- On May 29, 2022, Israel held the traditional Flag March, which passed through east Jerusalem and the Damascus Gate. There were almost no exceptional incidents despite warnings and threats issued by Hamas and other terrorist organizations, which focused mainly on inciting the Palestinian public in Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem to violence. Hamas tried to explain why it had not responded to the march with rocket fire by claiming the timing was inconvenient, because it would not come as a surprise since the IDF was in the middle of a “war exercise,” and in addition Hamas had yielded to pressure from the mediating countries. They promised a response at a more convenient time.
- On the morning of May 29, 2022, before the Flag March, a few hundred heavily guarded Jews entered the Temple Mount compound. The event passed with relative calm. Anyone who did not obey instructions was removed from the compound. The Palestinian Authority (PA) condemned the presence of Jews on the Temple Mount.
- Palestinians in Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem rioted, and two young Palestinians were killed while clashing with Israeli security forces near Nablus and Bethlehem. This past week there was a significant rise in the number of rocks thrown at Israeli vehicles driving on the roads in Judea and Samaria.
- The American Treasury Department designated several businessmen and companies as supporting Hamas with funds by investing in the international market. Hamas claimed the individuals and companies had no ties to the movement.
- Mahmoud Abbas signed an order appointing Hussein al-Sheikh, PA minister of civilian affairs, to the role of secretary of the PLO’s Executive Committee. Hussein al-Sheikh is currently one of Mahmoud Abbas’ closest allies. His new appointment strengthens his position as a possible successor to Mahmoud Abbas.
- The Palestinian committee investigating the death of al-Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh published its findings, claiming she was shot by an Israeli sniper. The PA refuses to cooperate with Israel’s investigation.
The Flag March
- On May 29, 2022, the traditional Flag March, held annually to celebrate the unification of Jerusalem, passed through east Jerusalem and the Damascus Gate. There were almost no exceptional incidents. Palestinians clashed with Israeli security forces in a number of locations in Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem, but the clashes were limited.
- Before the march Hamas and the other terrorist organizations warned and threatened Israel. Hamas declared it had made the decision to stand up to the “extremist provocation” represented by the march, which would pass through the Muslim Quarter, and the planned “assault” of al-Aqsa mosque (al-Akhbar, May 25, 2022). Sources close to Hezbollah also reported that organization operatives along the Lebanese border with Israel were on alert should there be a “security incident,” and noted they were monitoring the situation. They claimed their threats against Israel were serious (Lebanon24, May 29, 2022).
- The march was also accompanied by a Palestinian campaign on the social networks which called on local residents to wave Palestinian flags and go to the traditional friction points to confront the Israeli security forces, especially at locations where the march was supposed to pass, and to enter al-Aqsa mosque and barricade themselves inside. In effect, only a few dozen Palestinians clashed with the Israeli security forces, and a few protesters marched waving Palestinian flags, but there were no terrorist organization flags.[1] A quadcopter carrying the Palestinian flag was flown over east Jerusalem; it was intercepted by Israeli police forces.
![A call to Palestinians to confront the marchers (Amad, May 28, 2022).](https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/app/uploads/2022/06/word-image-1654094116940.jpeg)
Right: A call to Palestinians to confront the marchers (Amad, May 28, 2022). Left: Cartoon of a quadcopter flying over the Flag March (al-Quds, May 30, 2022).
- In the wake of the Palestinian threats, Israel informed Hamas through the mediators that the Flag March was not a deliberate provocation and would pass through the Damascus Gate and not reach al-Aqsa mosque. Israel also advised the terrorist organizations not to fire rockets, which would lead to a broad Israeli response against the Gaza Strip (al-Mayadeen, May 25, 2022).
- Despite Hamas’ referring to the march as “crossing red lines,” and despite its warnings, there was no reaction from the Gaza Strip. The Palestinians criticized the heads of the terrorist organizations for their provocative statements and the high expectations they had raised.
