News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (March 2-8, 2022)

Terrorist attacks

• This past week there were four terrorist attacks, three of them stabbing attacks. Hamas claimed responsibility for one of the stabbing attacks. The fourth was a vehicular ramming attack. Following the rise in the number of attacks and concerned about the possibility of more, the Israel Police Force decided to increase its forces in the Old City of Jerusalem and deploy three policemen at every site (Israeli media, March 8, 2022). After the terrorist attacks, Fatah spokesman in Jerusalem Muhammad Rabi’ called for the Israeli leadership to be tried in international courts for “escalating their aggression in Jerusalem and killing its residents” [sic]. According to Fatah, the activities of the government of Israel prove it is “a government of organized terrorism” (Wafa, March 7, 2022).

Vehicular ramming attack

• On March 7, 2022, during a joint IDF-Border Police activity in the village of Silat al-Harithiya, northwest of Jenin, a vehicle sped towards an armored car and rammed into it. Two Border Police fighters were injured and the vehicle was damaged. The driver of the Palestinian vehicle was detained and taken for interrogation (Israel Police Force spokesman’s unit, March 7, 2022).

Stabbing attack near the Cotton Merchants’ Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem

• On the afternoon of March 7, 2022, a Palestinian armed with a knife went to the Cotton Merchants’ Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem, part of the Temple Mount. He stabbed a Border Police fighter and a policeman. Police shot and killed him. The two wounded policemen were evacuated to a hospital (Israel Police Force spokesman’s unit, March 7, 2022).

     
Right: The scene of the attack (Shehab Twitter account, March 7, 2022). Left: The knife used in the attack (Israel Police Force spokesman’s unit, March 7, 2022)

• The Palestinian media reported the [terrorist] who carried out the attack was Abd al-Rahman Jamal Qassem, 22, from the village of Jafna in the Ramallah district, originally from the Jilazoun refugee camp (Twitter account of journalist Hassan Aslih, March 7, 2022).
•  Hamas claimed him as one of its operatives, announcing that the continuing “resistance” activities in Jerusalem had ignited a fire under Israel’s feet, deterring it from committing more “foolish acts and crimes” [sic] and from attacking Jerusalem and al-Aqsa mosque (Hamas Telegram channel, March 7, 2022). Hamas spokesman Abd al-Latif al-Qanua praised the attack, saying it “proved” the Palestinian people’s support for a comprehensive “resistance” to defend the holy sites and deter Israel (Hamas website, March 7, 2022). The PIJ also praised the attack (PIJ Telegram channel, March 7, 2022).

   
Right: Abd al-Rahman Jamal Qassem (Twitter account of journalist Hassan Aslih, March 7, 2022). Left: Formal Hamas mourning notice (Paldf, March 7, 2022)

Stabbing attack at the Lions Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem

•  Before dawn on March 6, 2022, a Palestinian armed with a knife went to the Lions Gate in the northeastern part of the Old City of Jerusalem and attacked policemen stationed at the location. They shot and killed him. Two policemen were wounded in the attack (Israel Police Force Twitter account, March 6, 2022).

•  The Palestinian media reported the attacker was Karim al-Qawasmi, 19, from the al-Tor neighborhood of east Jerusalem. According to reports, he carried out the attack after praying on the Temple Mount. It was also reported that he attacked in revenge for “Israel’s actions against the Arabs of Jerusalem” (alresala.net, March 6, 2022).

• Hamas, the PIJ and other terrorist organizations praised the attack, calling it the “natural reaction” to the “occupation.” Hamas called for an escalation of attacks and for Palestinians to confront Israel with all the means at their disposal (Hamas Telegram channel, March 6, 2022). Hamas spokesman in Jerusalem Muhammad Hamada said they praised the “heroic stabbing” of “the police of the Zionist occupation” and that it was a “natural response” to Israel’s escalation of its crimes (Hamas Telegram channel, March 6, 2022).
• Jamil Alian, a senior PIJ figure in the Gaza Strip, spoke on the phone with the terrorist’s family, offered his condolences and those of PIJ leader Ziyad al-Nakhalah (Paltoday, March 6, 2022). Sheikh Khader Adnan, a senior PIJ figure in northern Samaria, also called the family to offer condolences (Paltoday, March 7, 2022). A delegation of PIJ operatives headed by Sheikh Muhannad Abu Roumi visited the mourning tent erected by the family (Knaan website, March 7, 2022).

