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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 Since understandings for a lull were reached on the night of August 31, 2020, the Gaza Strip

has been quiet. In the meantime, the activity at the Kerem Shalom Crossing has been

renewed, including the delivery of fuel and construction materials, and the fishing zone was

restored to 15 nautical miles off the Gaza Strip coast. Khalil al-Haya, a member of Hamas'

political bureau, said "It was a simple tactical round in which we used [IED and

incendiary] balloons and forced the Israelis [the "occupation"] to return to the previous

understandings..." He claimed Israel had been given two months to carry out the

previous understandings and the projects that had been agreed on.

In Judea and Samaria popular terrorism continued. This past week a combined

ramming-attempted stabbing attack was carried out at the Tapuah Junction in Samaria

(wounding an IDF soldier and Israeli policeman). A stabbing attack was attempted at the

Ariel Junction. However, despite many calls from senior Palestinian figures to escalate

popular terrorism (the so-called "popular resistance"), and given the Israeli-UAE

normalization agreement, during the past month there has been no significant increase in

popular terrorism attacks beyond the usual isolated attacks (after seven attacks were

carried out in May 2020).

This past week the Israeli Security Agency detained an Israeli citizen with an Israeli Bedouin

mother and a Gazan father, suspected of having been recruited by the Izz al-Din Qassam

Brigades, Hamas' military wing. He was instructed to place an IED at a bus stop at a major

intersection in the center of Israel. In addition, the Israel and Palestinian media reported that

this past week the IDF and Israeli Security Agency carried out extensive detentions in

Judea and Samaria, focusing on the Hebron and Bethlehem regions. Among the Palestinians

detained were released prisoners and senior Hamas terrorist operatives.

In the political arena:

Isma'il Haniyeh, head of Hamas' political bureau, headed a Hamas delegation

visit to Lebanon. They met with senior Lebanese officials and paid a visit to the Ayn al-

News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

(September 2 – 8, 2020)

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Hilweh refugee camp (where he claimed "rockets and guns will chase Israel out of the

land of Palestine"). They also met with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. A Hezbollah

announcement stressed the might of the [so-called] "resistance axis" and the closeness

of Hezbollah-Hamas relations.

Fourteen Palestinian organizations held a joint online meeting in Beirut and

Ramallah. They decided to appoint three committees: one to discuss the

development of the "popular resistance" [i.e., popular terrorism], one to

reconstruct the PLO and one to end the internal Palestinian schism. Hamas agreed

to adopt the "popular resistance" as a common denominator for a strategy with Fatah

and the Palestinian Authority (PA), but stressed that military "resistance" [i.e.,

institutionalized military terrorism] had to be given top priority.

Covid-19 Infection in Gaza Strip, Judea and Samaria: Overview

The Gaza Strip 1

On September 8, 2020, the ministry of health in Gaza announced that 118 new active cases

had been detected within the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of active cases to

1171 (1141 inside the Gaza Strip and 30 who returned to Gaza from abroad). So far there have

been nine deaths (eight inside the Gaza Strip and one woman who returned from abroad)

(Facebook page of the ministry of health's medical committee to combat the Covid-19 crisis,

September 8, 2020).

Given the extensive spread of Covid-19 inside the Gaza Strip, operatives of Hamas' military

wing (the Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades) have also begun to enforce preventive measures.

The military wing announced it would use all its capabilities to combat Covid-19. The

announcement also expressed the military wing's esteem for the efforts made by the security

forces and medical teams, and called on local residents to strictly follow the directives of the

ministries of health and the interior (Palestine Online, September 6, 2020).

1 For further information, see the September 7, 2020 bulletin, "The Spread of Covid-19 in Gaza Strip, Judea and Samaria"

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The Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades enforce preventive measures in Gaza (Palinfo Twitter account, September 6, 2020).

Judea and Samaria

This past week the number of active cases rose in the PA territories, but nevertheless

there is a trend towards stabilizing the extent of the infection. As of September 8, 2020,

the number of active case stood at 8,223. Most of them (3,256) are in the Hebron district.

Thirty active cases are hospitalized in ICUs, with three on ventilators. As of September 8,

2020, there were 206 deaths (25 in the east Jerusalem neighborhoods).

Israel's South Attack at the security fence in the southern Gaza Strip prevented

On the night of September 2, 2020, an IDF force observed a Palestinian approaching the

security fence in the southern Gaza Strip. The soldiers who detained him found an IED and a

knife nearby. He was taken for interrogation (IDF Twitter account, September 3, 2020).

IED and knife found near the Palestinian who approached the security fence (IDF Twitter account, sep3, 2020).

