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)מ"למ( ןיעידומה תשרומל זכרמה רורטלו ןיעידומל עדימה זכרמ
)מ"למ( ןיעידומה תשרומל זכרמה רורטלו ןיעידומל עדימה זכרמ
)מ"למ( ןיעידומה תשרומל זכרמה רורטלו ןיעידומל עדימה זכרמ
)מ"למ( ןיעידומה תשרומל זכרמה רורטלו ןיעידומל עדימה זכרמ
Overview On July 26, 2019, the return march was held in the Gaza Strip with about 4,500 participants
(fewer than in recent weeks). The march was accompanied, as usual, by violence which
included the throwing of IEDs, hand grenades and Molotov cocktails. In addition, attempts
were made to sabotage the security fence and Palestinians crossed the fence into Israel. One
rioter was killed, apparently a Hamas operative. His death was followed by threats of
escalation.
The Israeli security forces exposed an Iranian network that recruited residents if Israel,
Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip to Iranian intelligence. The investigation revealed that the
recruits were in contact with a Syrian operative and the contacts had developed to the level
of the transfer of information. The investigation also revealed the intention to carry out
terrorist attacks against Israeli civilian and military targets.
The destruction of houses in Wadi al-Hums, near Sur Baher, southeast Jerusalem, led to
Mahmoud Abbas announcing that the Palestinian leadership would stop acting in
accordance with cooperation agreements signed with Israel. Mahmoud Abbas announced the
appointment of a "committee of experts" which would implement the decision. At this point
it is unclear whether, how and when the decision will be implemented.
Israel's South The return march of July 26, 2019
On Friday, July 26, 2019, the 68th return march was held in the Gaza Strip with the theme,
"[Palestinian] refugees in Lebanon." About 4,500 Palestinians gathered in the five return
camps. During the demonstrations there was a riot near the security fence which included
burning tires, the throwing of IEDs, hand grenades and Molotov cocktails. In addition,
attempts were made sabotage the security fence, and Palestinians crossed the fence
into Israel.
News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
(July 24 – 30 , 2019)
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Right: Firecrackers explode near the security fence east of Khan Yunis (Facebook page of photographer Mazen Qudih, July 27, 2019). Left: Hand grenade thrown at an IDF jeep east of the
al-Bureij refugee camp (Quds News Facebook page, July 27, 2019).
Young Palestinians cross the security fence east of Khan Yunis during the return march (Facebook page of photographer Mazen Qudih, July 26 and 27, 2019).
Equipment the Palestinians claim was taken by young Gazans who crossed the security fence east of Khan Yunis (Facebook page of photographer Mazen Qudih, July 27, 2019).
A spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip reported that 56 Palestinians were
wounded. Later it was reported that one of the wounded had died1 (Ashraf al-Qidra's Twitter
account, July 26, 2019). The Palestinian killed was Ahmed Muhammad Abdallah al-Qara,
who was apparently a Hamas operative and a permanent participant in the return marches.
In October 2018 he was wounded in the leg during a return march.
1The first Palestinian killed since the return march of May 3, 2018).
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His death led to threats against Israel:
Khaled al-Batash, chairman of the Supreme National Authority of the Great
Return March, threatened that if the IDF continued shooting at demonstrators it would
lead to a new round of escalation. He called on Egypt to exert pressure on Israel {"the
occupation") to stop shooting at the demonstrators (Supreme National Authority
Facebook page, July 26, 2019).
Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) spokesman Mus'ab al-Brim, speaking at al-Qara's
funeral, said that the "Palestinian resistance" [i.e., terrorist organizations] had to
respond to Israel's actions (al-Manar, July 27, 2019).
The Miles of Smiles convoys announced a project to distribute first aid kits to paramedics in
the Gaza Strip, especially those in the friction areas during the return marches. The project
will be named for Razan al-Najjar, a paramedic killed during one of the marches (Safa, July
24, 2019).
At the end of the activities the Supreme National Authority called on the Palestinian public
to participate in the return march next Friday, August 2, 2019. Its theme will be "Friday of the
massacre in [the neighborhood of] Wadi al-Hums" as a show of solidarity with the
Palestinians whose houses were destroyed in Sur Baher in east Jerusalem (Supreme National
Authority Facebook page, July 26, 2019).
Notice calling on Palestinians to participate in the August 2, 2019, return march, whose theme will be "Friday of the massacre of Wadi al-Hums" (Supreme National Authority Facebook page,
July 28, 2019).
