News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (December 14-21, 2021)

Attacks and attempted attacks

Shooting attack

• At approximately 19:30 on December 16, 2021, shots were fired at an Israeli vehicle on the road between the Israeli communities of Homesh and Shavei Shomron, north of Nablus. Armed Palestinians had ambushed the vehicle, hiding behind bushes growing at the side of the road near the entrance to Homesh. One of the passengers was killed and two were wounded. The shooters fled; the Israeli security forces initiated a search for them.

    
Right: The scene of the shooting attack (ZAKA spokesman’s unit, December 16, 2021). Left: The weapon used in the attack (Israel Police Force Twitter account, December 19, 2021).

• Many Palestinians praised the terrorist attack and the shooters. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem sent congratulations from Hamas, calling the attack “a broadening of the Palestinian people’s revolution in all arenas of the struggle.” He claimed the attack proved the Palestinian people in the West Bank would continue their struggle until Israel had been driven out of all the Palestinian territories (Hamas Telegram channel, December 16, 2021). Hamas spokesman Abd al-Latif al-Qanua praised the “heroic attack,” claiming “the sword of Jerusalem has not returned to its sheath” (al-Mayadeen, December 16, 2021). Senior Hamas figure Abd al-Rahman Shadid said the “heroic action” in Nablus proved that the will of the “resistance” [i.e., terrorist organizations] had not been broken by the “slaves of the occupation” [i.e., the Palestinian Authority]. He added that the youth of the West Bank proved their capabilities time and again, and that their call, “We are the men of Muhammad Deif,” was not just a slogan (Abd al-Rahman Shadid’s Twitter account, December 16, 2021).
• The PIJ praised the attack, claiming it was a response to “Israel’s crimes” in the West Bank and Jerusalem. The PIJ’s military-terrorist wing rushed to praised the “heroic action,” claiming it proved the “resistance’s” capabilities and “long arm” (al-Aqsa, December 16, 2021).

The apprehension of the terrorists who carried out the attack

•  Two days after the shooting attack, the Israeli security forces detained the shooters in the Palestinian village of Silat al-Harithiya, west of Jenin. They were two brothers, Omar (20) and Ghiti Jaradat (17).^[1] Four other Palestinians who were suspected of involvement in the attack were also detained. During the detention two M-16 assault rifles and an improvised Carlo machine gun were found.

• After the terrorist squad operatives had been detained the PIJ’s military-terrorist wing in Jenin issued a claim of responsibility for the attack. According to the announcement, the attack was carried out in revenge for “Israel’s actions in Nablus” and for the death of Jamil al-Kayal, killed by the Israeli security forces (Telegram channel of journalist Hassan Aslih, December 19, 2021)

• Hamas spokesman Abd al-Latif al-Qanua condemned Israel’s detention of the squad operatives, claiming it was an attack on the “resistance.” He called for the escalation of every form of the “struggle” against Israel, condemned the PA’s security coordination with Israel and called for it to stop (al-Aqsa, December 19, 2021). Tareq Izz al-Din, PIJ spokesman in Judea and Samaria, said Israel had to understand its actions would strongly responded to, without consideration for the organization’s sacrifice of operatives (Filastin al-Yawm, December 19, 2021).
•   On the night of December 19, 2021, the Israeli security forces operated in the village of Silat al-Harithiya to map the houses of the Palestinians suspected of carrying out the shooting attack. The forces were shot at and returned fire. No casualties were reported. A riot broke out between the forces and several dozen Palestinians after the Palestinians threw rocks and IEDs (IDF spokesman, December 20, 2021). Following the riot, the Jenin brigade of the PIJ’s military-terrorist wing declared it “the battle for the defense of Jenin” (Jerusalem Brigades Telegram channel, December 19, 2021).

   
IDF forces in Silat al-Harithiya (IDF spokesman, December 20, 2021).

The response of the Jewish settlers

• Hours after the shooting attack, approximately 15 Jewish settlers threw rocks at the village of Qaryout, southeast of Nablus, then broke into a home, wounded the father and vandalized the house. Rocks were thrown at Palestinian vehicles throughout the night. A Palestinian truck driver was wounded by rocks thrown by settlers near Homesh (Israeli sources, December 17, 2021). The settlers then attacked the Israeli security forces deployed to Homesh. Hundreds of settlers arrived, breaking through the barriers which had been set up and entering the outpost with the intention of illegally erecting structures. The Israeli security forces tried to block them, leading to a soldier’s being injured by a settler’s vehicle (IDF spokesman, December 19, 2021).

