News of the Israeli-Palestinian Confrontation March 1-15, 2006 and surrender Contents

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1 Center for Special Studies Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center News of the Israeli-Palestinian Confrontation March 1-15, 2006 Siege and surrender Contents IDF forces surrounding the Jericho prison (Al-Jazeera TV, March 14 The six prisoners surrender after hours of siege (Al-Jazeera TV, March 14) Main points IDF captures Israeli Minister Ze evi s assassins Other events The Lebanese arena Statistical data The internal Palestinian arena Maiin poiinttss Recent events focused on the IDF siege of the Jericho prison (Operation First Fruits), during which five Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) terrorist-operatives were captured. The five had been involved in the assassination of Israeli Minister Rechavam Ze evi in October Most important among them was Ahmad Sa adat, PFLP general secretary. Also captured was Fuad Shobaki, Arafat s financial advisor and the man behind the Karin A arms deal with Iran, which, had it been completed, was likely to have seriously escalated the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The IDF action was carried out after the pullout of the American and British Jericho Monitoring Mission, which had kept watch over the six in prison (in accordance with the Ramallah agreement of April 2002). The reason given was the Palestinian Authority (PA) s lack of compliance with the terms of the agreement and its inability to ensure the monitors safety. Additional, in our assessment, was the assumption that since Hamas had won the Palestinian Legislative Council elections, the new Hamas government, in which the PFLP was expected to participate, might release Ahmad Sa adat and the other incarcerated PFLP terrorists. The Palestinian response to the operation was a wave of indiscriminate kidnappings. The victims were foreign nationals mainly employed in humanitarian capacities in the PA-administered territories, primarily in the Gaza Strip. More than 13 foreigners were kidnapped, most of them by PFLP terroristoperatives who publicly announced that they would not hesitate to attack American and British targets, and indeed, foreign institutions were also attacked. Most of the victims were released within hours of their kidnapping. In the internal Palestinian arena, the three weeks allotted Hamas to form the new government ended. The movement received a two-week extension. During the coalition negotiations Hamas reported some of Abu Mazen s positions, especially those relating to the question of recognizing Israel and the continuation of terrorist activities in the West Bank.

2 The IDF capttured tthe assassiins off Israellii Miiniistter Rechavam Ze evii afftter tthe Ameriican and Briittiish Moniittoriing Miissiion llefftt tthe PA priison iin Jeriicho After the American and British Monitoring Mission left the Jericho prison because of the PA s non-compliance with the terms of the Ramallah agreement (which would guarantee their safety), the Israeli forces entered Jericho. During an operation called First Fruits, the forces encircled the prison and captured five PFLP terrorist-operatives who had been involved in the assassination of Israeli Minister Rechavam Ze evi, and another terrorist activist. Among those captured were Ahmad Sa adat, PFLP general secretary, and Fuad al-shobaki, a PA financial figure who was an Arafat confidant and behind the Karin A arms deal with Iran in January In the crossfire between the Israeli forces and the Palestinian security forces three Palestinians were killed and 12 wounded. The IDF suffered no casualties. The five terrorist-operatives involved in Rechavam Ze evi s assassination and Fuad Shobaki were incarcerated in the Jericho prison in accordance with an international agreement arrived at in April 2002, which provided that American and British monitors would watch over them. The terms of the agreement, like the terms of many others, were never honored by the PA. Thus the operation in Jericho sent a clear message that the lack of a partner in the PA meant Israel would not hesitate to take unilateral action to prevent its national and security interests from being harmed. Spokesmen for the PA and the various Palestinian terrorist organizations presented the pullout of the foreign monitors and the IDF s siege of Jericho as an Israeli-American- British conspiracy, part of Israel s pre-election escalation policy. A PFLP spokesman threatened reprisals against Israel and foreign nationals, thereby legitimizing future attacks. 2