Arson terrorism
This past week no fires were caused by incendiary balloons launched from the Gaza Strip.
The units launching incendiary and IED balloons continue their threats to launch more
balloons.
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The Sons of al-Zawari unit in Khan Yunis announces the launching of incendiary balloons in commemoration of Ahmed al-Qara, an operative who apparently belonged to Hamas and was
killed during the most recent return march (Sons of al-Zawari in Khan Yunis Facebook page, July 26, 2019).
Rocket and Mortar Shell Fire
This past week no rocket hits were identified in Israeli territory.
Monthly Distribution of Rocket and Mortar Shell Fire since January 2018
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
Jan-18
Febu
ary
March
April
May
June July
August
Septem
ber
Octob
er
Novem
ber
December
Jan-19
Febu
ary
March
April
May
June July
3 4 0 0
150
67
214 180
040
470
1 2 1
89
1
691
2 2
1,839 rockets and mortar shells fired at Israel since the beginning of the return marches
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Annual Distribution of Rocket Hits
\
Other events
On the night of July 27, 2019, the Israeli security forces detained two Palestinians who
crossed the security fence in the southern Gaza Strip. They were taken for interrogation (IDF
spokesman, July 27, 2019).
Judea and Samaria Events on the ground
In Judea and Samaria Palestinians continued throwing stones and Molotov cocktails at
Israeli security forces and civilian targets (primarily vehicles). Israeli security forces carried
out counterterrorism activities throughout Judea and Samaria, detaining Palestinians
suspected of terrorist activity, confiscating funds used to finance terrorist activities, and
seizing military grade and improvised weapons. The more prominent events were the
following:
July 29, 2019 – While securing of the entrance of Jewish worshippers to the precinct
of the Tomb of Joseph in Nablus Israeli security forces found a pipe bomb. During the
prayers Palestinians set tires on fire and threw stones at the IDF forces securing the
worshippers (IDF spokesman, July 30, 2019).
July 28, 2019 –During an activity against Palestinians throwing stones in the
Issawiya neighborhood in east Jerusalem, Israeli police identified the building from
which the stones were being thrown. Policemen entered the building and detained a
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
20062007
2008
Operation Cast
Lead 2009
20102011
2012
Operation Pilla
r of D
efense2013
2014
Operation Protecti
ve Edge 2015
20162017
20182019
974 7831159
925
158 103375
787 845
39373
3852
24 15 29
1,119788
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suspect, leading to Palestinians' gathering around the police. Two policemen and the
detainee were injured (Israel Police Force's media unit, July 28, 2019).
July 28, 2019 – Stones were thrown at an Israeli vehicle north of Kokhav Hashahar
(northeast of Ramallah). No casualties were reported. The front windshield of the
vehicle was damaged (United Hatzalah, July 28, 2019).
July 27, 2019 – Stones were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near the village of Azoun
(east of Qalqilya). Three children in the vehicle sustained minor injuries. The vehicle
was damaged. IDF forces searched the area (IDF spokesman, July 27, 2019).
Israeli vehicle damaged by stones (security department of Karnei Shomron, July 28, 2019).
July 25, 2019 – Israeli security forces stopped a vehicle carrying two suspicious
Palestinians near a crossing in Samaria. A weapon was found in the vehicle. The
Palestinians were taken for interrogation (IDF spokesman, July 25, 2019).
July 25, 2019 – Searches for illegal weapons carried out by the Israeli security forces
uncovered an M-16 assault rifle, a hand gun, three locally-manufactured ammunition
magazines and parts of weapons. The security forces confiscated two lathes for the
manufacture of weapons in Nablus (IDF spokesman, July 25, 2019).
July 24, 2019 – The Israeli security forces carried out searches in the region of the
village of Jama'in (southwest of Nablus), seizing tens of thousands of shekels
suspected of being used to fund terrorist activities (IDF spokesman, July 24, 2019).
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Palestinians throw stones at the Israeli security forces during the weekly riots in Kafr Qaddum (Wafa, July 26, 2019).
Significant terrorist attacks in Judea and Samaria since June 20172
Exposure of Iranian network
The Israeli security forces exposed an Iranian network that recruited residents of Israel,
Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip to the ranks of Iranian intelligence. The network
operated from Syria under Iranian direction and was headed by a Syrian operative aka
"Abu Jihad." The first contact was made through fake Facebook profiles and later though
message apps.