- Hamas praised the Palestinians who went to east Jerusalem to confront the Israeli security forces and at the same time tried to explain why the organizations’ military-terrorist wings had not responded to the events with rocket fire. According to Taher al-Nunu, Isma’il Haniyeh’s media advisor, a series of mediators had told Haniyeh to contain the situation and prevent it from further deterioration (al-Risalah, May 29, 2022). Others claimed the timing was inconvenient since the IDF was currently on high alert because of its “war exercise.” They promised that Hamas would respond when it was convenient for them (al-Akhbar, May 30, 2022).
- Sources in Hamas claimed they could be proud of not having engaged in a “hastily conceived battle” against Israel at a time when the IDF wanted a clash and was on high alert. They also claimed that on the previous occasion [Operation Guardian of the Walls] the Gaza Strip alone had paid the price, and since Jerusalem belonged to all Palestinians, they all had to shoulder the burden [of its defense] (al-Risalah, May 30, 2022). Hamas-affiliated cartoonist Omaya Joha said the Gaza Strip was secure as long as “a wise resistance defends it.” She said the Gaza Strip had experienced four wars in less than 13 years, and deserved to rest (Omaya Joha’s Twitter account, May 30, 2022).
- Senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) figure Khader Habib claimed that although the [terrorist] organizations were prepared, they had not responded to the “occupation’s crimes in al-Aqsa” because the “resistance” wanted to surprise Israel at a time when it was not on alert and prepared for a confrontation. A blow now would not produce an important achievement. He said they would wait for a time when Israel was unprepared (sabaq24, May 30, 2022).
- Hamas commentator al-Dajani said the lack of response from the Gaza Strip was the result of a combination of factors, including an analysis of the situation in Gaza and of the strategic circumstances of both sides. However, the lack of response did not indicate that the issue was closed. The “resistance” [i.e., terrorist attacks against Israel], he claimed, was an “ongoing project,” and the military organizations and their joint operations room would decide on the time and place to “respond” (al-Jazeera, May 20,2022). It was also reported that despite the organizations’ evaluations, the mediators were working with Hamas to prevent an escalation that would lead the Gaza Strip into a battle it would not be able to deal with, only one year after Operation Guardian of the Walls (al-Quds, May 30, 2022).
- Yusuf Fares, a reporter in the Gaza Strip for the Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese newspaper al-Akhbar, summed up the issue in an article entitled, “Considerations to preventing an explosion.” He claimed that while the inaction of the “resistance” [i.e., the terrorist organizations} in the Gaza Strip allowed Israel to “win one round in the battle for hearts and minds,” and boast of a symbolic achievement in “realizing its sovereignty [over Jerusalem],” the “resistance” had rational reasons for avoiding an escalation, the most important of which was an unprecedented Israeli alert, and going to war [in such a situation] would be “suicide” (al-Akhbar, May 30, 2022).
- Fares said other, tactical reasons led the “resistance” not to respond, among them the large number of Israeli aircraft in the skies above the Gaza Strip before the march, the IDF’s [alleged] attempts to draw the organizations into shooting at fake targets along the border and the “statements from reporters on the occupation’s TV channels challenging Hamas” (i.e., “We broke into al-Aqsa, waved flags, prayed and danced, our provocations were serious, now let’s see what Hamas can do about it.”) He claimed that while the “resistance” had not responded to the Flag March, it reserved the right to respond when and how it wanted. That way it would wage a battle whose outcome was certain and without surprises (al-Akhbar, May 30, 2022).
- PA Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh told the weekly government meeting that Israel had crossed all the red lines, the international lines and the status quo agreement through its “aggression” against al-Aqsa mosque and Jerusalem. He said the “occupation” was one thing and imposing sovereignty was something else, and the Palestinians would cause the failure of the new policy Israel was trying to enforce. He also said condemnations were insufficient and the rest of the world had to speak and act in a way that would enforce international law. He called the events in Jerusalem and al-Aqsa mosque a great, dangerous turning point in the history of the conflict with Israel, and the changes being put into effect in plain sight had to be seriously examined (Wafa, May 30, 2022)
Palestinian reactions to Jews’ visiting the Temple Mount
- On the morning of May 29, 2022, before the Flag March, a group of a few hundred heavily guarded Jews entered the Temple Mount compound. By the end of the day, 2,500 Jews would have visited the site. The event passed relatively quietly, and any Jewish visitor who did not obey instructions was removed from the location by the Israeli security forces. The PA condemned the visit. Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani, the director of al-Aqsa mosque, said the “invasions” of al-Aqsa mosque were “new,” after the Israeli authorities had allowed settlers to enter al-Aqsa’s precinct and dance and roll on the ground and perform Jewish religious rites. He said it was a violation that had not been seen since 1967 (al-Hadaf, May 30, 2022).
- Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for Mahmoud Abbas, said Israel’s actions were irresponsible and it was “playing with fire” by allowing settlers to defile the holy sites in Jerusalem and escalate the already tense situation. He said Israel had broken international law and called on the international community and the American administration to take responsibility for the events (Wafa, May 29, 2022). The PA foreign ministry condemned the “provocative invasions” of extremists into al-Aqsa mosque, among them Israeli Knesset member Itamar Ben Gvir. The ministry appealed to the international community, claiming that the lack of international activity to support the Palestinians made them complicit in Israel’s violations (Wafa, May 29, 2022).
![Hamas demonstration in the al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip protesting Israel’s activity on the Temple Mount and in support of the Palestinian flag. The sign at the right reads, "al-Aqsa mosque is a red line" (Paldf Twitter account, May 29, 2022).](https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/app/uploads/2022/06/word-image-1654094117445.jpeg)
Hamas demonstration in the al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip protesting Israel’s activity on the Temple Mount and in support of the Palestinian flag. The sign at the right reads, “al-Aqsa mosque is a red line” (Paldf Twitter account, May 29, 2022).
Palestinians riot in Judea and Samaria
- Palestinians in Judea and Samaria clashed with Israeli security forces and with settlers near Nablus, Hebron and the settlements of Homesh and Eviatar. In the rioting near Nablus about 200 Palestinians were wounded.
- On May 24, 2022, as Jewish worshippers were entering the Tomb of Joseph in Nablus, Palestinians rioted, throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at the Israeli forces securing the site. The forces responded with gunfire. According to a medical source in Nablus, before the Israeli visitors entered the Tomb of Joseph a riot broke out. Nineteen Palestinians were wounded by rubber bullets and 67 by inhaling tear gas (Wafa, May 25, 2022). Ghiat Rafiq Yamin, 16, from the Ras al-Ayn neighborhood of Nablus, was killed by IDF fire.
- Armed Palestinians participated in his funeral, waving Fatah flags. His body was wrapped for burial in a Palestinian flag (Naba YouTube channel, May 25, 2022). His father, Rafiq Yamin, said his son and his friends had participated in the clashes before the settlers entered the Tomb of Joseph. He said it was “natural” [to clash with IDF forces] (aljazeera.net, May 26, 2022).
- Muhammad Shtayyeh condemned his death and accused Israel of deliberately killing children. He called on the international community to protect Palestinian children (Muhammad Shtayyeh’s Facebook page, May 25, 2022).
![Ghait Rafiq Yamin (Wafa, May 25, 2022).](https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/app/uploads/2022/06/word-image-1654094119242.jpeg)
Right: Ghait Rafiq Yamin (Wafa, May 25, 2022). Left: Armed Palestinians at the funeral in Nablus (Paldf Twitter account, May 25, 2022).
- The PIJ’s Jenin Battalion claimed it had successfully ambushed Israeli forces and settlers who “invaded” the Tomb of Joseph and wounded IDF soldiers, later withdrawing securely (Jenin Battalion Telegram channel, May 25, 2022).
- On May 27, 2022, during pursuit of Palestinians who threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at IDF forces near Bethlehem, a Palestinian boy was killed. The Palestinian media reported he was Ziyad Muhammad Sayid Ghanim, 15, from al-Khader, south of Bethlehem (al-Mayadeen TV, May 27, 2022). On May 28, 2022, a military-style funeral was held for him. His body was wrapped for burial in a Palestinian flag, on top of which a Fatah flag was placed (aljazeera.net, May 28, 2022. Mahmoud Abbas spoke with the boy’s father and offered his condolences (Wafa, May 29, 2022).
![The funeral held in al-Khader for Ziyad Ghanim (aljazeera.net, May 28, 2022).](https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/app/uploads/2022/06/word-image-1654094119736.png)
The funeral held in al-Khader for Ziyad Ghanim (aljazeera.net, May 28, 2022).