• In response to the violence, Mahmoud Abbas called on the international community to act immediately to end “settler terrorism” against the Palestinian people (Wafa, December 17, 2021). Mahmoud al-‘Alul, Mahmoud Abbas’ second in command in Fatah, called for increased caution and night guards to prevent acts of settler terrorism (Mahmoud al-‘Alul’s Facebook page, December 17, 2021). Fatah spokesman Jamal Nizal called on the Europeans to take urgent steps and impose sanctions to stop the settlers’ violence (Ma’an, December 17, 2018).
• PA government spokesman Ibrahim Melhem wished a speedy recovery to the family that had been attacked, ignoring the shooting attack that had killed an Israeli. The PA foreign ministry called on the United States to intervene immediately to put a stop to “Jewish terrorism” towards Palestinian civilians (Wafa, December 17, 2021). The foreign ministry called on every country in the world to designate extremist Jewish organizations as terrorist organizations and to settle accounts with anyone who allowed them to operate (PA foreign ministry Twitter account, December 19, 2021). The foreign ministry later accused the Israeli government of remaining silent about the attacks on Palestinians, claiming that by not reacting, the government tacitly agreed with the attacks and was a de facto accomplice to the settlers’ crimes (Dunia al-Watan, December 20, 2021).

Stabbing attack

•  On December 18, 2021, a Palestinian woman carried out a stabbing attack at one of the roadblocks near the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron. She arrived at the site and stabbed a civilian, who fought her off. Border Police fighters stationed at the site overcame the woman and detained her. She was Saadia Salem Radwan Farhallah, 65, from the village of Idhna southwest of Hebron (al-Risalah Twitter account, December 18, 2021).

Attempted stabbing attack in east Jerusalem

• A Palestinian tried to stab a young Israeli near the Damascus Gate in east Jerusalem. Unsuccessful, the Palestinian fled the site. The police found the knife. A short time later the Israeli security forces detained a suspect, a Palestinian in his 20s from the village of Anata (Israel Police Force spokesman’s unit, December 19, 2021).

Israeli counterterrorist activities

• During an Israeli security force activity in Hebron, three lathes were found in a workshop, apparently used in the manufacture of weapons. The forces also found parts of weapons and ammunition. A local resident was taken for questioning (Rescue Without Borders in Judea and Samaria, December 16, 2021).

Rocks, Molotov cocktails and other events

• In Judea and Samaria Palestinians continued throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at Israeli vehicles driving on the roads. Several Palestinian vehicles were set on fire by Israelis. The more prominent events were the following:^[2]
  • December 20, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle in Jerusalem. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged. Police arriving at the site located three suspects between 13 and 15 years of age from Beit Safsafa. They were taken for questioning (Israel Police Force spokesman’s unit, December 21, 2021).
  • December 19, 2021: A Molotov cocktail was thrown on the road between the Khader Junction and the Tunnel roadblock, west of Bethlehem. No casualties were reported. The Molotov cocktail caused a fire on the road.
  • December 19, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus near Funduq, east of Qalqilya. No casualties or damage were reported.
  • December 19, 2021: Molotov cocktails were thrown at an Israeli bus and vehicle on the Gush Etzion-Hebron road, near Karmei Tzur. No casualties or damage were reported.
  • December 19, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus near Hizma, east of Jerusalem. The bus driver was injured and evacuated to a hospital.
  • December 19, 2021: Molotov cocktails were thrown at an Israeli bus and vehicle on the Gush Etzion-Hebron road near Bayt Ummar. No casualties or damage were reported.
  • December 19, 2021: An IED was thrown at an Israeli bus on the Gush Etzion-Hebron road. It did not explode. No casualties or damage were reported.
  •  December 19, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle on the trans-Judea road between Hebron and Tarqumiya. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
  • December 16, 2021: Rocks were thrown at Israeli vehicles on the Gush Etzion-Hebron road near Halhul. No casualties were reported. At least three vehicles were damaged.
  • December 16, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near Sinjil, northeast of Ramallah. The driver was injured by flying glass; the vehicle was damaged.
  • December 16, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near the Ma’aleh Amos Junction south of Bethlehem. No casualties or damage were reported.
  •  December 15, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near the Jordan Valley. The windshield was shattered, causing the driver to lose control and hit the guard rail. Two people were injured.
  • December 15, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle between the village of Azun and Ma’aleh Shomron, east of Qalqilya. The front windshield of the vehicle was shattered.
  • December 15, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle between Yakir and Revava, southeast of Nablus. No casualties were reported; the windshield was damaged.