The recruits were asked, among other things, to collect information about IDF bases,
sensitive security facilities, important people, police stations, hospitals, etc. Their activity was
exposed by the Israeli security forces. From the beginning of April 2019, they began detaining
operatives in Israel, Judea and Samaria. Their interrogations revealed that the contacts
2A significant attack is defined by the ITIC as involving shooting, a vehicular attack, the use of IEDs, or a combination of the above. Stones and Molotov cocktails thrown by Palestinians are not included.
0123456789
June July
August
Septem
ber
Octob
erNovem
ber
December
Janu
ary
Febu
ary
March
April
May
June July
August
Septem
ber
Octob
erNovem
ber
December
Janu
ary
Febu
ary
March
April
May
June July
89
6
2 23
54
3
6
1
4 45
1
7
4
7
9
5
2
6
3
10
1
8
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with the handler from Syria had developed to the level of transferring information and
even intentions for carrying out terrorist attacks against civilian and military Israeli
targets (Israel Security Agency, July 24, 2019).
Developments in the Gaza Strip The Rafah Crossing
Between July 25 and 28, 2019, pilgrims left the Gaza Strip through the Rafah Crossing en
route to Mecca (website of the ministry of the interior in the Gaza Strip, July 24, 2019; website
of the Hamas administration information office, July 30, 2019).
Pilgrims leave the Gaza Strip for Egypt and from there to Saudi Arabia (ministry of the interior in the Gaza Strip's Facebook page, July 25, 2019).
Water in the Gaza Strip
Mazen Ghoneim, chairman of the Palestinian water authority, announced the
completion of a water desalination plant in Gaza City. It was under construction for three
years. He said the plant could desalinate 10,000 cubic meters of water a day (about 2,640,000
gallons). He said that during the trial period the plant would provide water for more than
200,000 Palestinians in the Gaza City and northern Gaza Strip districts (Dunia al-Watan, July
24, 2019). Mazen Ghoneim also signed a memorandum of understanding to construct another
desalination plant at a cost of £9 million, in collaboration with the British department for
international development (al-Quds, July 23, 2019).
Electricity in the Gaza Strip
On July 26, 2019, the electric company in the Gaza Strip announced it was taking one of the
electric lines (line 8) out of service. The line provides electricity to the Khan Yunis region. The
line is being taken out of service because one of its cables is near the security fence (Amad,
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July 26, 2019). On July 28, 2019, the electric company announced that electricity would be
supplied for eight hours a day (Shehab, July 28, 2019).
Hamas-Iran relations
The Hamas delegation headed by Saleh al-'Arouri, deputy head of Hamas' political
bureau, visiting Iran continued meeting with senior Iranian officials.
Right: The Hamas delegation meets with Ali-Akbar Velayati, advisor to the supreme leader for international affairs (ANA News in Parsi, July 23, 2019). Left: The delegation meets with Ali
Shamkhani, secretary of the supreme national security council (Mehr News Agency in English, July 23, 2019).
The Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese newspaper al-Akhbar reported that Hamas had
expressed satisfaction with the meeting with the senior Iranian officials and with the
strengthening of the movement's relations with Iran. During the meeting Saleh al-'Arouri
gave the Iranians a letter from Isma'il Haniyeh, head of Hamas' political bureau, thanking Iran
for the additional support it gave Hamas in coping with the "siege" Israel had imposed on the
Gaza Strip. He expressed Hamas' solidarity with Iran against American and Israeli policies (al-
Akhbar, July 24, 2019).
The main themes expressed by senior Hamas figures about the visit and its outcome:
Saleh al-'Arouri, deputy head of Hamas' political bureau, called the visit "historic
and strategic." He said that without a doubt the visit would have [positive] results. He
said Khamenei was giving the Palestinian people unlimited support, and Iran could and
would provide every kind of aid despite the fact that it was itself under siege. He said
Iran had never asked Hamas to exploit the relations between them to harm an Arab or
Islamic state, which, he said, Hamas would find unacceptable (al-Aqsa, July 25, 2019).
Interviewed from Iran by telephone, Musa Abu Marzouq, a member of the Hamas
political bureau, said Iran was supporting Hamas with weapons, exercises, training
and in other fields. He said Iran spared nothing [in helping] the Gaza Strip. He added
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that although the support from Iran faced difficulties, Iranian aid was "preferable to the
empty words" of those who offered support but never provided it (al-Aqsa, July 24,
2019).
Interviewed from Tehran, senior Hamas figure Isma'il Radwan said that in every
scenario of a confrontation against Israel, Hamas and the "resistance" would be at
the heart of the battle, especially if a war broke out between Israel and Iran (al-
Mayadeen, July 22, 2019).