3 ] In fact, on March 14 there was a wave of violence which included the kidnapping of foreigners (most of whom were quickly released) and attacks on foreign institutions, mostly in the Gaza Strip. Most of them were carried out by the PFLP with Fatah/Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades participation. 1 Otther eventts One Israeli civilian killed and another wounded in drive-by shootings on the trans-samaria highway On March 1 an Israeli civilian was killed in a drive-by shooting at the gas station near the community of Migdalim on the trans-samaria highway, southeast of Nablus. The victim was Eldad Abir, a Migdalim resident. Approximately two hours later, another Israeli civilian was wounded in a drive-by shooting near the village of Nebi Elias, near the community of Ma aleh Shomron. Both attacks were apparently carried out by the same squad of terrorists. Fatah/Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility for both attacks. Eldad Abir (Picture from the Israeli Foreign Ministry Website) Israeli civilian stabbed at the Atarot industrial area On March 2, an Israeli civilian truck driver who was unloading merchandise in the industrial area of Atarot (north of Jerusalem) was stabbed and moderately wounded. A 1 For further information see our Special Bulletin IDF operation seizes the assassins of late Israeli minister, Rechavam Ze evi, at 3

4 Palestinian lay in wait and then fell upon him and stabbed him in the neck. The assailant, who worked with the truck driver, escaped. It should be noted that since the beginning of February there has been a serious increase in the number of stabbings in Judea and Samaria, killing an Israeli woman and wounding nine other Israeli civilians. No change recorded in the incidence of rockets fired at population centers in the western Negev During the first two weeks of March there was no change in the incidence of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip at Israeli population IDF operation at the Jericho prison; 39 were recorded during the previous two weeks. No damage was reported and there were no casualties. Most of the rockets were launched by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and Fatah/Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades with no Hamas participation. The IDF returned fire, striking at the access roads to the launching sites. Scenes from a Palestinian Islamic Jihad film documenting the rocket launchings (Al-Arabiya TV, March 3) Senior PIJ terrorist-operative dies in targeted killing In the eastern part of Gaza City on March 6, a car carrying Muneir Muhammad Muhammad Suqar, a senior PIJ terrorist-operative, was attacked from the air, killing him and three other terrorist-operatives. Muneir Suqar was involved in the launching of Qassam rockets, in placing side charges and in smuggling weapons to terroristoperatives. In recent months he had been involved in smuggling terrorists armed with explosive belts from the Gaza Strip to the Sinai for the purpose of carrying out attacks in Israel. 4

5 The remains of Suqar s car (Palestinian TV, March 6) Arrest of two Palestinian youths at an IDF checkpoint near Nablus prevented a mega-attack in Israel Two Palestinian youths, aged 17 and 18, who arrived at the Beit Eiba checkpoint west of Nablus, aroused the suspicions of the soldiers stationed there and were arrested. An examination of their bags revealed an explosive device weighing about 20 kilos (44 lbs) inside a container of olives. During interrogation the two admitted that they had planned to bring the device to the center of Israel to carry out an attack, probably during the Purim holiday. Senior PIJ terrorist-operative killed On March 1, Khaled Sh aban Ibrahim Dahdouh, a senior PIJ terrorist-operative, was killed when a car bomb exploded in the street next to him (Ma'a News Agency, March 1). The PIJ accused Israel of killing him. In retaliation Qassam missiles were fired at population centers in the northern Negev. 5