Updated IDF orders for opening fire on rock throwers

• The Israeli media reported the IDF had updated its orders for opening fire in Judea and Samaria. According to the revised orders, IDF soldiers will be able to shoot at rock- and Molotov cocktail-throwing Palestinians even after they flee. However, they have to shoot immediately and near the location of the event (Israeli media, December 19, 2021). In response, the PA foreign ministry issued a condemnation, claiming the new orders gave the soldiers “a green light to carry out executions and are in contempt of international law.” According to the ministry, the updated orders are proof that the government serves the interests of and protects the settlers. The ministry will monitor the issue, along with international institutions, headed by the ICC (Wafa, December 20, 2021).

Significant Terrorist Attacks in Judea and Samaria since January 2020^[3]

Apprehension of two Hamas agents, one from Jaffa and one from the Gaza Strip

• On November 29, 2021, two Palestinians were detained by the Israeli security forces. Investigation revealed they had been recruited by Hamas operatives in the Gaza Strip. They met with their handlers in Gaza, received their instructions and secretly maintained contact with them (Israeli Security Agency website and Ynet, December 16, 2021). They were:
• Hussein Biyari, 30, a resident of Jaffa and an Israeli citizen. He was born in Khan Yunis and some of his family lives in the Gaza Strip. He was recruited by Hamas during one of his visit to Gaza. He was asked to locate and photograph IDF bases, the deployment of IDF forces and the locations of Iron Dome aerial defense systems. He was also asked to incite Israeli Arabs to demonstrate against Israel and to prepare Molotov cocktails for them to throw during riots.
• Muhammad Ahmed, 33, a resident of the Gaza Strip who has an electrical equipment business and who had a commercial permit to enter Israel. He was recruited by Hamas in 2019. He collected information about the deployment of the Iron Dome aerial defense system and photographed IDF soldiers in the central bus station in Ashqelon.

    
Left: Hussein Biyari. Right: Muhammad Ahmed
(Israeli Security Agency spokesman’s unit, December 16, 2021).

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 since January 2020

Annual Distribution of Rocket Hits

Attempts to infiltrate Israeli territory

• This past week IDF fighters identified two attempts made by Gazans to cross the barrier and enter Israeli territory (IDF spokesman, December 16 and 20, 2021).
• December 16, 2021: Two Palestinians were detained in the southern Gaza Strip. One of them had a knife in his possession. They were taken for questioning.
• December 19, 2021: Two Palestinians tried to cross the barrier in the northern Gaza Strip. They were taken for questioning.

Distribution of the funds from Qatar

• Mohammed al-Emadi, chairman of Qatar’s National Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza, said the distribution of the December funds for needy families in the Gaza Strip would begin on December 19, 2021. He said the money would be distributed to 95,000 families at the distribution centers designated by the UN. Each family will receive 310 shekels (a little under $100).

Rebuilding the Gaza Strip

• Hamas and the other terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip continue threating to gradually escalate [their attacks on Israel] because of the delaying tactics Israel allegedly uses in providing measures to ease the daily lives of the Gazans and in rebuilding the Gaza Strip. To that end the commanders of the military-terrorist wings of Hamas and the PIJ met with the organizations’ “political” leaders. According to reports, the main topic under discussion was increasing bilateral coordination in scenarios of escalation against Israel. The organizations issued a joint announcement warning that delaying the measures and ending the [so-called Israeli] “siege” could lead to an “explosion” at any time (al-Mayadeen, December 18, 2021).
• Given the threats, an Egyptian security delegation arrived in the Gaza Strip for a one-day visit (Shehab, December 19, 2021). The delegation met with the Hamas leadership and representatives of the other terrorist organizations to update them on developments in contacts with Israel regarding the understandings for lifting the siege and advancing the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip (Sawa, December 19, 2021). “Palestinian sources” reported that the organization representatives told the delegation members they were angry about Israel’s delaying tactics and the fact that Israel linked the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip to the issue of the captives. The terrorist organizations warned Israel that continuing the delays would lead to an “explosion” (Ma’an, al-Mayadeen, December 20, 2021).

