News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (February 27 – March 5, 2019)

The “return march” of March 1, 2019

• On March 1, 2019, the 49^th “return march” was held with the theme of “the Golden Gate.” About 8,500 Palestinians participated (somewhat more than last week), gathering at five locations along the Gaza Strip border. The level of violence during the events was high. Rioters threw IEDs and hand grenades at IDF forces, burned tires and launched balloons with IEDs attached. A number of rioters also tried to cross the security fence. The ministry of health in the Gaza Strip reported that 17 Palestinians had been wounded (Dunia al-Watan, March 1, 2019).

• Senior figures from Hamas and the other terrorist organizations participated in the events and stressed their determination to continue the marches:
  • Khalil al-Haya, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, said the march events had been reduced a number of months ago to give the relevant bodies an opportunity to reach understandings with Israel. However, since Israel has not acted according to the understandings, the Palestinians returned the popular activities to their previous format. He said the Palestinians would return to using all their “popular methods,” such as the activities of the night harassment unit and launching incendiary balloons to force Israel to lift the “siege” (al-Aqsa, March 1, 2019).
  • Muhammad Abu Askar, a senior Hamas figure and member of the Supreme National Authority, said that with the approach of the first anniversary of the marches Israel would be “surprised” (Filastin al-Yawm, March 1, 2019).
  • Isma’il Haniyeh, head of Hamas’ political bureau, met with the Supreme National Authority leadership to update them on recent political developments after his visit to Egypt (Dunia al-Watan, March 3, 2019). At a press conference held after the meeting, Khalil al-Haya said they had discussed Haniyeh’s visit to Egypt. He said Haniyeh stressed that Egypt would continue to make efforts to reach understandings, and for Israel to commit itself to them (al-Aqsa, March 3, 2019). The Supreme National Authority called on the Palestinian public to participate in the March 8, 2019, “return march,” whose theme will be “the Palestinian woman” (al-Aqsa, March 1, 2019), to mark International Women’s Day.

Mini-flotilla events

• The Supreme National Authority announced that the 25^th mini-flotilla would be held on March 5, 2019 (the previous week the mini-flotilla was cancelled because of the weather). Its theme would be “the Gaza Strip will overcome all those who surround it.” The mini-flotilla was supposed to set sail from the Gaza port and reach the northwestern Gaza Strip border. The Supreme National Authority called on the Palestinian public to come out en masse to participate in the event (al-Aqsa TV, March 4, 2019). However, on March 5 the Supreme National Authority announced the mini-flotilla would be cancelled because of the weather.

Launching incendiary and IED balloons

• This past week there was a significant increase in the number and danger of balloons launched into Israeli territory. In the past the Palestinians launched incendiary balloons, but currently, most of the balloons have explosives attached, rigged to explode in Israeli territory. In some instances property damage was reported. The IDF immediately responded to the launching of balloons by attacking Hamas targets from the air.
• Some of the main events were the following:
  • On March 4, 2019, an IED balloon exploded between two houses in an Israeli community in the western Negev. No casualties or damage were reported (western Negev spokesperson’s unit, March 4, 2019). In response Israeli Air Force aircraft attacked two Hamas positions in the southern Gaza Strip (IDF spokesman, March 4, 2019). The Palestinian media reported that a “resistance” observation post in eastern Rafah had been attacked (Dunia al-Watan Twitter account, March 4, 2019). It was also reported that a position of Hamas’ restraint force in eastern Khan Yunis had been attacked (Shehab, March 4, 2019).
  • On March 2, 2019, a cluster of balloons with an IED attached was launched into Israeli territory. No casualties or damage were reported. In response Israeli Air Force aircraft attacked a Hamas post in al-Bureij in the southern Gaza Strip, and later carried out an attack in the southern Gaza Strip (IDF spokesman, March 2, 2019). The Palestinian media reported that a restraint post east of Rafah and a Hamas observation post east of Deir al-Balah had been attacked. No casualties were reported (Shehab, March 2, 2019).
  • On February 27, 2019, a cluster of balloons with an IED attached was launched into Israeli territory. It hit a house in an Israeli community near the Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported but damage to property was reported (Israel Police Force spokesman’s unit in the western Negev, February 27, 2019). In response, during the night the Israeli Air Force attacked a number of targets in a Hamas military compound in the central Gaza Strip. The Palestinian media reported a post in western Khan Yunis had been attacked (Paldf, February 27, 2019). No casualties were reported.

    
Launching balloons with an IED attached from the central Gaza Strip into Israeli territory (QudsN Facebook page, March 5, 2019). Left: Launching a cluster of balloons with an IED attached into Israeli territory (Palinfo Twitter account, March 4, 2018).

