News of the Israeli-Palestinian Confrontation July 16-31, 2007

Transcription

1 Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Israel Intelligence' Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC) News of the Israeli-Palestinian Confrontation July 16-31, 20 Fatah operatives on the West Bank return their weapons Weapons returned to the Palestinian security services as part of the arrangement concerning wanted Fatah operatives (Al-Jazeera TV, July 16) and rocket launching continues in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Abu Rish Brigades (affiliated with Fatah) claim responsibility for firing rockets at Kerem Shalom (Al-Jazeera TV, July 29). Contents Overview Important Events Counterterror ist Activities Statistical Data The Gaza Strip Crossings Internal Palestinian Arena The Terrorist Summit in Damascus Overview Rocket fire from the Gaza Strip at the western Negev settlements continues; the leading organization responsible was the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The attacks caused slight injuries to several Israeli civilians and damaged property. At the same time, Israeli security force pinpoint counterterrorist activities in the Gaza Strip continue (detention of terrorist operatives, seizure of weapons, the prevention of attempted rocket launchings and targeted killings). The split within the Palestinian Authority continues to widen into two territorial and ideological entities: one under the full control of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and the other dominated by Fatah in Judea and Samaria. The struggle between them is manifested by incidents on the ground (exemplified by the one at Al-Najah University in Nablus) and by the political-propaganda struggle designed to provide each with legitimacy in the eyes of various target audiences (the Palestinian population, the Arab-Muslim world and the international community, especially Russia, recently visited by Abu Mazen).

2 Important Events Rockett ffiire att westtern Negev settttllementts conttiinues 2 During the last two weeks of July rockets continued to be fired at the western Negev settlements from the Gaza Strip. Some of the attacks were premeditated and some were responses to the IDF s counterterrorist activities. There were 32 identified rocket hits in Israeli territory. A total of 55 rocket hits were identified in July, as opposed to 120 in June. At the same time, mortar shells were fired at IDF forces operating in the Gaza Strip, at the crossings and at Israeli settlements close to the border fence. On July 22 one of the rockets hit the Sapir College near Sderot, slightly wounding an Israeli woman. On July 23 there was a direct rocket hit on a house in Kibbutz Carmia. An eight month-old baby girl was slightly wounded and her mother and grandmother had to be treated for shock; considerable damage was done to the building. On July 26 a rocket hit a house in Sderot, slightly wounding a woman and causing considerable property damage. Responsibility for most of the attacks was claimed by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which has been the organization behind most of them since Hamas took over the Gaza Strip. Hamas has generally refrained from firing rockets into Israeli territory, although it does fire mortar shells at targets close to the border fence. Sderot residents examining the damage caused by rocket fire (Amir Cohen for Reuters, July 16). 2

3 3 PIJ tterroriistt operattiive iinvollved iin tthe murders off tthe Hattuell ffamiilly dettaiined On June 6, Jihad Suleiman Abu Daher, a PIJ operative, was detained during Israeli security force operations in the Gaza Strip. During interrogation he admitted to having been involved in a series of attacks, including the one which took place on the Kissufim road on May 2, 2004, in which an Israeli woman named Tali Hatuel and her four daughters were murdered. 1 The Gaza Sttriip Counterterrorist Activities Israeli security forces continue carrying out pinpoint counterterrorist activities in the Gaza Strip. Most of the actions involve detaining terrorist operatives, exposing weapons caches and preventing terrorist squads from firing rockets. Some of the actions were the following: On July 22, during security force operations near the Erez Crossing, two armed terrorist operatives threw a hand grenade at an IDF force. The soldiers returned fire and killed the terrorists. Both belonged to Hamas terrorist operative wing and had been planning to ambush the security forces operating in the area (Hamas/Izzedine al-qassam Brigades Website, July 22). On July 26, the Israeli Air Force struck a number of terrorist targets. In one attack three PIJ operatives were killed in a moving vehicle in the center of the Gaza Strip. They were Omar Arafat al-khatib, a senior commander of Hamas terrorist operative wing, and two of his bodyguards. PIJ spokesmen have threatened to avenge his death (Filastin al- An Website, July 26). 1 For further information see the July 15, 20 Bulletin entitled IDF security forces operating in the Gaza Strip detained a Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist operative involved in the May 2004 attack along the Kissufim road in which a woman and her four daughters were killed, at 3