6 The car that killed Khaled Dahdoh (Palestinian TV, March 1) The Karni crossing point opens Israel decided to reopen the Karni merchandise crossing point in the northern Gaza Strip as of Thursday morning, March 9. The decision was made for humanitarian reasons, despite threats of terrorist attacks. However, the opening is limited and conditional upon the situation, which will be reevaluated daily. The Karni crossing point serves as a main artery for merchandise into the Gaza Strip and was closed on February 21 because of warnings of planned attacks at the Karni crossing. The Lebanese arena The Lebanese army announced it had uncovered the existence of a global jihad cell The Lebanese army announced that its intelligence directorate had uncovered and arrested a cell of eight terrorists, four Lebanese and four Palestinians with connections to the global jihad. The cell belonged to a terrorist Islamic organization which was stockpiling weapons in various places in Lebanon. The eight operated in Beirut, Sidon and the town of Majdal Anjar in the Lebanese Beqa a valley (Lebanese News Agency, March 10; Al-Safir, March 11). The Lebanese media reported that the members of the cell had vast quantities of weapons in their possession, including rockets and explosives, some of which they imported into Lebanon and some of which they purchased on the local market. The weapons were hidden in the terrorists homes and in caches in other locations (Al-Diyar, March 11). One of the key members of the cell was a Palestinian who had also smuggled terrorist-operatives and weapons into Iraq (Al-Safir, March 11). It was also reported that the cell had been involved in launching rockets into Israel (on December 27, 2005). 6

7 Some of the weapons found in the cell s possession (Pictures: Al-Arabiya TV, March 11) Alert along the northern border On March 13 the IDF raised the alert level along Israel s northern border because of apprehension that Hezbollah was planning to attack an outpost or kidnap an Israeli soldier or civilian, and in the wake of threats issued by the terrorist organizations after the operation in Jericho. Reinforcements were brought in, farmers living near the border were instructed not to work in the fields near the protective fence and a number of roads were closed. Sttattiisttiicall datta Monthly distribution of the attacks carried out since the disengagement Rocket Fire Small Arms Fire Anti-Tank Fire Personal Assaults Suicide Bombers Explosive Charges Grenades Aug-05 Sep-05 Oct-05 Nov-05 Dec-05 Jen 05 Feb-06 March 1-15

8 Monthly distribution of rocket and mortar shells Aug-05 Sep-05 Oct-05 Nov-05 Dec-05 Jan-06 Feb-06 March 1-15 Mortar Shells Mortar Shells Unidentified Monthly distribution of Israeli casualties Aug-05 Sep-05 Oct-05 Nov-05 Dec-05 Jan-06 Feb-06 March Total Killed Total Wounded

9 The iintternall Pallesttiiniian arena Forming the new government On March 13, the three weeks allotted to Hamas to form the new Palestinian government ended. During the coalition negotiations deep rifts were exposed between the basic positions of Hamas-affiliated and those of Abu Mazen and Fatah. In view of its failure, in accordance with Palestinian law, Hamas was given an extension of two weeks to form the government. Deliberations headed by Ismail Haniyeh to form the government (Picture from the Hamas Website, March 14) Hamas issued a draft of the new government s basic guidelines, which include support for terrorism and do not mention recognition of the right of the State of Israel to exist In the midst of its negotiations to form a government, on March 12 Hamas issued a draft of the basic guidelines of its proposed government. The following are those which relate to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict (according to Ramatan News Agency, March 12): 9 The establishment of a Palestinian state: The expulsion of the Israeli occupation and the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital [Hamas deliberately avoids mentioning that its basic position as outlined in its charter -- is that the state will encompass all of Palestine, i.e., the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and the State of Israel, whose right to exist it denies.]