Hamas military-terrorist wing holds exercise

• On December 15, 2021, Hamas’ military-terrorist wing announced the beginning of a military exercise called “Defender of Jerusalem.” According to the announcement the objective of the exercise was to raise the level of combat readiness and practice a variety of scenarios (Hamas Telegram channel, December 15, 2018). Reportedly, the military-terrorist wing practiced a number of scenarios, among them storming and taking control of an IDF base, urban warfare, firing RPGs, attacking an IDF tank and abducting IDF soldiers (Wafa, December 16, 2018). Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said they were monitoring IDF preparations in the area near the border and the exercise was meant to show they were aware of all Israel’s actions, and any foolish action would be answered in kind (al-Mayadeen, December 17, 2021).

• Despite the ban Hamas imposed on the presence of journalists during the exercise, it was widely reported in the media and pictures and videos were published. “Palestinian sources” reported that the exercise was intended to signal the mediators that given the delays in rebuilding the Gaza Strip and in improving the its economic situation, a military option was still on the table (al-Akhbar, December 16, 2018).

• Muhammad Hamada, Hamas spokesman for Jerusalem affairs, said “Defender of Jerusalem| was the continuation of previous jihad operations carried out by the Jerusalem Brigades in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. He said the exercise was proof that the Hamas leadership and the military wing adhered to the defense of Jerusalem and the al-Aqsa mosque. Wasaf Erekat, a Palestinian military expert, said the exercise was a sign that Hamas looked beyond the point of a transition from passive defense to active defense. He said the exercise had a message for Israel and the Palestinians, and it was that there had been a development in Hamas’ military capabilities and the organization was now progressing to a much more advanced stage. Rafiq Abu Hani, a military commentator, said the exercise illustrated the military wing’s strategy of deterrence. He said Hamas could, at any time and any place, initiate a military offensive. He added that the exercise was also a response to Israeli [military] exercises that had recently been held near the Gaza Strip (al-Risalah, December 16, 2021).

• After the exercise, representatives of the Hamas and PIJ military-terrorist wings met to discuss strengthening bilateral coordination and improving the “resistance’s” capabilities. They also discussed the possibility of an “escalation” against Israel. A joint statement was released after the meeting warning Israel of an explosion of the situation in the Gaza Strip (Shehab, al-Mayadeen, December 18, 2021).
• Reportedly, in the near future there will be a joint military exercise involving all the military wings of all the terrorist organizations. Its objective will be to examine the level of preparedness and multilateral coordination. The exercise will focus on offense and defense, and the overall objective will be to ensure the ability of the “resistance” to defend Jerusalem in another round of fighting against Israel, and its capabilities after Operation Guardian of the Walls. According to the report, ten military-terrorist wings will participate in the exercise, which will include naval and aerial activities, and involve the civilian security forces in the Gaza Strip (al-Akhbar, December 18, 2021).

Events marking the anniversary of the founding of Hamas

• This past week Hamas continued the events to mark the 34^th anniversary of its founding. Isma’il Haniyeh, head of Hamas’ political bureau, said in a speech that Hamas had told the Egyptians it was prepared for an internal Palestinian reconciliation and the PA had to stop its security coordination with Israel. He claimed Hamas’ military wing could achieve another prisoner exchange deal because what had not been taken from the Gaza Strip by the “siege” or by war would not be taken with “the sword of rebuilding or the sword of a prisoner exchange deal” (Shehab, December 14, 2021).
• Senior Hamas figure Musheir al-Masri, speaking on the occasion of Hamas’ 34^th anniversary, said Hamas would continue encouraging shooting attacks throughout the West Bank and would also carry them out. He promised the Palestinians in the West Bank, Jerusalem and inside Israel that Hamas would always defend Jerusalem. He attacked the PA for its actions against Hamas, saying such actions served [the interests of] Israel (“the Zionist regime”) (Shehab, December 17, 2021).

    
Right: Hamas rally in the southern Gaza Strip (al-Risalah Twitter account, December 17, 2021). Left: Musheir al-Masri speaking at the rally (al-Mayadeen, December 18, 2021).

• Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian spoke on the phone with Isma’il Haniyeh and congratulated him on Hamas’ anniversary. He praised Hamas’ actions and condemned the British designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization. He also noted that Iran would continue to support the Palestinian people’s “resistance” (Fars, Iran, December 15, 2021).