The visit of the Hamas delegation in Iran was criticized by social network users in
Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip. Most of the criticism dealt with concern over the
consequences of the visit for support for the Palestinians from the Arab states and Europe.
Those who were critical argued that the Khamenei's statement about arming the Gaza Strip
with precision weapons was liable to lead to "a step up in Israel's aggression" towards the
Gaza Strip.
Criticism of Hamas
Ahmed Yusuf, a senior Hamas figure who lives in Palestinian Authority (PA) territory,
wrote an article criticizing the conduct of the Hamas administration, and proposing ways to
improve it (Dunia al-Watan, July 28 2019). He wrote that since Hamas took control of the Gaza
Strip [2006] it had not managed to forge ties with countries in the region and did not
have political achievements for lifting the "siege" on the Gaza Strip. He also wrote that
the "conspiracy" of Israel and the West to make Hamas fail did not justify its failure to
formulate an effective model for governing. According to Ahmed Yusuf, the public in the Gaza
Strip welcomed the rise of Hamas to power and expected a new and better era. However,
after more than a decade Hamas rule was a disappointment and had become "a burden
and a disaster." He said the failure was the result of wrong choices, lack of professionality
and the appointment of untrained people to unsuitable duties.
He suggested a number of ways he thought the situation could be improved. They included:
To avoid the use of "extremist," "belligerent" language, which presents Hamas and
the Gaza Strip as "a power" despite the fact that it has very few capabilities.
To promote a political agenda appropriate for Hamas. The Hamas political document
[published on May 1, 2017] is a good basis for a political party.
To make the internal Palestinian reconciliation the top priority and to prepare the
ground for implementing it.
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To adopt democratic methods and initiate elections without a connection to the
reconciliation with the PA.
Summer camps in the Gaza Strip
Hamas
On July 25, 2019, pictures were published of the last day of the first session of the Pioneers of
Liberation camps in the various Gaza Strip districts. A video documented the activities of the
Pioneers of Liberation camps in Hamas' Rafah Brigade, showing participants emerging
from a tunnel, storming an IDF tank and abducting an IDF soldier. The second session
began on July 27, 2019 (Pioneers of Liberation Facebook page, July 25 and 27, 2019).
Right: Children practice shooting at the camps in the Khan Yunis Brigade. The targets are pictures of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kokhavi. Left:
Shooting range in the Northern Gaza Strip Brigade. A Magen David is painted on one of the targets (Pioneers of Liberation Facebook page, July 25, 2019).
Pictures from the video: practicing taking control of an IDF tank and abducting an IDF soldier, at the Pioneers of Liberation camp of the Rafah Brigade (Muqawama Twitter account, July 22,
2019).
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)
The PIJ in Rafah began another round of summer activities. Ahmed Abd al-'Aal, director of
the camps, said activities would begin on July 27, 2019, and last for five days. The activities
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will take place in ten mosques and there will be 1,500 participants between the ages of 13 and
18. He said they would participate in a variety of activities, the most prominent of which
would be raising awareness of the security situation, the Palestinian cause and the
challenges it faces (Filastin al-Yawm, July 27, 2019). As opposed to the previous round of
summer camps, this time the PIJ did not relate to the military activities that take place
in its summer camps.
Right: Participants in PIJ summer camps in Rafah. In the top row, center (white shirt) is PIJ senior operator al-Gadhafi al-Qutati (Abu Jihad) (al-Qutati's Facebook page, July 27, 2019). Left:
A summer camp activity held in a mosque (PIJ in Rafah Facebook page, July 28, 2019).
The Palestinian Authority (PA) Ongoing protest against the destruction of buildings
The destruction of the houses in Wadi al-Hums, near Sur Baher in southeast Jerusalem,3
continues to provoke rage. At the center of the reactions was Mahmoud Abbas' decision to
stop implementing the provisions of agreements signed with Israel.
On July 25, 2019, Mahmoud Abbas called an emergency meeting of the Palestinian
leadership. He ended the meeting by saying that "in light of Israel's stubbornness in reneging
on all agreements signed with it" the Palestinian leadership decided to stop acting
according to the provisions of cooperation agreements signed with Israel. The
Palestinian National Council (PNC) supported the decision. According to Salim Zanoun, PNC
chairman, the decision signaled the beginning of a new era in the struggle against Israel
(Wafa, July 26, 2019).
