News of the Israeli-Palestinian Confrontation December 16-31, 2005

Transcription

1 Center for Special Studies Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center News of the Israeli-Palestinian Confrontation December 16-31, 2005 Escalation of rocket attacks Contents The response: a flyer announcing to local residents the establishment of a buffer zone in the northern Gaza Strip where the IDF will act against Qassam launchings. For your own safety, keep out of the areas marked on the map A Qassam rocket prepared for launching at Kibbutz Zikim in the Negev (Al-Jazeera TV, December 22, 2005) Main points Important events Preventive activities Statistical data The internal Palestinian arena Main Points During the second half of December Palestinian terrorism continued escalating. An IDF officer was killed in a suicide bombing attack at a checkpoint by two suicide bombers who were on their way to Israel, and an Israeli civilian was killed when his car was shot in the southern Hebron hills. There was also a significant increase in Gaza Strip-based Qassam rocket attacks on populated areas in the Western Negev, including strategic sites south of Ashkelon. A terrorist group in Lebanon, possibly Palestinian and possibly Palestinian-Lebanese linked to Al-Qaeda, fired Katyusha rockets at Kiriyat Shemonah and other populated areas in the western Galilee. In view of the situation, Israeli security forces took a number of preventive steps, including the establishment of a buffer zone in the northern Gaza Strip where the IDF is acting to prevent terrorist movement, air attacks against terrorist targets and operatives in the Gaza Strip, the detention of terrorist-operatives in Samaria and the closure of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. At the same time, spokesmen for the Palestinian terrorist organizations, particularly Hamas, Fatah and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) announced the end of the so-called lull in the fighting at the end of 2005 (an internal Palestinian agreement which was never actually honored by any of the groups involved). The Palestinian Authority (PA) continues to demonstrate its weakness and has had no success in curbing the rising tides of terrorism and anarchy which reached record heights during the past weeks. Signs of anarchy include the abduction of foreign nationals, Important gunmen Events taking control of institutions, public buildings and even the Rafah crossing point, and an invasion of the Bethlehem city hall on Christmas eve. IDF officer killed in a suicide bombing attack in northern Samaria

2 Important Events IDF officer killed in a suicide bombing attack in northern Samaria On December 29, 2005, a suicide bomber (accompanied by another terrorist) detonated an explosive device at an IDF roadblock on the Shavei Shomron-Einav road (south of Tulkarm). It was a surprise roadblock, hastily set up after the IDF received information that suicide bombers were planning to carry out attacks in Israel during the Hanukkah holiday vacation. A taxi arrived carrying three Palestinians. The IDF commander in charge asked one of the Palestinians to open his coat. As he did so, he detonated the explosive belt he was wearing, and in the resulting explosion, which was powerful and contained nails and metal scraps, Lieutenant Uri Binamo was killed and three other soldiers were wounded, one of the seriously. The two Palestinians in the taxi, one of whom may have accompanied the suicide bomber, were also killed. 2 Lieutenant Uri Binamo (Photo courtesy of the IDF Spokesman) Apparently the explosion at the roadblock prevented a suicide bombing attack planned for an Israeli city during the Hanukkah holiday vacation. Apparently, behind the attack was the PIJ, which claimed responsibility in a video sent to various news agencies (Agence France-Presse, December 30). According to Reuters (December 29), the suicide bomber was Alaa Abd al-latif al-sa adi, 22, who served on the Palestinian police force in Jenin. With him in the taxi was his companion Sahib Ibrahim al- Ajami, 19, from the village of Atil in the Tulkarm district.

3 The PIJ continues to be the Palestinian terrorist organization most prominent in violating the lull by carrying out suicide bombing attacks. It was responsible for five of the six suicide bombing attacks carried out since February 2005 (one, in Beersheba, was carried out by Hamas, although the PIJ was quick to falsely claim responsibility for it as well.) The attacks caused the deaths of 20 civilians and wounded approximately 160. The taxi that carried the suicide bombing attack to the Tulkarm roadblock (Photo courtesy of the Judea and Samaria Rescue Service, Yesha News Agency) Nabil Abu Rudineh, PA spokesman, said that the attack harmed Palestinian interests and again called upon the terrorist organizations to honor the lull (Voice of Palestinian Radio, December 29). However, Jibril Rajoub, the PA s national security advisor, accused Israel of being responsible for the attack, because, he claimed, Israel continued to violate its commitments to the lull (Al-Hara TV, December 29). It should be noted that Jibril Rajoub recently distinguished between rocket fire from the Gaza Strip, which he opposes, and actions against the occupation and its symbols [in the West Bank], of which he is in favor (Al- Arabiya TV, December 25). 3