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Rocket and Mortar Shell Fire Rocket and mortar shell fire into Israel

This past week no rocket hits were identified in Israeli territory.

Monthly Distribution of Rocket and Mortar Shell Fire

Annual Distribution of Rocket Hits

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

20062007

2008

Operation Cast

Lead 2009

20102011

2012

Operation Pilla

r of D

efense2013

2014

Operation Protecti

ve Edge 20152016

20172018

20192020

974 7831159

925

158 103375

787 845

39373

3852

24 15 29

1,1191,403

170

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

2 189

1

691

2 2 1413 4

578

6 15122

1 0 1 3 3 25 0

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Judea and Samaria Combined attack at the Tapuah Junction (September 2, 2020)

On September 2, 2020, a Palestinian carried out a combined attack at the Tapuah

Junction (south of Nablus). The IDF spokesman reported that the Palestinian hit an IDF

soldier and Israeli policeman with his vehicle, and then exited holding a knife. The soldier and

policeman suffered minor injuries. The policeman shot an wounded the terrorist (IDF Twitter

account, September 2, 2020).

The Palestinian who carried out the attack was Muhammad Jabr Suleiman Khaidar al-

Bitawi, 22, from the town of Bayta, who lived in Nablus and was a student at al-Najah

University in Nablus. His motives for carrying out the attack were apparently personal (he had

been deeply affected by the death of his father, Dr. Jabr al-Bitawi, who taught at al-Najah

University) (QudsN, September 2, 2020).

CCTV footage shows the terrorist's vehicle arrive and hit the soldier and policeman (Shehab Twitter account, September 2, 2020).

Right: Muhammad Khaidar al-Bitawi (Facebook page of Khaidar al-Bitawi, August 3, 2020). Left:

The terrorist's knife (Israel Police Force spokesman's unit, September 2, 2020).

As usual, the PA and Fatah did not condemn the terrorist attack (ramming and stabbing

attacks are considered legitimate parts of the "popular resistance"). The Palestinian media

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covered the event by giving the bare facts and stressing that "Israel claims it was a terrorist

attack." Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) welcomed the ramming attack, and

one spokesman called for turning such attacks into daily events (Twitter account of Hamas

spokesman Hazem Qassem, September 2, 2020; Dunia al-Watan, September 2, 2020).

Attempted stabbing attack at the Ariel Junction

On September 6, 2020 a Palestinian terrorist armed with a knife attempted to stab IDF

soldiers. He then tried to escape. Policemen who were summoned joined the soldiers in

chasing him, finding him hiding behind some bushes. The soldiers activated procedures for

detaining suspects and when the terrorist did not surrender, shots were fired at his legs,

wounding him (IDF Twitter account, IDF spokesman, September 6, 2020).

Exposure of Israeli citizen handled by Hamas

On August 15, 2020, Mahmoud Miqdad was detained for questioning by the Israeli Security

Agency. He was suspected of having been recruited by Hamas' military wing to collect

intelligence information in Israel's south. He was recently directed to carry out a terrorist

attack by placing an IED at a bus stop at a major intersection in the center of Israel.

Mahmoud Miqdad is an Israeli citizen; he is 30 years old. His mother is an Israeli Bedouin

and his father is a Gazan who lives in Segev Shalom, a Bedouin town southeast of Beersheba.

Mahmoud Miqdad is married to a Gazan woman and divides his time between Segev Shalom

in the Negev and Rafah in the Gaza Strip, frequently passing through the Erez Crossing. Nine

family members and acquaintances were detained with him, most of them from Segev

Shalom (Israeli Security Agency information unit website, September 7, 2020).

The Israeli Security Agency interrogation revealed that Mahmoud Miqdad agreed to

cooperate with Hamas at the end of 2019. He collected intelligence information and carried

out surveillance of various sites inside Israel, including the locations of Iron Dome aerial

defense systems. In recent months he stayed in the Gaza Strip, where Hamas taught him

how to assemble IEDs and use them to attack inside Israel. He entered Israel in June 2020,

purchased ammunition and began assembling an IED. He also began looking for a suitable

place to carry out the attack, eventually choosing a bus stop at the Bilu Junction, a major

intersection in the center of Israel near the city of Rehovot. Throughout the period he

remained in covert contact with his handlers in the Gaza Strip.

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Right: Mahmoud Miqdad, suspected of being recruited by Hamas' military wing to carry out an IED attack in Israel. Left: The IED (Israeli Security Agency information unit website, September 7,

2020).