4 4 Ismail Haniya comforting members of Omar al-khatib s family (Al- Aqsa TV, July 26). Omar al-khatib s vehicle, struck by the Israeli Air Force (Al-Jazeera TV, July 26) On July 26, during an IDF action in the southern Gaza Strip, six armed terrorists were shot. In the northern Gaza Strip an IDF force near the border fence opened fire and killed two terrorists who threw hand grenades at them; the attack took place near the northern Gaza Strip near the border fence. Both belonged to Fatah and were involved in laying charges in the area (IDF Spokesman, July 26). On July 28, an IDF force shot and killed two armed men seen laying a charge near the security fence close to Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip. The two belonged to Fatah/Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade and had rifles, hand grenades and a side charge in their possession. On July 30, five Palestinians, some of them passersby, were hurt when the Israeli Air Force struck a vehicle carrying Fatah and PIJ operatives. Judea and Samariia Counterterrorist activities continue in Judea and Samaria. Detentions were carried out and weapons were confiscated. Notable was the detention of Adham Muhammad Abd al-aziz Yunes, a PIJ operative from the village of Allar (near Tulkarm) on July 26. He had escorted the suicide bomber who carried out the attack at the Sharon shopping mall in Netanya on December 5, 2005, which killed five Israeli civilians and wounded more than 50. In addition, he was involved in planning a foiled suicide bombing attack in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, in 4

5 5 February 20, and in dozens of shooting and side charge attacks against the Israeli security forces. 2 Statistical Data Montthlly diisttriibuttiion off attttacks Aug -Sep -Oct Non Dac -Jan -Feb -Mar -Apr -May -Jun -Jul 0 Grenades Explosive Charges Suicide Bombers Personal Assaults Anti-Tank Fire Small Arms Fire Rocket Fire 5 2 For further information see the December 6, 2005 Bulletin entitled The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) carries out another suicide bombing attack at the entrance to the shopping mall in Netanya, killing five Israeli civilians and wounding more than 50, at and the February 23, 20 Bulletin Prevention of Palestinian Islamic Jihad suicide bombing attack in Tel Aviv. at

6 6 Montthlly diisttriibuttiion off rockett hiitts Aug- Sep- Oct- Nov- Dec- Jan- Feb- Mar- Apr- May- Jun- Jule- 0 Montthlly diisttriibuttiion off Israellii casuallttiies Total Killed Total Wounded Jun- 3 Jul- 1 Aug- 1 Sep- 0 Oct- 3 Nov- 0 Dec- 3 Jan- 1 Feb- 5 0 Mar- 0 Apr- 2 May- 0 Jun- 1 Jul During the last two weeks of July, in addition to rocket fire, 27 mortar hits were identified, bringing the month s total to 69. 6

7 7 The Gaza Strip Crossings The Raffah Crossiing The problem of opening the Rafah Crossing, the Gaza Strip s only direct passage into Egypt and the Western world, has yet to be resolved. Osama al-zini, a senior Hamas figure, hinted that the crossing might be opened by force if a political solution could not be found. He said that we know how to open the crossing and we have the means to do it. However, first we are seeking a political-diplomatic solution. If that fails we will take steps to force the entire world to pay attention to us and to open the crossing (PalToday Website, July 31). As part of the ongoing contacts to enable the 5,000 Gaza Strip residents held up on the Egyptian side to return to their homes, an arrangement was reached whereby they would pass from Egypt to Israel through the Nitzana Crossing and enter the Gaza Strip through the Erez Crossing. Between Sunday, July 29, and Tuesday, July 31, three groups totally 717 Gaza Strip residents passed through the two crossings. The passage of daily groups of approximately 300 individuals is planned. According to a Hamas-affiliated Internet site, the Palestinian embassy in Egypt refuses to include Hamas operative names on the list who are permitted to pass into the Gaza Strip (Filastin Mubashir, July 30). Trucks loaded with humanitarian aid waiting on the Egyptian side for the Rafah Crossing to open (Egyptian TV, July 30). A group of the Gaza Strip residents held up at the Rafah Crossing return through the Erez Crossing (Al-Jazeera TV, July 29). 7

8 8 I ll be let through, I won t be let through, I ll be let through The suffering of the Gaza Strip residents held up at the Rafah Crossing (Al-Ayyam, July 12). A $100 bill with a note from Ismail Haniya, distributed from his office to Gaza Strip residents waiting at the Rafah Crossing (Paldf Forum, July 16). Hamas uses the aid as public relations ploy in its propaganda war with Fatah and Abu Mazen. The Crossiings bettween Israell and tthe Gaza Sttriip The crossings from Israel into the Gaza Strip are partially open and operate on an emergency footing. Emphasis is put on the passage of humanitarian aid to prevent the deterioration of the economic situation. The situation as of July 31 was the following: The Erez Crossing: still operates keeping a low profile. It usually serves for the passage of individuals, and is used by Palestinian civilians and foreign nationals with special advance authorization (primarily for those given humanitarian consideration). The Karni Crossing: opens and closes periodically. The volume of merchandise passing through it has decreased significantly. Mostly grain passes through. The Nahal Oz Crossing: open. Fuel and gas pass through. 8

9 9 The Sufa Crossing: open. The crossing continues as the main conduit for merchandise and foodstuffs into the Gaza Strip (2,847 trucks have passed though since Hamas took over the Gaza Strip). The Kerem Shalom Crossing: opens and closes periodically. Four hundred and twenty trucks have passed through since Hamas took over the Gaza Strip. The partial functioning of the crossings has prevented a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. However, its economy has frozen because raw materials have not entered and marketable products have not exited. 9