4 Israeli car shot at in the southern Hebron hills Yossi Shok, an Israeli civilian from Beit Haggai, was killed when his car was shot at as he drove through the southern Hebron hills on the afternoon of December 25. A vehicle carrying terrorists passed his car and shot at it. Yossi Shok was hit and later died of his wounds. The PIJ and Fatah claimed responsibility for the attack. Significant increase in Gaza Strip-based Qassam rocket attacks During the past month there was a significant increase in the number of rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip against western Negev towns. During December there were 91 rocket attacks as opposed to 43 in November and 26 in October. In addition, for the first time since the disengagement from the Gaza Strip, Qassam rockets were fired from the northern Gaza Strip at the area south of Ashkelon, where there are strategic installations. In addition, on December 22 a Qassam rocket fell on an IDF base south of Ashkelon and injured five soldiers. Most of the Palestinian terrorist organizations claimed public responsibility for the attacks. Prominent among them were Fatah/Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC), which claimed responsibility for the attack on Ashkelon, and the PIJ, which took responsibility for the attack on the IDF base. The organizations spokesmen said that they had no intention of stopping the rocket fire and that they would not accede to the PA s demand to stop it. It should be noted that Hamas, which keeps a low profile, did not claim responsibility for any of the attacks, in our assessment because of the upcoming elections to the Palestinian Legislative Council. 4

5 Katyusha rockets fired at northern Israeli towns At about 11:30 p.m. on December 27 almost ten 107 mm rockets were fired into Israeli territory from south Lebanon. They were fired from two sites, one in the central sector of south Lebanon and the other in the western sector. From the central sector (the area of the village of Al- Addaisseh) rockets were fired at Kiriyat Shemonah. Two of them hit the city and caused property damage. From the western sector, some rockets were fired at the town of Shelomi and at other communities along the border. Hezbollah and the PFLP-GC denied any involvement in the incident. 1 The identity of the attackers has not yet been ascertained. It is possible that a Palestinian terrorist group in Lebanon fired the Katyushas, or Palestinian-Lebanese groups linked to the global jihad. In that context it should be noted that on December 29 the organization of Abu Musab al-zarqawi took responsibility.the announcement, with its anti-semitic overtones, stated that the organization had fired ten rockets at northern sites in the Jewish state, calling Jews the descendents of monkeys and pigs. In any event, regardless of who actually fired the rockets, it should be noted that they originated from areas over which Hezbollah has effective control. On December 30 a spokesman for the Lebanese army stated that in an orange grove belonging to the village of Naqoura, one of its patrols had discovered two 122 mm Katyusha rockets ready for firing at Israel. They may have been connected to the December 27 rocket attack. 1 For further information see our Special Bulletin "Katyusha rockets fired at Israeli settlements in the north" 5

6 Attempts to heat up the Israeli-Lebanese border area The wall of a house in Kiriyat Shemonah hit by a Katyusha rocket A UNIFIL officer examining the damage done to a Kiriyat Shemonah home hit by Katyusha rocket Preventive Activities A buffer zone established in the northern Gaza Strip Because of the significant increase in the number of Qassam rocket attacks, the Prime Minister and Minister of Defense accepted an IDF recommendation to establish a buffer zone in the northern Gaza Strip (on the ruins of the Israeli settlements Elei Sinai, Dugit and Nisanit). In that area, from which the terrorist organizations have recently launched Qassam rockets at Ashkelon and the towns north of the Gaza Strip, the IDF has imposed restrictions on travel to prevent, insofar as is possible, its continued exploitation as a rocket launching site. The travel restrictions in the buffer zone (Operation Blue Sky) are being enforced by a variety of activities, including Air Force cover and land fire (artillery, tank fire, etc.) Before the restrictions went into place flyers were distributed by the Air Force to prevent injury to innocent civilians. The flyers showed a map of the buffer zone and warned 6

7 residents not to go to the sites marked as of 6 p.m. on December 28 and until further notice. As part of the preventive activities, Israeli forces hit a group of three terrorists who were trying to fire a rocket from the area that had been Elei Sinai. They apparently belonged to Fatah/Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades ( December 31, 2005) Flyer warning the residents of the northern Gaza Strip: For your own safety you are hereby warned not to go to the areas marked on the map. To the residents of the Gaza Strip Warning!!! From the IDF Headquarters For your safety, read this announcement carefully and act in accordance with its contents. The IDF will carry out an intensive military action in the area of the northern Gaza Strip against the terrorist groups launching rockets into the territory of the State of Israel. For you own safety you are hereby warned not to go to the areas marked on the attached map, beginning December 28 at 18:00 and until further notice. Anyone not heeding this warning will endanger his life. You should know that the terrorist groups have taken you hostage, turned you into human shields and harm your interests. IDF Headquarters The flyer distributed to Gaza Strip residents and its translation 7