- The PA foreign ministry called it the continuation of a long series of “unjustified killings” carried out by IDF soldier and officers, “following orders from the political and military leadership” (Wafa, May 25, 2022). Hamas claimed the “occupation’s crimes” against the Palestinian people would only serve to strengthen their firm stance and “resistance” (Hamas Telegram channel, May 25, 2022). The PIJ called his death the “organized terrorism of the occupation’s forces” (Telegram channel of the PIJ propaganda unit, May 25, 2022).
Counterterrorism activities
- This past week the Israeli security forces detained several dozen Palestinians wanted for terrorist activities in a number of locations in Judea and Samaria. Weapons were seized, as well as funds suspected of being used to finance terrorist. Riots broke out at some of the locations (IDF spokesman).
![Weapons and a vest found during Israeli security force activity in Wadi Burqin, near Jenin (IDF spokesman, May 24, 2022).](https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/app/uploads/2022/06/word-image-1654094120472-e1654094440211.jpeg)
Weapons and a vest found during Israeli security force activity in Wadi Burqin, near Jenin (IDF spokesman, May 24, 2022).
- On May 30, 2022, IDF fighters were shot at by Palestinians on the outskirts of al-Bireh, east of Ramallah. According to the results of the initial investigation, shots were fired by a Palestinian from a vehicle driven to the site. The fighters responded with gunfire. No Israeli casualties were reported (IDF spokesman, May 30, 2022).
Significant Terrorist Attacks in Judea and Samaria since January 2020[2]
Rocket and mortar shell fire into Israel
- This past week no rocket or mortar shell hits were identified in Israeli territory.
- On May 28, 2022, the eve of the Flag March, the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip fired eight experimental rockets towards the sea. According to reports, they were part of a project to develop the “resistance’s” capabilities. The organizations warned Israel not to let the settlers “assault” al-Aqsa mosque during the Flag March (al-Risalah, May 28, 2022).
Monthly Distribution of Rocket and Mortar Shell Fire since January 2020
Annual Distribution of Rocket Hits
Attempted infiltration into Israeli territory
- IDF fighters detained two Palestinians who tried to cross the border security fence in the southern Gaza Strip and enter Israeli territory. Two hand grenades and a knife were found in their possession. They were taken for interrogation (IDF spokesman, May 27, 2022).
Distribution of financial aid from Qatar
- According to an announcement by Mohammed al-Emadi, chairman of Qatar’s National Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza, on May 26, 2022, the distribution of $100 to each of 100,000 needy Gazan families began (Safa, May 25, 2022).
Sanctions imposed on businessmen and companies helping to fund Hamas
- On May 24, 2022, the American Treasury Department imposed limitations on three businessmen and a network of companies with international investments funded Hamas activities. Hamas’ investment office, whose directorate was supervised by the network, held assets estimated at more than $500 million, and included companies operating in Sudan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and the UAE. The sanctions prevented Americas from engaging in economic activities with the companies. Sanctions were also imposed on individuals and groups with ties to the companies (American Treasury Department, May 24, 2022).
- Hamas spokesman Abd al-Latif al-Qanua said in response that the businessmen on whom the Americans imposed sanctions on the claim that they supported Hamas, had no ties to the movement. He added that the American measure was more proof that the United States collaborated with Israel in exerting pressure on the Palestinian people (Sawa, May 24, 2022).
Reactions to the Iraqi decision to ban normalization of relations with Israel
- On May 26, 2022, the Iraqi parliament unanimously voted for a law banning normalization of relations with Israel. The law is called “The law criminalizing relations with the Zionist entity.” According to the law, proposed by Shi’ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, an attempt at normalization would include “communication and contact by any means with the Zionist entity and with its representatives by an Iraqi individual, institution or organization in the cultural, political, scientific, commercial, economic, media or security sphere” (New York Times website, May 27, 2022). While the United States and Britain expressed concern over the new law and called on Iraq to revoke it, Hezbollah and the Palestinian terrorist organizations praised it. Hamas called on all the Arab and Islamic parliaments to copy the law, which represents support for the Palestinian people and the fight against Israel. Hamas claimed the law reflected the “authenticity” of the Iraqi people, its historical positions and the position of the Palestinians (Shehab, May 26, 2022). The PIJ also praised the law on the grounds that it showed support for the Palestinian cause and blocked Israel’s attempts to enter other Arab capitals by normalization and treaties threatening the stability of the “Palestinian nation” (PIJ Telegram channel, May 27, 2022).