Stabbing attack near Hizma, north of Jerusalem

• On March 2, 2022, an Israeli civilian entered a store in the village of Hizma, north of Jerusalem, and while there he was stabbed in the back. He managed to reach the Hizma roadblock and was evacuated to a hospital. An initial investigation revealed that the attack was nationalistically motivated. IDF forces searched for the terrorist operative (IDF spokesman, March 3, 2022). A suspect was detained by the Israeli security forces in the Shuafat refugee camp and taken for interrogation (Israel Police Force spokesman’s unit, March 3, 2022).

Counterterrorism activities

• The Israel Police Force in Jerusalem detained six Palestinians, four of them minors living in east Jerusalem, on suspicion of throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at Israeli vehicles and damaging them (Israel Police Force spokesman’s unit for Jerusalem, March 7, 2022).
• On March 6, 2022, during an IDF activity near Abu Dis in east Jerusalem, the fighters identified two Palestinians throwing Molotov cocktails at a military post. They shot and mortally wounded one of the Palestinians, who later died. The other Palestinian escaped (IDF spokesman, March 6, 2022).
• The ministry of health in Ramallah reported the Palestinian who had been killed was Yamen Nafez Jafal, 16, from Abu Dis (ministry of health in Ramallah Facebook page, March 6, 2022). According to local sources, during the IDF activity in Abu Dis there were violent clashes between the soldiers and Palestinians, during which Yamen Nafez Jafal was killed (Ma’an, March 6, 2022).
• PA Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh posted his condolences to the family and Abu Dis on his Facebook page, condemning the [alleged] “escalation” and warning of dire consequences (Muhammad Shtayyeh’s Facebook page, March 6, 2022). A general strike was declared in Abu Dis as a sign of mourning (Shehab Twitter account, March 7, 2022).
• The boy’s father, Nafez Jafal, said his son had realized his dream of being a shaheed (Wafa Facebook page, March 7, 2022). Red Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine flags were hung on the family’s house (Palinfo Twitter account, March 7, 2022).

  
Right: Condolences posted by Muhammad Shtayyeh to his Facebook page, March 6, 2022. Left: From an interview with the boy’s father. Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine red flags are hung at the right (Palinfo Twitter account, March 7, 2022)

•  IDF surveillance identified two suspicious figures approaching a surveillance post near the settlement of Migdal Oz. An IDF force was dispatched to the site and pursued the suspects. The force implemented protocol for detaining suspects, which included firing their weapons. One of the suspects was mortally wounded and later died. The circumstances of the event are being investigated (IDF spokesman, March 2, 2022). The Palestinian media reported the death of Amer Shafiq Abu Afifa, 21, from the al-Aroub refugee camp, near Beit Fajjar, north of Hebron. The PA foreign ministry condemned Israel and called on the International Criminal Court to investigate (al-Hayat al-Jadeeda, March 2, 2022).

Rocks, Molotov cocktails and other events

• In Judea and Samaria Palestinians continued throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at Israeli vehicles driving on the roads, IDF posts and the fences of Israeli communities. One of the main locations for attacks was the Gush Etzion-Hebron road in the region of al-Aroub. The more prominent events were the following:^[1]
  • March 8, 2022: Molotov cocktails were thrown at a check post on Shuhadaa Street in Hebron. No casualties were reported.
  • March 8, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle between Adam and Hizma, northeast of Jerusalem. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
  • March 8, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
  • March 8, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle on the Gush Etzion-Hebron road near al-Aroub. A passenger went into shock and the vehicle was damaged.
  • March 7, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus near Hizma, northeast of Jerusalem. No casualties were reported; the bus was damaged.
  • March 7, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus on the Gush Etzion-Hebron road near al-Aroub. No casualties were reported; the bus was damaged.
  • March 7, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle between Azzun and Ma’aleh Shomron, east of Qalqilya. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
  • March 7, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near Rehelim, south of Nablus. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
  • March 7, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near Luban al-Sharqia, south of Nablus. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
  • March 6, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near al-Aroub. No casualties or damage were reported.
  • March 6, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle from a passing car on the Jerusalem-Gush Etzion road near al-Khader. No casualties or damage were reported.
  • March 4, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle on the Gush Etzion-Hebron road near the al-Aroub refugee camp. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
  • March 4, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle between Eviatar and Tapuah, south of Nablus No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
  • March 4, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle between Nabi Ilyas and the Eliahu Crossing, east of Qalqilya. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
  • March 3, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus near Turmus Aya, northeast of Ramallah. No casualties were reported; the bus was damaged.
  • March 3, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus on the bypass road between Nabi Ilyas and Azzun, east of Qalqilya. No casualties were reported; the bus was damaged.
  • March 3, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near Shuqba, northwest of Ramallah. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
  • March 2, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus near Bayt Ummar, north of Hebron. No casualties were reported; the front windshield of the bus was damaged
  • March 2, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus near Sinjil, northeast of Ramallah. No casualties were reported; the windshield of the bus was damaged.
  • March 2, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near Ma’aleh Lavona, south of Nablus. No casualties were reported; the windshield of the vehicle was damaged.