8 Gaza Erez crossing point Karni crossing point Sderot The map of the buffer zone on the IDF flyer (Courtesy of the IDF Spokesman) Palestinian reactions to the buffer zone Abu Mazen and other PA spokesmen strongly condemned the establishment of the buffer zone, saying Israel was reoccupying the Gaza Strip. Nabil Abu Rudineh, PA spokesman, noted that the Israeli decision would have negative repercussions on preparations for the Legislative Council elections and called upon the international community, the American government in particular, to exert pressure on Israel to reverse the decision (Palestinian News Agency, December 25). A spokesman for the Palestinian Interior Ministry said that the Palestinian security forces in the buffer zone were ordered to remain at their posts and that residents of the area were instructed not to leave their lands and homes (Sama News Agency, December 27). As expected, spokesmen for Fatah, Hamas and the PIJ also condemned the buffer zone. They threatened to continue firing Qassam missiles at Ashkelon and other Israeli targets, and to find solutions for the difficulties posed by Israel by extending the rockets range and launching them from areas closer to the border. They also claimed that the establishment of the buffer zone was an Israeli reoccupation of the Gaza Strip. 8

9 Additional preventive measures As part of its activities to prevent Qassam rocket launchings, the IDF has intensified its air activity over the Gaza Strip, especially in the north. Thus, on December 27 the Air Force attacked various targets, including buildings in Gaza and Beit Lahiya which served Fatah/Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades operatives. In addition, a bridge near the village of Beit Hanoun was attacked, as were roads used by the terrorist organizations to access the launching sites. An Air Force attack on a Fatah office in Beit Lahiya (Palestinian TV, December 27) Senior PFLP operative killed in Nablus On December 22, in an exchange of fire during attempted detentions in Beit Furiq (near Nablus), Israeli security forces killed Bashar Abd al-latif Adel Hanani, one of the heads of the terrorist-operative wing of the PFLP. Two of his aides were also killed after they opened fire on the Israeli force encircling the house they were hiding in. Bashar Hanani, 29, was responsible for the planning and carrying out of the suicide bombing attack in the Carmel Market 2 in Tel Aviv on November 1, 2004, in which three Israeli civilians were killed and 40 wounded. He recently became one of the most important figures in the organization s terrorist-operative infrastructure and was involved 2 The largest open-air market in central Tel Aviv. 9

10 in the planning of a long series of attacks, some of which were foiled by Israeli security forces. In recent months he planned terrorist attacks in Israel, including suicide bombing attacks. Closure on the PA-administered territories Because of the escalation in terrorist activities, as of December 16 a closure was imposed on the West Bank and Gaza Strip. PA residents are not permitted to enter Israel, with the exception of special cases (e.g., for humanitarian reasons),. Statistical Data Monthly distribution of attacks Feb-05 Mar-05 Apr-05 May-05 Jun-05 Jul-05 Aug-05 Sep-05 Oct-05 Nov-05 Dec-05 Hand grenades Explosive charges Suicide bomber Personal assaults Anti-tank fire Small arms fire Rocket fire 10

11 Monthly distribution of rocket and mortar shells Feb-05 Mar-05 Apr-05 May-05 Jun-05 Jul-05 Aug-05 Sep-05 Oct-05 Nov-05 Dec-05 Rockets Mortar shells Unidentifed Monthly distribution of Israeli casualties Feb-05 Mar-05 Apr-05 May-05 Jun-05 Jul-05 Aug-05 Sep-05 Oct-05 Nov-05 Dec-05 0 Total killed Total wounded 11

12 The Internal Palestinian Arena Anarchy increases The attempts made by the PA to enforce its authority have so far been unsuccessful. Throughout the PA-administered territories, especially in the Gaza Strip, signs of anarchy have increased during the past weeks. They have included the abduction of foreign nationals, gunfire in the streets and gunmen taking control of institutions and public buildings. Law and order have been disregarded by the Palestinian terrorist organizations, the Palestinian security forces, local clans, criminal elements and even Palestinian policemen, all with their own motives. Some incidents were related to the election campaign currently under way in the PA-administered territories and some were related to financial profit, or the furthering of political and personal agendas, or as part of criminal activity. Most prominent was the series of abductions of foreign nationals from Western countries. For example, three British citizens (a woman who is an aid worker in the Gaza Strip and her visiting parents) were pulled out of their car and abducted by armed gunmen. The latter publicized a list of demands for their release, among them an end to the buffer zone in the northern Gaza Strip (Al-Jazeera TV, December 31). Three days later all three were released unharmed. In another instance, two foreign nationals who worked at the American school in Beit Lahiya (in the northern Gaza Strip) were also abducted and released. 12 Foreign nationals abducted from the Gaza Strip: two abducted American School workers (Al-Jazeera TV, December 21)