UAVs in the skies over the Gaza Strip
- The Palestinian social media issued videos of intensive flyovers of Israeli UAVs in the skies above the Gaza Strip. Local residents photographed closeups of the UAVs (Filastin al-A’an, May 24, 2022). A cartoon was published expressing the Gazans’ displeasure at seeing the UAVs in the sky above them (Palestinian cartoonists’ Facebook page, May 25, 2022).
![Palestinian reaction to UAVs in the skies over Gaza (Palestinian cartoonists' Facebook page, May 25, 2022).](https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/app/uploads/2022/06/word-image-1654094121033.jpeg)
Palestinian reaction to UAVs in the skies over Gaza (Palestinian cartoonists’ Facebook page, May 25, 2022).
Information about Operation Guardian of the Walls revealed
- A video was aired by al-Jazeera TV about Operation Guardian of the Walls, revealing information about the activities of the Hamas military-terrorist wing during the operation. The main points were the following (al-Jazeera TV, May 27, 2022).
- Yahya al-Sinwar, head of the Hamas political bureau in the Gaza Strip, claimed in an interview that the final rocket barrage launched before the ceasefire included 362 rockets that targeted 14 Israeli cities, among them Haifa, Tel Aviv, Dimona and Eilat. He also claimed that at the beginning of the operation they planned to abduct IDF soldiers for a prisoner exchange deal. He also claimed they had exposed an IDF plot to trick hundreds of military wing operatives into tunnels the IDF was planning to attack.
- In January 2021 they decided to put Jerusalem into the “equation” and into firing range, as Hamas would do four months later.
- During the fighting the joint operations room operated with officers of the military wings of Hamas, Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps.
Diplomatic activity
- Mahmoud Abbas met with Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, the Turkish foreign minister, who paid a visit to Ramallah. Mahmoud Abbas briefed him on recent developments and on “Israel’s activities against the Palestinian people and the holy sites in Jerusalem.” He praised Turkey’s support of the Palestinian cause. Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki was also present at the meeting. Bilateral agreements were signed for the fields of health, the economy, education and security. It was the first visit of a Turkish foreign minister to the PA in 15 years. He also visited al-Aqsa mosque as a guest of the waqf (Wafa, May 25, 2022).
![Mahmoud Abbas and Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.](https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/app/uploads/2022/06/word-image-1654094121403.jpeg)
Right: Mahmoud Abbas and Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu. Left: Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu (third from the left) visits the Temple Mount (Wafa, May 25, 2022).
- Senior PA figures, headed by Mahmoud Abbas, met with Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament. Mahmoud Abbas briefed her on recent developments and elaborated on “Israeli aggression” (Wafa, May 24, 2022).
- Mahmoud Abbas met in Amman with Naif bin Bandar al-Sudairi, the Saudi Arabian ambassador to Jordan, who passed along greetings from the king of Saudi Arabia and the crown prince, and said Saudi Arabia was willing to help the Palestinians achieve their goals (Wafa, May 29, 2022).
Hussein al-Sheikh appointed secretary of the PLO’s Executive Committee
- Mahmoud Abbas signed an order appointing Hussein al-Sheikh, PA minister of civilian affairs, a member of the PLO’s Executive Committee and of Fatah’s Central Committee, to the role of secretary of the PLO’s Executive Committee (Wafa, May 26, 2022). The position had remained empty since the death of Saeb Erekat in November 2020. Hussein al-Sheikh is currently one of Mahmoud Abbas’ closest allies and accompanies him to every meeting. The appointment strengthens his position as a possible future replacement for Mahmoud Abbas.
- The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) criticized the appointment on the grounds that it had not been discussed at the PLO’s Executive Committee conference and had been carried out directly by Mahmoud Abbas (alresala.net, May 27, 2022). In addition, the Palestinian media criticized the fact that the appointment had been reported first by the Israeli media (Shehab website, May 27, 2022).
