDs. Hanaisha barricaded himself in a building with two other terrorist operatives and exchanged fire with the forces. The forces killed the three wanted men. They also found IEDs planted under traffic arteries (IDF Spokesperson and Israeli media, November 19, 2024). The Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health reported three fatalities in the town of Qabatiya. Palestinian media reported that Ra’ed Abd al-Rahman Hanaisha, Anwar Nidal Saba’neh, and Suleiman Adnan Tazaz’a were killed after Israeli forces besieged a house and agricultural facility between Qabatiya and Muthallath al-Shuhada (Quds News Agency, November 19, 2024). The PIJ’s military wing confirmed that the three men who were killed belonged to the forces of the Jenin Battalion of the military wing in Qabatiya (al-Quds Brigades Telegram channel, November 19, 2024).

Activity of the Palestinian Authority security services

• This past week, the Palestinian Authority security services worked to locate, dismantle, and destroy explosive devices planted by “resistance” operatives in Tubas, Tammun, and Tulkarm to attack the Israeli security forces (@A7rartoubas Telegram channel, November 13, 2024; @a7rartullkarm Telegram channel, November 12 and 16, 2024; al-Shahed website, November 14, 2024).

Clashes between Jewish settlers and Palestinians

•  Palestinian media reported that Jewish settlers threw stones, attacked buildings, and set vehicles on fire in the al-Dubat neighborhood of the town of Beit Furik, east of Nablus (Nablus News Telegram channel, November 16, 2024). Beit Furik Mayor Hussein Haj Muhammad said the settlers attacked a new house in the town, and when residents confronted them, the settlers set fire to an electricity pole and three rooms in one of the houses (From Hebron Telegram channel, November 16, 2024). The spokesman for the office of the PA chairman, Nabil Abu Rudeina, called for the intervention of the international community (Wafa, November 16, 2024).

Anniversary of the Palestinian Declaration of Independence

• Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas gave a speech marking the 36th anniversary of the Palestinian Declaration of Independence, in which he said that the 1988 declaration was not symbolic but a central goal in the national struggle, emphasizing the Palestinians’ right of return, liberty, and self-determination. He stressed that the Palestinians’ hand is extended for peace, but “not at any cost” and that they would not compromise on their rights. He added that the two-state solution requires “an end to the aggression in the Gaza Strip, the crimes of the occupation in the West Bank, and settler terrorism.” Mahmoud Abbas called on the international community to recognize “Palestine” as a full member of the UN, committed to the national principles and rights of the Palestinians. He said peace is possible only with the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital (Wafa, November 14, 2024).

Palestinian Authority prime minister visits Bethlehem

•  Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa toured the Bethlehem governorate accompanied by Governor Mohammed Abu Aliyah and met with local officials and activists. Mustafa updated his hosts on “the complications in the general situation due to the continued aggression against our people and the occupation’s attempts to separate the West Bank from the Gaza Strip.” He stressed that the Gaza Strip is an inseparable part of the “Palestinian state,” and that after the “aggression” ends, the government will act to unite the Gaza Strip with Judea and Samaria under the responsibility of the PLO and “Palestine.” Mustafa also said national reconciliation was necessary and that the schism in Palestinian society had to end in order to establish “one united and independent Palestinian state” (Wafa, November 16, 2024).