10 The right of return: Adherence to the right of return of all Palestinian refugees to their homes and property, which will not be ceded either as an individual or collective right. The continuation of terrorist attacks: The various forms of resistance [i.e., terrorism and violence directed against Israel} are the legitimate right of the Palestinian people in its struggle to liberate the occupied land and to regain its national rights. Holding negotiations with Israel over withdrawal from the PAadministered territories: If Israel recognizes Palestinians national rights, and has a serious proposal for withdrawing from the territories occupied in 1967, including east Jerusalem, then it will be possible to deal with a mechanism for negotiation. Recognizing previous Israeli-PA agreements: The new government will be willing to relate to the reality created by previous agreements while retaining the right to reexamine them to preserve the rights and interests of the Palestinian people. Those guidelines, some of which are deliberately obscure, are in direct contradiction to Abu Mazen s principles as he articulated them at the Palestinian Legislative Council swearing-in ceremony on February 18. Azzam al-ahmad, chairman of the Fatah faction in the Palestinian Legislative Council, stated that Hamas s basic principles could not serve as a foundation for an understanding between the two sides. He further stated that the guidelines issued by Hamas did not correspond to what the movement had been requested to provide according to Abu Mazen s letter of appointment because they did not include recognition of the State of Israel (Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, March 12). Ismail Haniyeh, the designated prime minister, stated in response that the principles of the new government would be based on the Hamas charter. However, he said, to find a common denominator with other factions [with which Hamas was interested in forming a coalition government], the rich Arabic language could be used to settle disagreements, so that every side felt it had achieved what it wanted and that its political viewpoint would find a place in the government (Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, March 11). 10

11 The new government s character Senior Hamas leaders had the following to say about key internal and foreign political issues as they would be reflected in the future government: Internal policies: In an interview on Radio Sawt Al-Aqsa on March 3, Aziz Dweik, Hamas s chairman of the Palestinian Legislative Council, said that the Hamas government would change textbooks, close down the casino in Jericho and pass a law forbidding dishonoring the name of Allah. (However, to calm the Palestinian people s fears, regarding issues such as drinking alcohol, it would aspire to serve as an example of a way of life suitable for Islam). Aziz Dweik during a visit to Nablus (From the Hamas Website, March 14) Terrorist activity against Israel: Mahmoud al-zahar, one of the senior leaders of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, said that Hamas would not abandon the path of resistance (i.e., violence and terrorism directed at Israel). He said that he would not disband Hamas s terrorist-operative wing and would even improve its capabilities (Qudsnet Website, March 5). A Fatah/Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades commander made the same claim, saying that since the disengagement (August 2005) the Brigades operational (i.e., terrorist) capabilities had improved and that they were being trained at new bases with new methods by military experts who had had training abroad (Palestinian news Website Madar, March 10). 11 Recognizing the State of Israel: Ismail Haniyeh made it clear that the new government would not bow before international pressure to recognize Israel (Al-

12 Shuruq, March 10). During a BBC radio program, Musa Abu Marzouq, deputy head of the Hamas political bureau, said that recognizing Israel and negotiating with Israel were two separate issues. He claimed Syria as an example of a country which had negotiated with Israel without recognizing it. He also claimed that since the Palestinians were living under Israeli occupation, they were forced to negotiate with Israel on daily matters, but when it came to recognizing Israel, the decision was in their hands (BBC Radio, March 11). The Hamas delegation on tour in Russian and Saudi Arabia The Hamas delegation headed by Khaled Mashal continued its tour of Russia and Saudi Arabia. It plans to visit Kuwait, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Africa and South America. The goal of the trip is to recruit political and financial support for Hamas and to break out of its international isolation. So far, the delegation has been in Russia (March 3-5), where it met with representatives of the Foreign Ministry, headed by the foreign minister, Sergei Labrov. They also met with heads of the Russian parliament and with the Mufti of Russia and the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. The members of the delegation expressed satisfaction with the results of the visit and said that Russia had not exerted pressure on them to recognize Israel (Al- Alam TV, March 3) Khaled Mashal in Russia (Al- Alam TV, March 3). The Russians tried to present Hamas as a political movement capable of controlling the situation, operating for the good of the Palestinians and fighting the corruption of the previous Palestinian government. They also presented Hamas as willing on principle 12

13 and under certain conditions to accept the previous agreements between the PA and Israel, if it were done on a mutual basis. On March 10 the delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia, where it met with the Saudi foreign minister and other senior government members, but so far not with King Abdallah. At the meetings they discussed Hamas-Saudi cooperation and Saudi political and financial aid for the future Palestinian government (Ramatan News Agency, March 10.) 13