Violent activities during the week between the Friday marches

• In addition to launching IED balloons, almost every day riots and other violent events have been held by Palestinians, especially by the night harassment unit, near the border security fence. The IDF responded to some of the violence by shooting at the Palestinians carrying out the activities and attacked Hamas targets from the air. Ashraf al-Qidra, spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, reported that during the activities of the night harassment unit four Palestinians were injured by the IDF (Ashraf al-Qidra’s Twitter account, February 27 and March 4, 2019). On March 4, 2019, the “sons of al-Zouari” unit reported that “because of the security situation” it had cancelled its planned activities (“sons of al-Zouari” Facebook page, March 4, 2019).

    
Activities of the night harassment unit
(Palinfo Twitter account, March 3, 2019).

• The main events were the following:
  • On March 3, 2019, IEDs were thrown at the security fence in the northern Gaza Strip. The Palestinian media reported that they had been thrown by the night harassment unit in Beit Hanoun (Shabakat Quds Twitter account, March 3, 2019). In response Israeli Air Force aircraft attached a Hamas post (IDF spokesman, March 3, 2019). The Palestinian media reported an attack on a post belonging to the “defenders of the forward line” in the al-Na’ima region, east of Beit Hanoun (Shehab, March 3, 2019). Ashraf al-Qidra, spokesman for the ministry of health said three Palestinians had been wounded by IDF fire in the northern Gaza Strip (Ashraf al-Qidra’s Twitter account, March 3, 2019).
  • On March 2, 2019, Palestinians gathered near the border fence in the Rafah region (Shehab Twitter account, March 2, 2019).
  • On February 28, 2019, activities of the night harassment unit were reported in the region of the al-Bureij refugee camp (Palinfo Twitter account, March 1, 2019).
  • On February 26, 2019, the night harassment unit operated in the area east of Gaza City. The Palestinian media reported that one Palestinian had been wounded by IDF fire (Dunia al-Watan Twitter account, February 26, 2019).

Preparations for the March 30 “return march”

• In the meantime, preparations are being made for the “return march” which will be held on March 30, 2019 (the so-called “the million-man march”), and will mark the first anniversary of the “return marches” and Israeli Arab Land Day. Senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) figure Khaled al-Batash said a great deal of effort was also being invested in planning events for the West Bank and the Palestinians living abroad. He said that the Palestinian people were using the marches to show they had ways to struggle in addition to rifles, rockets, missiles, tunnels and “armed resistance activities” (Dunia al-Watan, March 3, 2019).
• Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said that with the approach of the first anniversary of the “return marches,” the Palestinian people were planning to break [into Israeli territory] with the “million-man march” on Land Day to stress the main objectives of the marches. He said the determination of the Palestinian people to continue the marches showed their will and proved the Palestinians would not abandon their decision to lift the “siege” on the Gaza Strip (Hamas website, March 1, 2019).

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

Monthly Distribution of Rocket and Mortar Shell Fire since January 2018

Annual Distribution of Rocket Hits

Vehicular attack

• On March 4, 2019, a vehicular attack was carried out targeting IDF soldiers in Kafr Ni’ma (west of Ramallah). An IDF soldier and Border Policeman drove out of the village after a series of detentions and stopped at the side of the road because of a mechanical problem with one of the vehicles. They got out of the car and stood next to it to wait for repairs. A car with three Palestinians sped out of the village and rammed into the soldiers standing next to the car. An IDF force shot and killed two of the attackers and wounded the third. An IDF officer was critically wounded and a Border Policeman was slightly injured (IDF spokesman, March 4, 2019). After the attack riots broke out at the entrance to the village when Palestinians who had gathered attacked the IDF force. Palestinians also rioted against IDF soldiers in al-Bireh after the vehicular attack (Quds, March 4, 2019).

    
Right: The scene of the vehicular attack near Kafr Ni’ma (QudsN Facebook page, March 4, 2019). Left: The Palestinian car that rammed into the IDF soldiers near Kafr Ni’ma (Ma’an, March 4, 2019).

• According to an initial investigation, before the attack the Palestinians threw Molotov cocktails at vehicles on the Jerusalem-Modi’in road. More Molotov cocktails were found in their vehicle (IDF spokesman, March 4, 2019).
• The Palestinian ministry of health reported that the Palestinians who had been killed were Amir Mahmoud Daraj, 20, from Kharbatha al-Misbah (west of Ramallah) and Yusuf Ra’ed Anqawi, 20, from Bayt Sira (west of Ramallah). In addition, one Palestinian from the village of Safa (west of Ramallah) was injured (QudsN Facebook page, March 4, 2019). Their organizational affiliation is unknown. However, a few hours after the attack, Hamas issued a mourning notice for “its two shaheed sons” (Palinfo Twitter account, March 4, 2019).