Other events

In Judea and Samaria Palestinians continued throwing stones and Molotov cocktails. The

more prominent events were the following:2

September 7, 2020: Stones were thrown at a civilian Israeli vehicle south of Qalqilya.

No casualties were reported; the front windshield of the vehicle was damaged.

September 7, 2020: Stones were thrown at a civilian Israeli vehicle northeast of

Ramallah. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.

September 6, 2020: Stones were thrown at two civilian Israeli buses northeast of

Hebron. No casualties were reported; the front windshield of one of the buses was

damaged.

September 6, 2020: Stones were thrown at a civilian Israeli vehicle south of Nablus.

No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.

September 5, 2020: Molotov cocktails were thrown at a civilian Israeli vehicle south

of Nablus. No casualties were reported.

September 5, 2020: An Israeli policeman was injured when stones were thrown at his

patrol car northeast of Ramallah.

September 4, 2020: Stones were thrown at a civilian Israeli vehicle southwest of

Nablus. No casualties were reported.

September 3, 2020: Three Molotov cocktails were thrown at a civilian Israeli vehicle

south of Beit El. No casualties were reported.

September 3, 2020: Stones were thrown at a civilian Israeli vehicle northeast of

Modi'in Illit. No casualties were reported.

2 All information and reports are from Rescue Without Borders in Judea and Samaria unless otherwise noted.

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September 2, 2020: Stones were thrown at a civilian Israeli vehicle south of

Bethlehem. No casualties were reported; the front windshield of the vehicle was

damaged.

Significant terrorist attacks in Judea and Samaria since January 20193

Extensive detentions in Judea and Samaria

The Israeli media reported that the IDF and Israeli Security Agency carried out extensive

detentions in Judea and Samaria. They focused on the regions of Hebron and Bethlehem,

detaining dozens of Hamas operatives, most of them released terrorists. Several were

senior Hamas terrorist operatives. In addition, searches were also conducted for weapons

(Twitter account of Yoni Ben Menachem; Twitter account of Amir Buhbut, September 8,

2020)..

The Palestinian Prisoners' Club said more than 50 Palestinians had been detained,

most of them from the Hebron district, in the largest Israeli activity since the beginning

of the year. Forty-five Palestinians were detained in the Hebron district, most of them

released prisoners. Senior Hamas figure Abd al-Khalq al-Natshe was detained in the city of

Hebron. Twenty-two Palestinians were detained in the town of Dura, nine of them released

prisoners. Among those detained were Naif al-Rajoub, a Hamas-faction member of the

Legislative Council; his brother, released prisoner Yasir al-Rajoub; and released prisoner

3A 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.

01234567

Janu

ary

February

March

April

May

June July

August

Septem

ber

Octob

erNo

vember

Decembe

rJanu

ary

February

March

April

May

June July

August

Septem

ber

6

2

7

3

1

0

1

6

4 4

0 0

6 6

2

3

7

3

0

3

2

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Osama Shahin, director of the Palestine Center for Studies. In the town of al-Zahariya one of

the Palestinians detained was Muhammad al-Tal, a Hamas-faction member of the Legislative

Council (Wafa, September 8, 2020; Asramedia website, September 8, 2020).

Developments in the Gaza Strip After the lull understandings Overview

Since the lull understandings went into effect (the night of August 31, 2020) the Gaza Strip has

been quiet. On August 31, 2020, the Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the

Territories (COGAT) announced that the Kerem Shalom Crossing would resume activity on

September 1, 2020, including the transfer of fuel and construction materials to the Gaza Strip,

and the restoration of the fishing zone to 15 nautical miles (Facebook page of the COGAT in

Arabic, August 31, 2020).

Transferring cement to the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom Crossing (al-Ra'i news agency Twitter account, September 2, 2020).

Trucks at the Kerem Shalom Crossing en route to the Gaza Strip with various cargos (Facebook page of the COGAT in Arabic, September 3, 2020).

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Gazan fishermen return to work (Facebook page of the ministry of agriculture in Gaza, September 2, 2020).

Senior Hamas figure Khalil al-Haya summarized the most recent escalation

Khalil al-Haya, a member of Hamas' political bureau, summarized the most recent

escalation in an interview with al-Aqsa TV. His main points were the following (Shehab

Facebook page, September 1, 2020):

In view of Israel's delays Hamas was forced to enter a new round of "activity" to exert

pressure on Israel ("the occupation"). Pressure was exerted with [IED and incendiary]

balloons and Israel responded by bombarding posts, especially those belonging to

Hamas military wing. If the events had progressed further Hamas would have entered

"a new round of confrontation, during which we would have pounded Tel Aviv and

turned it into a ghost town."