Hamas leadership visits Lebanon

• This past week a Hamas leadership delegation headed by Khaled Mashaal, a member of Hamas’ political bureau and Hamas leader “abroad,” paid a visit to Lebanon. The members of the delegation met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Makati (Palinfo, December 17, 2021). Khaled Mashaal also met with PIJ leader Ziyad al-Nakhalah; present were Musa Abu Marzouq, Husam Badran, Ali Barqa and Ahmed Abd al-Hadi. They discussed recent developments in the Palestinian arena, the situation in the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon and the need to maintain the camps’ stability (Dunia al-Watan, December 18, 2021). They issued a joint statement warning of an “explosion” in the Gaza Strip because of the continuing delays in rebuilding and lifting the “siege.” According to the statement, they also discussed closer relations and condemned the PA’s persecution of Hamas operatives (Telegram channels of Hamas and the PIJ, December 18, 2021).

    
Right: Khaled Mashaal and the Hamas delegation in Lebanon (Safa Facebook page, December 16, 2021). Left: Khaled Mashaal meets with Ziyad al-Nakhalah (al-Risalah Twitter account, December 18, 2018).

• Hezbollah sources reported that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had refused to meet with Khaled Mashaal and had instructed the organization’s leadership not to meet with him or anyone in the delegation. According to the sources, the reason was statements made by Mashaal when he was head of Hamas’ political bureau, against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (Ra’i al-Yawn, December 19, 2021).

Palestinian prisoner-related tensions

• This past week the topic of the prisoners again made headlines when during a routine procedure in the women’s wing of the Damon Prison a clash broke out between guards and women prisoners, resulting in rumors that the guards had beaten the prisoners. The leadership council of Hamas prisoners called for a general mobilization of the female Hamas prisoners in all the jails in light of what it called “a savage Zionist attack on female prisoners.” The event resulted in condemnations and threats. Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum condemned Israel’s [alleged] ongoing harassment of female Palestinian prisoners. He said the prisoners would not stand alone in their struggle against the prison authorities, and called on the international community to intervene (Hamas Telegram channel, December 19, 2021).
• The Hamas-affiliated Shehab news agency initiated a campaign for “Israel’s crimes against female Palestinian prisoners.” The agency “exposed” the conduct [of the guards] against the female prisoners in the Damon Prison, which included threats, beatings and “crossing all the red lines.” According to the agency, the prisoners decided to escalate their protests with a hunger strike (Shehab, December 20, 2021)
• The issue of the prisoners was also brought to the attention of the Egyptian security delegation that visited the Gaza Strip. At the meeting Hamas told them the continued “oppression” of female Palestinian prisoners would lead to escalation. Zaher Jabarin, head of Hamas’ ministry of prisoners’ affairs, said they had told the Egyptian mediators that beating female prisoners would not go unpunished and every red line crossed would have consequences for the entire Middle East (al-Risalah, December 20, 2018).
• In the Nafha Prison (south of Beersheba) on December 20, 2021, a prisoner named Yusuf al-Mabhuh, a Hamas operative from the Gaza Strip,^[4] attacked a guard, stabbing him in the face. The motive for the attack was apparently the issue of the female prisoners. Hamas praised the attack. The al-Mabhuh family said it was proud of him and distributed pastries. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem called the stabbing attack a practical manifestation of the warning issued by Hamas prisoners, that any harm to female prisoners was crossing a red line (Shehab, December 20, 2021). Izzat al-Rishq, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, praised the stabbing attack, claiming it was the “natural reaction” to Israel’s attacks on female Palestinian prisoners. He warned Israel not to take stronger measures against the female prisoners and said Israel was responsible for them (Safa Facebook page, December 20, 2021).

   
Right: Yusuf al-Mabhuh (al-Quds, December 21, 2021). Left: The tool used in the attack (Israel Prison Service spokesman’s unit, December 20, 2021).

  
Right: Solidarity demonstration in front of the home of Yusuf al-Mabhuh in the Jabalia refugee camp. Left: The family offers pastry to visitors (Safa Facebook page, December 20, 2021).

PA-United States relations

• On December 14, 2021, American and Palestinian representatives met online for the first time in five years to renew the American-Palestinian economic dialogue. American participants included Yael Lempert, acting assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern affairs, Hady Amr, deputy assistant secretary for Israeli and Palestinian affairs in the American State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, and representatives from the Treasury Department from the American Embassy in Israel and from USAID. The importance of renewing bilateral political and economic relations was stressed. Matters discussed included developing the infrastructure, access to American markets, funding green energy and removing the obstacles to the development of Palestinian economic growth (US Department of State, December 14, 2021).