    
Right: Hamas mourning notice (Palinfo Twitter account, March 4, 2019). Left: Hamas notice reading, “The shaheeds from Kafr Ni’ma. The shaheed Amir Daraj. The shaheed Yusuf Anqawi” (Palinfo Twitter account, March 4, 2019).

Palestinian reactions to the terrorist attack

• The Palestinian media represented the attack as the “execution” of two Palestinians who were involved in a “car accident” and accidentally hit the military vehicle. The head of the Kafr Ni’ma council and local residents claimed it was a car accident and not a vehicular attack. They claimed the Palestinians were on their way to work and the vehicle skidded and hit the soldiers because the road was slippery (Ma’an, March 4, 2019). Palestinian demonstrators in Kafr Ni’ma organized a protest during which they shouted anti-Israeli slogans and called on the military wings of Hamas and the PIJ to avenge the deaths (QudsN Facebook page, March 4, 2019). The claim that the event was a “car accident” and accusing Israel of murder is frequently repeated by the Palestinians after vehicular attacks.
• The Palestinian foreign ministry denounced the killing of the two Palestinians, claiming a formal investigation had to be opened against Israel (Wafa, March 4, 2019). Fatah denounced the killing of the two Palestinians and claimed the government of Israel was responsible (Wafa, March 4, 2019). Mahmoud al-Batash, advisor to Mahmoud Abbas on religious matters and Islamic relations, called the killing a “criminal execution” (Wafa, March 4, 2019).
• Hamas praised the vehicular attack and denounced the killing of the two Palestinians who had carried it out (Hamas website, March 4, 2019). Isma’il Haniyeh held a press conference which he began by praising the Palestinians who carried out the attack (al-Aqsa, March 4, 2019). Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem praised the Palestinians who carried out the attack, saying the Palestinian people would continue their struggle until they had achieved their rights and the liberation of Palestine (Hazem Qassem’s Twitter account, March 4, 2019)

Other events on the ground

• In Judea and Samaria Palestinians continued throwing stones and Molotov cocktails at Israeli security forces and civilian targets. 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 weapons. The more prominent events were the following:
  • March 5, 2019 – During searches carried out by the Israeli security forces in the village of Asira al-Shimaliya (north of Nablus). In Hebron tens of thousands of shekels for funding terrorist activities were seized (IDF spokesman, March 5, 2019).
  • March 4, 2019 – IDF soldiers detained four suspicious Palestinians coming from the direction of Nablus. They were found to be carrying four pipe bombs. They were taken for interrogation (IDF spokesman, March 4, 2019).
  • March 3, 2019 – A Palestinian threw a knife at an IDF force in the village of Teqoa (near Bethlehem). The knife fell on the ground. No casualties were reported. The Palestinian was detained (Rescue Without Borders in Judea and Samaria, March 3, 2019).
  • February 28, 2019 – During an Israeli security forces’ activity in the village of Asira al-Shimaliya two improvised Carlo machine guns were found (IDF spokesman, February 28, 2019).
  • February 28, 2019 – During searches carried out in the village of Idhna (west of Hebron) Israeli security forces seized the vehicle of a Palestinian. He was suspected of being in possession of tens of thousands of shekels for funding terrorist activities (IDF spokesman, February 28, 2019)
  • February 28, 2019 – Stones were thrown at a vehicle between the tunnels on the Jerusalem-Gush Etzion road. No casualties were reported. The vehicle was damaged (Rescue Without Borders in Judea and Samaria, February 28, 2019).
  • February 27, 2019 – Israeli security forces operating in the Ramallah region detained Zakaria Zubeidi, who in the past was a Fatah military commander in Jenin. Tareq Barghout, a lawyer from east Jerusalem who holds an Israeli ID card, was also detained. They were detained because of their involvement in terrorist activities and taken for interrogation (Israel Security Agency, February 27, 2019).

Significant terrorist attacks in Judea and Samaria during the past year and a half ^[1]

Opening the renovated and upgraded Qalandia Crossing

• The IDF spokesman announced the opening of the renovated and upgraded Qalandia Crossing (north Jerusalem). The crossing, which is manned by the Israeli security forces, was completely renovated and updated during the past year and a half. As a result it is more efficient and the process of inspection has been significantly shortened. The crossing was enlarged and there are now 27 biometric crossings, more identification posts, and many technological innovations. There is also a bus terminal, a new terminal and more entrance walkways for pedestrians (IDF spokesman, February 28, 2019).