Al-Haya praised Qatar and elaborated on its donations of money. He said Hamas

had demanded double the amount of the most recent donation to be able to

combat the Covid-19 crisis. He said the Qataris were prepared to double the amount

of the usual donation. In addition to the money Qatar paid for fuel for the power

plant, it donated $17 million for other projects (salaries for public sector employees,

temporary employment for the unemployed, money for needy families). On the other

hand, he claimed, Israel had been stubborn until the last minute.

He added that Israel eventually agreed to let the Qataris double the donation for the

current month. That meant, he said, in addition to the money paid for fuel for the

power plant, more than $30 million for other projects. Israel also agreed to

implement all the previous understandings, especially regarding electricity, water,

commerce, industry, exports and workers and businessmen. Al-Haya added that Israel

would have to formulate the mechanisms necessary for implementing the

understandings.

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Asked why the Qatari-mediated negotiations with Israel about the time necessary for

implementing previously agreed-on understandings had taken so long, he answered

that Hamas had talked about three weeks, but in the end agreed to give Israel two

months. Hamas, he claimed, would monitor Israel's conduct and if necessary, "we are

prepared for more rounds of [IED and incendiary] balloons and other measures."

In summation al-Haya said that Hamas had not paid a political price to Israel. "What

we did was confirm a policy we and all the factions agreed on. We made a new

agreement, but it was simply a tactical round where we used [IED and incendiary]

balloons and forced the occupation to return to the former understandings..."

Khalil al-Haya interviewed by al-Aqsa TV (Shehab, September 1, 2020).

Aid for the Gaza Strip from Qatar

Mohammed al-Emadi, chairman of Qatar's National Committee for the Reconstruction of

Gaza, said Qatar had decided to double the money it would give the Gaza Strip this

month. He said Qatar had decided to allot $7 million for those who had been harmed by the

coronavirus in addition to the usual $10 million for needy families. He added that Qatar

would continue providing for all the needs of the Gazans living in quarantine centers, as it

had done since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis (palsawa, September 1, 2020).

On another occasion, interviewed by al-Arabi TV, which broadcasts from London, al-Emadi

said that this past month Qatar had paid $34 million to prevent a humanitarian

catastrophe in the Gaza Strip. As to the amount of the donations in the coming months, he

said the issue would be examined. He said he had met with the chairman of the Israeli fuel

company to provide the Gaza Strip with natural gas, which would be cheaper than providing

electricity. He added that materials designated as double-use materials would be

delivered to the Gaza Strip, and Israel would permit the entrance of 7,000 workers.

However, Hamas' Covid-19 preventive measures at the crossings prevent the entrance of

workers.

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While in Gaza al-Emadi met with Walid Sa'ad Sa'il, chairman of the board of directors of the

Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) and with the relevant people on the Israeli side to

discuss the gas pipe project for the Gaza Strip power plant. He said the project would be

carried out in coordination with the EU and the International Quartet, and it was expected to

be completed within two years. He said in the meantime Qatar would continue paying for the

power plant's fuel (Qatar's National Committee website, September 2, 2020).

Al-Emadi said that on September 8, 2020, the National Committee for the Reconstruction of

Gaza, in collaboration with the Qatari Development Fund, would begin paying $100 per

household to 100,000 needy families in Gaza, and later to 70,000 needy families who had

been harmed by the Covid-19 crisis Qatar's National Committee website, September 6, 2020).

Hamas' media bureau in Gaza said the distribution of the funds to the needy families would

last until September 10, 2020 (Facebook page of the media bureau in Gaza, September 8,

2020).

The distribution of the funds from Qatar (Facebook page of journalist Hani al-She'ar, September 8, 2020).

Isma'il Haniyeh visits Lebanon

Isma'il Haniyeh, head of Hamas' political bureau, arrived in Lebanon on September 1,

2020, accompanied by Maher Salah, responsible for Hamas activities abroad; Izzat al-Rishq,

head of Hamas' bureau of Arab and Islamic relations; and Husam Badran, head of Hamas'

office of national relations.

Isma'il Haniyeh and the Hamas delegation met with senior Lebanese officials (including

Hasan Diab, the prime minister of the interim government, and Nabih Berri speaker of the

Lebanese parliament), and with representatives of the various Palestinian terrorist

organizations.

At a visit to the Sabra and Shatila cemetery, Haniyeh claimed rockets and guns would

chase Israel out of the land of Palestine (Hamas website, September 4, 2020). At the Ayn al-

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Hilweh refugee camp, Haniyeh claimed the [terrorist] organizations in the Gaza Strip had

rockets which could bombard Tel Aviv and beyond (al-Mayadeen TV website, September 6,

2020; Palinfo, September 7, 2020).