Significant Terrorist Attacks in Judea and Samaria since January 2020^[2]

Terrorists’ houses demolished

• On the night of March 7, 2022, Israeli security forces demolished the house of Muhammad Jaradat and the floor of the house where Ghiti Jaradat lived in the village of Silat al-Harithiya, west of Jenin. On December 16, 2021, the two terrorists carried out a shooting attack at the Homesh Junction, killing Yehuda Dimentman and wounding two other civilians. During the activity Palestinians rioted against the Israeli security forces, throwing rocks, Molotov cocktails, IEDs and improvised hand grenades. According to reports they also shot at the forces (IDF spokesman, March 8, 2022).
•  PIJ leader Ziyad al-Nakhalah said that destroying the houses of “men of the jihad” in the Jenin district would not destroy the will of jihad and “resistance” of the Palestinian people or the PIJ and its operatives. He said they would continue to adhere to their commitments and complete their path to victory (al-Quds, March 8, 2022).

   
Right: The demolition of terrorists’ houses. Left: A black PIJ flag hung from one of the houses demolished in the village of Silat al-Harithiya (Shehab Twitter account, March 8, 2022)

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

The PA position on the Russian invasion of Ukraine

• Senior PA figures have not yet made public their official position on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ahmed Majdalani, minister of social development and a member of the PLO’s Executive Committee, said the Palestinian leadership headed by Mahmoud Abbas was planning to discuss the influence of the “war between Russia and Ukraine” on the Palestinian cause. He said that following the crisis [in Ukraine] global interest in the Middle East and the Palestinian problem had waned, and all eyes were turned to the fighting and its consequences for the world in general and Europe in particular (Voice of Palestine radio, March 6, 2022).
• At the weekly PA government meeting Muhammad Shtayyeh said he hoped the war would end. He mocked the mediation efforts led by Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, claiming that Israel, [allegedly] an occupier itself, was trying to mediate a solution to the crisis (Muhammad Shtayyeh’s Facebook page, March 7, 2022).
• In Bethlehem several dozen Palestinians gathered to demonstrate in front of the Russian Center in support of Russia and Putin. They chanted slogans against the “global bias in favor of Ukraine and the Ukrainians” while the Palestinian people were being forgotten (Ma’an, March 6, 2022). Following the demonstration, Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki said the Palestinians were not intervening in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He claimed the Palestinians were being pressured to take a stance (PA foreign ministry Facebook page, March 5, 2022).

   
Palestinians in Bethlehem demonstrate in support of Putin
(Yazan Twitter account, March 6, 2022)

• Bassem al-Salahi, a member of the PLO’s Executive Committee, accused the United States of responsibility for the crisis, and said the Palestinian leadership supported a diplomatic solution while preserving the rights of both sides and their peaceful relations (Newpal website, March 6, 2022).
•  The Palestinian media published cartoons expressing dissatisfaction with the international community and the global media’s preoccupation with Ukraine, which made them ignore events in the Palestinian arena and the Middle East (al-Quds, March 3, 2022). The cartoons also related unfavorably to the mediation efforts of Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (al-Quds, Palestinian cartoonists’ Facebook page, March 7, 2022).