Pilgrims exit the Gaza Strip through the Rafah Crossing

• After a hiatus of five years, Egypt authorized the exit of Palestinian pilgrims from the Gaza Strip through the Rafah Crossing to participate in the Umrah.^[2] Egypt gave permission 3,200 Gazans who will go on a pilgrimage to Mecca (QudsN Facebook page, March 3, 2019).
• In the meantime, the Egyptian authorities reportedly prevented Mansour ‘Atef Riyan from leaving the Gaza Strip on a pilgrimage. He is a Hamas operative, one of the terrorists released in the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal and expelled to the Gaza Strip (Palinfo Twitter account, March 3, 2019). He was detained in 1993 after stabbing Yoram Shehori to death and wounding his wife in their home in the community of Netafim (near Ariel). He was sentenced to life imprisonment and released in 2011 in the Gilad Shalit deal (Palinfo website, October 22, 2011).

Support for the Gaza Strip

• On March 3, 2019, a delegation arrived in the Gaza Strip, headed by Khaled al-Hardan, deputy chairman of the Qatari committee for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip (Filastin al-Yawm, March 4, 2019). According to reports the committee and UNRWA signed an agreement for a project in the “money in return for work” program. The project is meant to provide employment for 10,000 university graduates and unemployed residents of the Gaza Strip. According to the agreement, the Qatari committee will donate $13 million to UNRWA and the projects will begin in March 2019. Reportedly, the Qatari committee will sign a similar agreement for $7 million with the UNDP, the UN Development Program (alresala.net, February 27, 2019).

Hamas delegation returns from Egypt after a lengthy stay

• On February 28, 2019, a Hamas delegation headed by Isma’il Haniyeh returned to the Gaza Strip from Egypt. According to media reports, Isma’il Haniyeh had been in Egypt since February 2, 2019 (al-Akhbar, February 28, 2019). Along with the delegation, eight Palestinians who had been detained by Egypt, also returned. Among them were four Hamas operatives who had been detained by the Egyptian authorities three years ago while they were en route to Egypt (Shabakat Quds, February 28, 2019). According to Mahmoud al-Zahar, a member of Hamas political bureau, the four were operatives in Hamas’ military wing (Filastin al-Yawm, February 25, 2019). According to reports, operatives of Hamas’ military wing were waiting to receive them at the Rafah Crossing (Dunia al-Watan, February 28, 2019).

    
Formal reception held in Isma’il Haniyeh’s office in Gaza City for the released Palestinians. Also present were senior Hamas figures Yahya al-Sinwar, Fathi Hamad, Ahmed Bahar and Khalil al-Haya (Palinfo, February 28, 2019).

• Isma’il Haniyeh held a press conference attended by senior Hamas figures. He said that while he was in Egypt he met with the head of Egyptian General Intelligence to discuss the release of the four operatives. He said he was happy the matter had been resolved and thanked the head of Egyptian General Intelligence for his efforts. He said he had held “strategic talks” in Egypt regarding the challenges and dangers facing the Palestinian cause. He also related to the six months during which Israel was supposed to act on the agreements reached with Egypt. He claimed Israel had violated the understandings and not met its commitments. He threatened Israel that the “resistance” [i.e., the terrorist organizations] could act against it in various ways to exert pressure (al-Aqsa, March 4, 2019).
• On March 5, 2019, an Egyptian security delegation entered the Gaza Strip through the Erez Crossing. The delegation was headed by Ahmed Abd al-Khalq, who holds the Israeli portfolio in Egyptian General Intelligence.

Hamas terrorist operative killed in tunnel in eastern Khan Yunis

• Ashraf al-Qidra, spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, reported the death of Muhammad Ibrahim Hamdan Qadih, 24, from Abasan al-Kabira (east of Khan Yunis), in a “work accident” in eastern Khan Yunis (Ashraf al-Qidra’s Twitter account, February 26, 2019). However, an Egyptian news website published a notice from Hamas’ military wing stating that Muhammad Ibrahim Qadih had died of a heart attack while working in a “resistance” tunnel (al-Sa’ah, February 26. 2019).

    
Right: Muhammad Qadih in the uniform of Hamas military wing (Felesteen, February 27,
2019). Left: Isma’il Haniyeh (center) in the mourning tent (xorosho300 Twitter account, February 28, 2019).