![Right: The order signed by Mahmoud Abbas appointing Hussein al-Sheikh secretary of the PLO’s Executive Committee (Wafa, May 26, 2022). Left: Hussein al-Sheikh updates his Twitter account with his new appointment (Hussein al-Sheikh's Twitter account, May 26, 2022).](https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/app/uploads/2022/06/084_22_04.jpg)
Right: The order signed by Mahmoud Abbas appointing Hussein al-Sheikh secretary of the PLO’s Executive Committee (Wafa, May 26, 2022). Left: Hussein al-Sheikh updates his Twitter account with his new appointment (Hussein al-Sheikh’s Twitter account, May 26, 2022).
Investigation of the death of al-Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh
- Akram al-Khatib, the PA attorney general, presented Mahmoud Abbas with the results of the investigation into the circumstances of the death of Shireen Abu Akleh (Hussein al-Sheikh’s Twitter account, May 26, 2022). Al-Khatib later held a press conference where he related the results. He claimed they “proved” she and the group of reporters she was with had been shot at with 5.56mm sniper rifles. He claimed the shots were aimed directly at the reporters and fired without warning by IDF forces, who were nearby and shot her in the back of the head (Palestinian TV Facebook page, May 26, 2022).
![Mahmoud Abbas receives the report of the investigation (Mahmoud Abbas' Facebook page, May 26, 2022).](https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/app/uploads/2022/06/word-image-1654094123950.jpeg)
Mahmoud Abbas receives the report of the investigation (Mahmoud Abbas’ Facebook page, May 26, 2022).
- Interviewed by CNN, Muhammad Shtayyeh accused Israel of “a war crime” by causing the death of a reporter. He claimed the file was en route to the International Criminal Court in The Hague. He said they did not trust Israel’s investigation into the matter (Muhammad Shtayyeh’s Facebook page, May 25, 2022).
![Muhammad Shtayyeh interviewed by CNN (Muhammad Shtayyeh's Facebook page, May 25, 2022).](https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/app/uploads/2022/06/word-image-1654094125063.png)
Right: Muhammad Shtayyeh interviewed by CNN (Muhammad Shtayyeh’s Facebook page, May 25, 2022). Left: Palestinian cartoon casts doubts on Israel’s investigation of Shireen Abu Akleh’s death (al-Hayat al-Jadeeda, May 26, 2022).
- Following the publication of report of the Palestinian investigation, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that despite repeated requests from Israel, the Palestinians refuse to cooperate. He said requests for the bullet and findings had been denied. He added that Israel was prepared to carry out an investigation in collaboration with international groups. He stated that the claim the IDF deliberately attacks civilians or representatives of the press is a gross, malicious lie (Benny Gantz’s Twitter account, May 26, 2022).
- Hussein al-Sheikh claimed the PA had sent a copy of the report to the American administration, and another would be given to her family and al-Jazeera, where she worked (Hussein al-Sheikh’s Twitter account, May 26, 2022).
- At UN Security Council a meeting held to discuss protection for media personnel in international conflicts, Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian delegate to the UN, claimed the Palestinians were not killed by Israel because of what they had done but because of who they were. He claimed al-Akleh’s death had not been a mistake but was rather part of a program to sow fear among the Palestinians and make them submissive. Every Palestinian, he claimed, was a legitimate target. No Palestinian was immune but every Israeli was completely immune. He claimed there was nothing exceptional about al-Akleh’s death, it was simply an example of Israel’s attacks on Palestinian journalists (Wafa, May 27, 2022).
Activity with the International Criminal Court (ICC)
- Three Palestinian human rights organizations, al-Haqq, al-Medan and the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, sent a letter to the ICC asking for an urgent investigation of the events of Operation Guardian of the Walls. They include an attack on a warehouse in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip where chemicals were stored, which was, in the organizations’ opinion, an indirect use by Israel of chemical warfare, which violates international law and is a war crime. They called for the accused to be brought to trial (al-Haqq website and Wafa, May 24, 2022).