Haniyeh at the Sabra and Shatila cemetery (Palinfo, September 4, 2020).

On September 6, 2020, Haniyeh and the Hamas delegation met with Hezbollah leader

Hassan Nasrallah. Hezbollah said in an announcement that they had discussed the dangers

threatening the Palestinian cause, especially the "deal of the century" and the Arab plans for

formal normalization of relations with Israel. Hezbollah stressed the might of the "resistance

axis" and the closeness of Hezbollah-Hamas relations (al-Andalou News, September 6,

2020).

Right: Hassan Nasrallah meets with Isma'il Haniyeh (al-Mayadeen TV website, September 6, 2020). Left: Hassan Nasrallah meets with the Hamas delegation.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) Meeting of the Palestinian organization's leadership

On September 3, 2020, an online meeting was held of the leadership of the Palestinian

organizations. Representatives from 14 Palestinian organizations participated, 12 members

of the PLO, plus Hamas and the PIJ. The meeting was video conferenced online

simultaneously in Beirut and Ramallah. All the representatives gave speeches. The two

most prominent were given by Mahmoud Abbas and Isma'il Haniyeh.

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Mahmoud Abbas' speech opened the meeting. He noted it was a very sensitive time

because of the plots to destroy the Palestinian cause, alongside steps taken by a number of

Arab states to normalize relations with Israel. He expressed his objections to Trump's "deal of

the century" and his support for national unity to combat Israel with the [allegedly] "non-

violent popular resistance." He said a national leadership had to be formed to lead the

"popular resistance." He repeated his call to end the internal Palestinian schism and to

achieve the general reconciliation of the various organizations (Palestinian TV, September 3,

2020).

Isma'il Haniyeh called for internal Palestinian reconciliation and stressed that Hamas

believed a joint strategy of resistance [i.e., all forms of terrorism] had to be adopted to

defend the Palestinian cause. He called for a "comprehensive resistance" of military,

popular, political, media, legal and human rights activity, with priority given to military

resistance [i.e., institutionalized military terrorism].

Right: The online meeting in Beirut of the leaders of the Palestinian organizations (Hamas website, September 3, 2020). Left: The online meeting in Ramallah (Wafa, September 3, 2020).

Senior Hamas figures reported that the representatives at the meeting had decided to

appoint three committees: the first to deal with developing the "popular resistance," the

second with the reconstruction of the PLO, and the third with ending the internal

Palestinian schism. Regarding the "popular resistance," Hamas said, it might eventually

turn into a popular intifada. That area will be directed by a joint leadership representing all

the organizations. In the meantime, senior Hamas figures will continue to favor the

eventual use of military activity against Israel, while threatening Israel with an

unprecedented "open campaign" (al-Manar TV, September 6, 2020, al-Mayadeen TV,

September 7, 2020).

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The PA fights illegal weapons and anarchy in the Palestinian street

On September 2, 2020, Mahmoud Abbas decided to update two Palestinian laws and to

increase their punitive capabilities. One law was passed in 1998 and deals with the

possession, use, trade, smuggling and manufacture of illegal arms. The law will be changed

to increase punishment and fines will be charged for violations. The other was a law passed

in 2018 and deals with crime and the exploitation of the Internet (Mahmoud Abbas' Facebook

page, September 2, 2020). The laws are being changed because of the increase in gunfire

and the number of deaths in the Palestinian street in recent weeks.

On September, 2, 2020, PA Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh met in Ramallah with

the regional Fatah secretaries of Fatah's bureau of mobilization and organization. He

said the government was determined to enforce the law and increase punishment for anyone

who broke it using an illegal weapon. Jamal al-Muheisen, head of Fatah's bureau

mobilization and organization, said there was no immunity for illegal weapons, which were

used to create chaos. He said the use of illegal weapons did not serve the Palestinians'

interests.

Right: Mahmoud Abbas signs the changes of the laws increasing punishment (Mahmoud Abbas' Facebook page, September 2, 2020). Left: PA Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh begins the

meeting in Ramallah of the regional secretaries of Fatah's bureau of mobilization and organization (Wafa, September 2, 2020).

On September 5, 2020, Muhammad Shtayyeh met with the members of the security

committee of Fatah's Revolutionary Council. He said he would not permit a return to public

anarchy and he would fight everything that harmed public safety. He also said he would not

permit gunfire at weddings or other events (Muhammad Shtayyeh's Facebook page,

September 5, 2020).