Hamas’ financial crisis

• Al-Arabia al-Hadath TV broadcast a program about Hamas’ financial distress. According to the program, a financial crisis has led Hamas to decrease the frequency of its military displays in the Gaza Strip. In addition, “Palestinian sources” reported that at the beginning of 2019 Hamas instituted an austerity program which included closing the al-Quds satellite channel. Also closed were the media offices of a number of institutions belonging to Hamas both in and outside the Gaza Strip. It was also reported that for four consecutive months Hamas has not been able to pay the salaries of its officials. According to the program, economic experts say the crisis has been caused by the sanctions the United States imposed on Iran (which also led Hezbollah to institute an austerity policy) (al-Arabia al-Hadath, March 3, 2019).
• On the other hand, other “Palestinian sources” claimed that with the improvement in the relations between Hamas and Iran, Iran renewed its funding of Hamas. According to the sources, Iran promised to give Hamas $15 million every year, and possibly double that this coming year. Iran will also give money for the families of the shaheeds and wounded of the “return marches.” According to a source close to Hamas, the funds from Iran have not yet arrived (al-Quds, March 4, 2019).
• Hamas’ security forces detained Hisham Salem, secretary of the al-Sabirin organization.^[3] Four other members of the movement were also detained. According to Salem’s family, Hamas operatives entered the homes of the five men, searched them and confiscated computers and cell phones. The detentions were apparently carried out on the instructions of Hamas’ political bureau to put an end to the movement’s activities and to collect its weapons. It was also reported that pressure was put on Hamas by Egypt and Qatar regarding al-Sabirin (Veto, February 27, 2019). 

Publication of the results of a UN commission investigation of the “return marches”

• On February 28, 2019, the independent commission of inquiry appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to investigate the events along the Gaza Strip border issued a biased and distorted report of Israel’s responses to the “return marches” held during 2018.
• According to the report, “Israeli soldiers committed violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. Some of those violations may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity.” The report continued, “There can be no justification for killing and injuring journalists, medics, and persons who pose no imminent threat of death or serious injury to those around them.” The commission also claims to have “assessed whether these duty bearers respected, protected and fulfilled the right to life, the freedom of peaceful assembly and the freedom of expression…” and challenged the investigations carried out by the IDF and the rulings of the Israeli Supreme Court. However, the report did mention that “Some members of the higher national committee, including Hamas, encouraged or defended demonstrators’ use of incendiary kites and balloons, causing fear and significant damage in southern Israel.”
• The commission recommended that “the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights manage the dossiers on alleged perpetrators, to be provided to national and international justice mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court, undertaking credible and independent investigations into alleged international crimes and violations….that States Members of the United Nations consider imposing individual sanctions, such as a travel ban or an assets freeze, on those identified as responsible by the commission…[and] that States parties to the Geneva Conventions and/or to the Rome Statute carry out their duty to exercise criminal jurisdiction and arrest persons alleged to have committed, or who ordered to have committed, the international crimes described in the present report, and either to try or to extradite them.”^[4]
• The PA, Hamas and other terrorist organizations praised the findings of the commission:
  • According to a statement from Mahmoud Abbas’ office, the findings confirmed the Palestinians’ claims that Israel carried out war crimes against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Jerusalem. It claimed the International Criminal Court had to immediately open an investigation into the Israel’s crimes and the time had come to bring Israel to trial (Wafa, February 28, 2019).
  • Hamas praised the findings of the commission (Hamas website, February 28, 2019). Isma’il Haniyeh, head of Hamas’ political bureau, said the findings had to be acted on and that senior Israeli figures had to be tried for the crimes they had committed (al-Mayadeen, March 1, 2019).
  • PIJ spokesman Musab al-Brim called the position of the Human Rights Council a success for the Palestinians. He said Israel should be condemned, isolated and brought to trial (Filastin al-Yawm, March 1, 2019).
  • The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) called for the report to be transferred to the International Criminal Court. The PFLP also called on the Palestinian leadership to appeal to he UN General Assembly, the Security Council and the Global Human Rights Council to try Israel for its political, legal and moral responsibility (Dunia al-Watan, March 1, 2019).,

Payment of salaries to families of Palestinian shaheeds and terrorist prisoners

• Rami Hamdallah, prime minister of the interim PA government, said that in accordance with instructions from Mahmoud Abbas, the first salaries paid beginning on March 4, 2019, will go to the families of shaheeds and prisoners. He stated they could cope with the current crisis caused by the Israeli decision to deduct the from the funds Israel transfers to the PA (Rami Hamdallah’s Facebook page, March 3, 2019).