13 Other signs of anarchy: Closing of the Rafah crossing point On December 30 several dozen armed Palestinian policemen closed the Rafah crossing point to protest the killing of one of their number in the Al-Shajaeya neighborhood of Gaza. As a result, a decision was made to evacuate the European observers. Representatives of the Europeans and the PA attempted to play down the importance of the incident. Three hours after the demonstrations quieted down the crossing point was reopened. Takeover of public buildings and institutions A group armed Fatah operatives took over a series of government buildings, among them the Palestinian electric company in the center of the Gaza Strip, government offices in Deir al-balah and others. They did so, they claimed, because they wanted jobs in the Palestinian security forces (Ramatan News Agency, December 22). Palestinian security forces fired on Armed Hamas operatives fired at a Palestinian police patrol in Gaza. Two policemen were wounded (Internet site of the Palestinian Intifada, December 24). Invasion of the Bethlehem city hall A number of senior Fatah/Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades operatives invaded the Bethlehem city hall on Christmas eve to protest the fact that Abu Mazen had not acceded to their demands regarding rehabilitation and aid (Hamas Internet site, December 22). Some of the above were related to the Fatah primary elections and to the upcoming Palestinian Legislative Council elections. In various places throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip (Rafah, Khan Yunis, Deir al-balah, east Jerusalem) armed Fatah/Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades operatives took over election committee offices. The central election committee appealed to the Palestinian security forces to put an end to the attacks to ensure that the election process would not be disrupted. 13

14 Elections under the shadow of anarchy: armed Fatah/Al- Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades operatives take over election headquarters in Khan Yunis (Al-Arabiya TV, December 29) The Palestinian terrorist organizations: the lull in the fighting has come to an end As 2005 passed into 2006, the Palestinian terrorist organizations announced that the so-called lull had ended: Khaled al-batash, a senior operative of the PIJ, a terrorist organization which in any case did everything it could to sabotage the lull from its inception, announced on December 26 that the Palestinian Islamic Jihad viewed itself as not bound by the lull (German News Agency, December 27; Al-Sharq al-awsat, December 28). Abu Hamza, a senior Jerusalem Battalions operative in the West Bank, said that despite PA and Egyptian pressure, the PIJ s position was not to renew the lull (Sama News Agency, December 31). A Hamas delegation which met in Lebanon with the Hassan Nasrallah, the general secretary of Hezbollah, stated that the lull was temporary and had been dictated at the time by political necessity. The correct strategic option now, they said, was resistance [i.e., the continuing of terrorist attacks] (Hamas Internet site, December 23). Khaled Mashal, head of Hamas s political bureau, said in an interview with the weekly newspaper Al-Sabil that his movement did not see any 14

15 reason to continue the lull beyond 2005, although it was in favor of logical, mature resistance and not lawless resistance. 3 On December 26, at a joint press conference, Fatah/Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades and PIJ/Jerusalem Battalions spokesmen said that they were opposed to a renewal of the lull. They said that the lull has gone with the wind [and the] rocket launchings [would] continue (Ramatan News Agency, December 26). Fatah/Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades spokesmen announced that their commitment to the lull would end on December 31 at midnight and called upon their operatives to be ready to carry out attacks, including suicide bombing attacks (Agence France- Presse, December 31). Muhammad Hijazi, commander of Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades in the Gaza Strip, said that the lull could not currently be extended because of Israeli activity in the Gaza Strip (Sama News Agency, December 31). The Palestinian terrorist organizations threaten to disrupt traffic through the Rafah crossing point It was recently reported that PA representatives at the Rafah crossing point prevented a number of senior terrorist-operatives from leaving the Gaza Strip for a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Among them were Jemal Samhadana (a senior Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) operative in the Gaza Strip), Ahmad al-ja bari (a senior operative from Hamas s terrorist-operative wing) and Khaled Dahduh (a senior member of the PIJ s terrorist-operative wing in the Gaza Strip). As a result, both Hamas and the PRC hurled severe criticism at the PA and even threatened to stop its activities by using extreme measures, such as kidnapping European 3 For further information about Hamas statements, see our December 1-15 News of the Israeli- Palestinian Confrontation Update 15

16 observers stationed at the Rafah crossing. A senior member of the PRC s terroristoperative wing threatened that his organization would blow up the fence separating Egypt and the PA (i.e., the wall along the Philadelphi route) to ensure freedom of movement at the crossing point for resistance activists (i.e., terrorist-operatives) (Ma'a News Agency, December 26). A different spokesman threatened that the resistance was preparing surprises to cleanse the Rafah crossing point and to ensure its full Palestinian sovereignty (Ramatan News Agency, December 25). 16