   
Right: Dissatisfaction with the lack of global media interest in events in the Middle East (al-Quds, March 3, 2022). Left: The world ignores the events in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in east Jerusalem (Alaa’ al-Laqta’s Facebook page, March 2, 2022)

   
Criticism of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s efforts to mediate between Ukraine and Russia (Palestinian cartoonists’ Facebook page, March 7, 2022)

Mahmoud Abbas meets with UNRWA representative Philippe Lazzarini

• On March 1, 2022, Mahmoud Abbas met with UNRWA representative Philippe Lazzarini, and thanked him for his services and the efforts he invested in raising money for the Palestinians. Lazzarini noted the importance of funding UNRWA to keep it operating. Mahmoud Abbas said he supported the efforts to renew UNRWA’s mandate because the issue of the refugees was one of the most important for the Palestinians and it had to be resolved in accordance with international law (Wafa, March 3, 2022).
•   Two days later, on March 3, 2022, Muhammad Shtayyeh met with Philippe Lazzarini. Their discussion focused mainly on UNRWA’s financial hardships, caused by its budget deficit. Muhammad Shtayyeh updated Lazzarini on his efforts to secure funding (Wafa, March 3, 2022).

   
Right: Mahmoud Abbas meets with Philippe Lazzarini (Mahmoud Abbas’ Facebook page, March 1, 2022). Left: Muhammad Shtayyeh meets with Philippe Lazzarini (Wafa, March 3, 2022)

Palestinian criticism of PA security coordination with Israel

• Jasser al-Barghouti, responsible for Hamas national relations in Judea and Samaria, criticized the increased number of political detentions carried out by the PA. He said they were “worse than a crime” and carried out at the same time as IDF detentions in the West Bank. He said he fully objected to the PA’s security coordination with Israel, which enabled Israel to carry out the detentions.

The Popular Committee of the Palestinian Dispersal’s conference in Istanbul

• On February 25, 2022, a three-day conference of the Popular Committee of the Palestinian Dispersal^[3] began in Istanbul with the theme, “Jerusalem is our direction.” Committee spokesman Ahmed Muheisen said that last year the coronavirus had prevented the conference from being held. He said 1,200 representatives had come from 50 countries, and that the objective of the conference was to stress the determination of the Palestinians in the dispersal to fill positions and protest attempts to keep them out of the decision-making process and influence Palestinian future (alresala.net, February 26, 2022).
• The announcement summarizing the conference was issued by Committee chair Muneir Shafiq, who was appointed chairman for a third term. He said they had decided to establish a united national front of Palestinian forces and organizations to unify the Palestinian people internally and in the dispersal into one system to realize the return of the Palestinian refugees (Arabi21, February 27, 2022).

   
Right: The representatives attending the conference. Left: Ahmed Muheisen reads the announcement (Committee website, February 27 and 28, 2022)

Events held to celebrate the release of a Hamas terrorist prisoner

• On March 3, 2022, Israel released Abd al-Rahman Fawzi Bashkar, 40, of the al-Askar refugee camp, from jail. An operative of Hamas’ military terrorist wing, he was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for membership in a military terrorist wing and attempting to carry out a suicide bombing attack during Operation Defensive Shield in 2002. He was welcomed home by hundreds of Hamas operatives at a reception where Hamas flags were waved and slogans were chanted praising Muhammed Deif, the commander of Hamas’ military-terrorist wing (QudsN, March 3, 2022).

Judea and Samaria

• According to data from the ministry of health in Ramallah, on March 7, 2022, there were 1,074 active cases, down from 3,473 on February 28, 2022. Of the 2,263 tests administered during the 24 hours between March 6 and 7, 2022, 105 new cases were detected, a 5% positive rate There were 58 Palestinians in ICUs, 21 of them on ventilators. So far 3,348 Palestinians have died of coronavirus-related causes (ministry of health in Ramallah Facebook page, March 7, 2022).

The Gaza Strip

• On March 8, 2022, the ministry of health in Gaza reported 5,432 active cases in the Gaza Strip, down from 11,031 on March 1, 2022. Of the 1,005 tests administered during the 24 hours between March 7 and 8, 211 new cases were detected, a 21% positive rate. So far 1,942 Gazans have died of coronavirus-related causes, up from 1,916 on March 1, 2022. There are 76 hospitalized Gazans, 53 in serious or critical condition. So far 669,067 Gazans have been vaccinated, up from 657,151 on March 1, 2022 (ministry of health in Gaza Facebook page, March 8, 2022).