Anti-Israeli propaganda in the official PA newspaper
- Al-Hayat al-Jadeeda, the official PA newspaper, subordinate to Mahmoud Abbas’ office, published an anti-Israeli cartoon, comparing the mass shooting in the school in Uvalde, Texas, to the Israeli security forces’ killing of Palestinian children (al-Hayat al-Jadeeda, May 29, 2022).
![The alleged comparison (al-Hayat al-Jadeeda, May 29, 2022).](https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/app/uploads/2022/06/word-image-1654094125898.jpeg)
The alleged comparison (al-Hayat al-Jadeeda, May 29, 2022).
Rocks, Molotov cocktails and other attacks
- In Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem the number of incidents involving rocks thrown at Israeli vehicles driving on the roads rose significantly, especially on May 29, 2022, the day of the Flag March. Many were in the Hawwara region, south of Nablus. The most prominent were the following:[3]
- May 31, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near Hawwara, south of Nablus. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- May 30, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle between Tapuah and Ariel. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- May 30, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle Gush Etzion-Hebron road near al-Aroub, north of Hebron. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- May 30, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near Avnei Hefetz, northwest of Nablus. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- May 30, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle west of Beit Horon, west of Ramallah. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- May 29, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle on the Gush Etzion-Hebron road between al-Aroub and Bayt Ummar. No casualties were reported; the windshield of the vehicle was damaged.
- May 29, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus in east Jerusalem. No casualties were reported; the windshield of the bus was damaged.
- May 29, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus near Hizma, northeast of Jerusalem. No casualties were reported; the bus was damaged.
- May 29, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle between the Yakir Junction and Revava, southeast of Nablus. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- May 29, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle in Hawwara. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- May 29, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus north of Ma’aleh Amos, northeast of Hebron. No casualties were reported; the windshield of the bus was damaged.
- May 29, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus southeast of Bethlehem. No casualties were reported; the windshield of the bus was damaged.
- May 29, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus and other vehicles between Havat Gilad and Yitzhar, south of Nablus. No casualties were reported; the vehicles were damaged.
- May 29, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle on route 443 near Bayt Sira. A passenger was injured. The vehicle was damaged, including the windshield
- May 29, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle in Hawwara. A passenger was injured.
- May 29, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle north of the Ma’aleh Amos Junction, northeast of Hebron. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- May 28, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near Sinjil, northeast of Ramallah. No casualties were reported; the windshield of the vehicle was damaged.
- May 27, 2022: Rocks were thrown at Israeli vehicles in Hawwara. No casualties were reported; the vehicles were damaged.
- May 27, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus and vehicle near Havat Gilad, west of Nablus. No casualties were reported; the windshield of the vehicle was damaged.
- May 25, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle on the Abud bypass road, northwest of Ramallah. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- May 25, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle in Arab Tekoa southeast of Bethlehem. No casualties were reported; the windshield of the vehicle was damaged.
- May 25, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli military vehicle on the Gilad road, west of Nablus. No casualties were reported; the vehicle was damaged.
- May 24, 2022: Rocks were thrown from a passing vehicle at an Israeli bus near Sinjil, northeast of Ramallah. No casualties were reported; the bus was damaged.
- May 24, 2022: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle near Ofra, north of Ramallah. The driver was struck by a rock and injured by flying glass from the shattered windshield (Magen David Adom spokesman, May 24, 2022).
![The shattered windshield of the vehicle attacked with rocks on May 24, 2022 (Benyamin Regional Council security unit, May 24, 2022).](https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/app/uploads/2022/06/word-image-1654094127386.png)
The shattered windshield of the vehicle attacked with rocks on May 24, 2022 (Benyamin Regional Council security unit, May 24, 2022).
[1] The public response to the call was relatively poor, and most Palestinians protested on the social networks. That would seem to indicate, once again, that the majority of the Palestinian public has no interest in involvement in demonstrations or political protests. ↑f
[2] A significant attack is defined by the ITIC as involving shooting, stabbing, a vehicular attack, the use of IEDs, or a combination of the above. Stones and Molotov cocktails thrown by Palestinians are not included ↑
[3] Information and pictures from Rescue Without Borders in Judea and Samaria unless otherwise noted.