• An American diplomatic source said the United States administration had postponed the opening of the American consulate in east Jerusalem following objections from Israel and Republican congressmen. In response the United States State Department said it was obligated to reopen the consulate but did not say when (al-Quds, December 15, 2021). Ahmed al-Diyak, advisor to the Palestinian foreign minister, said the PA government had not been formally updated about the postponement and that the government had not determined its position regarding what had been reported in the media. He added that the PA still aspired to strengthen its relations with the new American administration and President Biden (Arabi21, December 17, 2021).

Future meetings

• Salim al-Zanoun, chairman of the Palestinian National Council, announced the Council would meet on January 20-23, 2022 in Ramallah (Wafa, December 15, 2021). Mahmoud al-‘Alul, deputy Fatah chairman, said Fatah’s Central Committee and the PLO’s Executive Committee would meet in the coming days to discuss preparations for the PNC meeting (Sawa, December 18, 2021). In the meantime, preparations continue for Fatah’s Eighth Conference.

Palestinian public opinion poll

• On December 14, 2021, the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR), headed by Khalil Shqaqi, issued the preliminary findings of the fourth public opinion poll conducted this year. According to the findings, the Palestinian public is optimistic that the second phase of local elections will take place soon. Fatah is more popular than Hamas in West Bank cities than Hamas which is more popular in the Gaza Strip. However, three-quarters of the Palestinians want Mahmoud Abbas to resign. Regarding relations with Israel, support increases for confidence building measures to improve daily living conditions (PCPSR website, December 14, 2021).
• Fatah is more popular than Hamas (38% to 30%) in the West Bank; Hamas is more popular than Fatah (47% to 29%) in the Gaza Strip.
• If new presidential elections were held today and only two were nominated, Mahmoud Abbas and Ismail Haniyeh, Abbas would receive 35% and Haniyeh 58% of the votes, but only 51% of the residents of Judea and Samaria would vote. Between Marwan Barghouti and Haniyeh, Barghouti would receive 57% of the votes and Haniyeh 38%.
• The level of satisfaction with the performance of president Abbas stands at 26% and dissatisfaction at 71%.
• Support for the concept of the two-state solution stands at 39% and opposition stands at 59%, and a majority of 59% believes that the two-state solution is no longer practical or feasible.
• 41% believe that the first most vital Palestinian goal should be to end Israeli occupation in the areas occupied in 1967 and build a Palestinian state. 34% believe the first most vital goal should be to obtain the right of return [sic].
• Regarding the most pressing problem confronting the Palestinians today, the largest percentage (33%) said it is the Israeli occupation, while 26% said it is corruption, 16% unemployment and 10% the internal Palestinian schism.

Judea and Samaria

• According to data from the ministry of health in Ramallah, on December 20, 2021, there were 2,346 active cases of coronavirus, up from 2,207 on December 14, 2021. There were 57 Palestinians in ICUs, 16 of them on ventilators. So far 2,933 Palestinians have died of coronavirus-related causes (ministry of health in Ramallah Facebook page, December 20, 2021).
• On December 21, 2021, Dr. Wassim Sabihat, in charge of combatting Covid-19 in northern Judea and Samaria, said so far six cases of the omicron variant had been detected. He said the number could be expected to rise in the near future, and called on all Palestinians to get vaccinated (Ma’an, December 21, 2021). Muhammad Shtayyeh called on all Palestinians who had received two doses of the vaccine to go to vaccine centers for a booster shot, and to those who were not yet vaccinated to go to the centers for vaccination (Muhammad Shtayyeh’s Facebook page, December 20, 2021).

The Gaza Strip

• On December 21, 2021, the ministry of health in Gaza reported 1,733 active cases in the Gaza Strip, up from 1,730 on December 14, 2021. Of the 1,125 tests administered during the 24 hours between December 20 and 21, 121 new cases were detected, a 10.7% positive rate. So far 1,679 Gazans have died of coronavirus-related causes, up from 1,669 on December 14, 2021. There are 64 hospitalized Gazans, 47 in serious or critical condition. So far 530,728 Gazans have been vaccinated, up from 521,600 on December 14, 2021 (ministry of health in Gaza Facebook page, December 21, 2021).
• The ministry of health in Gaza held a press conference where it was reported that the level of infection in the Gaza Strip was relatively stabile. However, in the past few days there has been an increase in infection, indicating the beginning of a fourth wave. According to the ministry of health, the entrance of the omicron variant is merely a matter of time. The ministry of health noted that only 27% of the population had been vaccinated, and called on all Gazans who had not yet been vaccinated to do so (ministry of health in Gaza Facebook page, December 19, 2021).