3Hums -On July 22, 2019, the Israeli security forces demolished 12 buildings in the Wadi al
neighborhood, near Sur Baher in southeastern Jerusalem. The buildings were constructed in a location forbidden because of its proximity to the security fence. They were demolished after the
Israeli Supreme Court authorized their destruction.
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Mahmoud Abbas announces the PA will no longer act according to the provisions of cooperation agreements signed with Israel (Mahmoud Abbas' Facebook page, July 25, 2019).
In order to suspend the agreements with Israel, Mahmoud Abbas declared he was
appointing of a committee of experts which would implement the decision (Palestinian
TV, July 25, 2019). On July 28, 2019, the committee met. Its members split according to areas
of operation and each group will examine ways to stop cooperation. Reportedly, the agenda
agreements relating to security and the recognition of Israel. A senior PLO figure reported
that the committee will operate according to schedule and the suspension of agreements will
be carried out gradually (al-Quds al-Arabi, July 29, 2019).
At this point it is unclear if the decision will also include the suspension of security
coordination with Israel. Regarding security contacts, Majed al-Fityani, secretary of Fatah's
Revolutionary Council, said security contacts would be conducted at the lowest possible
level, so that it would be impossible to claim that security connections existed between the
Palestinians and Israel (Sawa, July 29, 2019).
In the meantime, additional measures were taken, including the following:
Mahmoud Abbas visited Amman and met with Abdallah, the king of Jordan. They
discussed ways to deal with Israeli actions, especially the destruction of the buildings
in Wadi al-Hums. Mahmoud Abbas said the destruction of the buildings was a serious
blow to the rights of the Palestinian people and that a clear stand had to be taken
(Palestinian TV, Wafa, July 24, 2019).
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Mahmoud Abbas meets in Amman with the king of Jordan (Mahmoud Abbas' Facebook page, July 24, 2019).
Fatah activists toured Wadi al-Hums with representatives of the Central Committee,
the Revolutionary Council and the heads of the district branches. Jamal Muhsein, a
member of Fatah's Central Committee, condemned Israel's action, which he called a
"humanitarian crime" because the buildings were located in Area A (Wafa, July 24,
2019). Muhammad Hussein, the Mufti of Jerusalem, also visited the region with other
senior figures (Ma'an, July 25, 2019).
At the weekly Palestinian government meeting, Muhammad Shtayyeh ordered a
legal committee to be appointed, composed of representatives of the relevant
ministries. They were to investigate the destruction of the houses in Wadi al-Hums and
to present their findings to the Palestinian courts. He said the committee would begin
operating in the coming days (Wafa, July 29, 2019).
Palestinian government spokesman Ibrahim Milhem said the government had
formulated two plans to support the residents of Wadi al-Hums. The first, short-
term plan, included finding lodging for the residents of the houses that had been
demolished. The second, long-term plan, would include constructing houses on the
ruins (Sawa, July 24, 2019).
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Sign hung in the return camp in eastern Gaza City in response to the destruction of buildings in Sur Baher. The Arabic reads, "We will erect tents on the ruins...and by Allah, we will not leave"
(Supreme National Authority Facebook page. July 26, 2019).
Fatah and PLO members visit Damascus
Azzam al-Ahmed, a member of Fatah's Central Committee, visited Damascus as head of
a PLO delegation. He said that in accordance with a decision made by Mahmoud Abbas and
the PLO's Executive Committee, visits to Damascus would continue and would be used to
meet with the Syrian leadership for bilateral coordination. Azzam al-Ahmed said Mahmoud
Abbas was in contact with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and would visit Syria in the near
future (al-Watan TV, July 25, 2019). Mahmoud al-Habash, Mahmoud Abbas' advisor for
religious affairs, visited Syria and met with senior Syrian officials. During the visit he gave the
Syrian president a letter from Mahmoud Abbas (al-Mayadeen, July 28, 2019).
The tax revenue crisis
On July 28, 2019, Muhammad Shtayyeh, the Palestinian prime minister, held the first
meeting devoted to discussing legal avenues to cope with the crisis of the withheld tax
revenues. He told the participants, who were both government and non-government figures,
that the objective was to form a legal strategy to deal with Israel's "violations" of
international law and of signed economic agreements. Reportedly, at the meeting a
number of local and international legal recommendations were made which, said
Muhammad Shtayyeh, would be presented to Mahmoud Abbas (Wafa, July 28, 2019).
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Muhammad Shtayyeh holds a meeting to discuss legal avenues to cope with Israel's withholding of tax revenues (Wafa, July 28, 2019).