10 Key to the crossings between 10 the Gaza Strip and Israel and Egypt: Ashqelon Gaza Sderot The Erez Crossing Khan Yunis The Karni Crossing Rafah The Sufa Crossing The Rafah Crossing The Kerem Shalom Crossing 10

11 11 The Internal Palestinian Arena Viiollentt cllashes bettween Fattah and Hamas iin tthe Gaza Sttriip conttiinue Despite the fact that security in the Gaza Strip has stabilized, and to a lesser extent in Judea and Samaria, there are still clashes between forces affiliated with Fatah and those affiliated with Hamas. In Samaria there was a violent clash on July 24 at Al-Najah University in Nablus between students active in Fatah and members of the Islamic Block (Hamas student wing). The clash occurred after a Fatah attempt to prevent Hamas supporters from distributing a flyer on campus. During the clash a Hamas activist student was killed. Ten others were wounded, most of them Hamas supporters, and the Dean of Students building was set on fire. Security services deployed in the area and dispersed the students involved, detaining 15 Hamas supporters. The university administration, which condemned the Islamic Block and held it responsible for the incident, decided to cancel classes until further notice. In addition, it announced that ten students would be expelled because of their involvement in the clash (Al-Hayat al-jadeeda, July 25). Fatah and Hamas blamed each other for the incident. Fatah spokesmen accused the Islamic Block of Al-Najah University of encouraging violence and of incitement within the university walls. Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, accused the Palestinian security services of hurting students and of trying to bring violence to the universities in Judea and Samaria, and blamed Abu Mazen. 11

12 12 A Hamas demonstration in Gaza protesting the incident at Al-Najah University. The demonstrators are carrying signs bearing the picture of the student killed in the clash (Al-Jazeera TV, July 29). In an incident in Rafah in the Gaza Strip on July 23, Ashraf Jumaa, a Fatah member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, was attacked, apparently by members of Hamas Executive Force. He and 11 other individuals were wounded. The attack was apparently motivated by accusations that he had given Salam Fayyad s government the names of policemen who returned to work under the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip to prevent them from receiving their salaries. The attack on Ashraf Jumaa led to a wave of reactions. Ten Hamas activists were wounded at a Fatah demonstration held to protest the attack. (Wafa News Agency, July 23). A delegation of Hamas representatives visited Ashraf Jumaa at his home, expressed their regret over the incident and demanded that those who had attacked him be brought to trial (Qudsnet Website, July 24). Hamas esttablliishes a new securiitty fforce iin tthe Gaza Sttriip On July 31 the interior ministry of Ismail Haniya s government announced that it was making preparations for the establishment of a new security force which would be called the internal security force. It would have hundreds of experienced members who had worked in security in the past. An interior ministry spokesman said that many members of former security sservices in the Gaza Strip (including Palestinian preventive security) would be integrated into the new force (Al-Quds al-arabi, Ma an News Agency, July 31). 12

13 13 Recommendattiions off Fattah s commiittttee off iinvesttiigattiion whiich examiined tthe Hamas ttakeover off tthe Gaza Sttriip On July 27 Abu Mazen received the recommendations of Fatah s internal investigatory committee which had examined the events taking place when Hamas took over the Gaza Strip. The committee s findings indicated the need for comprehensive internal changes in the PA security system. Rafiq al-husseini, head of the presidential bureau, stated that the committee would recommend that several dozen members of the security services, regardless of their rank, if they bore responsibility for the events in the Gaza Strip would be brought to trial. At the same time, Muhammad Dahlan, the PA s national security advisor, tendered his resignation. Informed Palestinian sources said that Abu Mazen had decided to appoint his former security advisor, Jibril Rajoub, as Palestinian national security advisor and as in charge of direct coordination between all the Palestinian security services (Firas Website, July 28). So far no official statement has been issued. On the other hand, Muhammad Dahlan s supporters claim that the investigatory committee had used them as scapegoats, and pointed the finger at Abu Mazen and the Fatah leadership. Samir al-mashharawi, a senior Hamas figure in the Gaza Strip, asked in an interview how long will the political leadership avoid taking responsibility for the defeat in the Palestinian Legislative Council elections and after that in Gaza?... If we want to be objective, we have to try 30 members of the [Palestinian] Authority s leadership before we try [Muhammad] Dahlan (Qudspress News Agency, July 30). During a different interview, al- Mashharawi pointed the finger at Abu Mazen, saying Abu Mazen had made a great mistake. He chose to compromise with Hamas time after time because he thought they were partners (From an interview with Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Website, July 30). The wantted--tterroriistt arrangementt getts underway On July 12 the arrangement regarding Fatah s wanted operative got underway. It concerns between wanted men who belong to Fatah/Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade in Judea and Samaria. Most of them are from Nablus, although terrorists from other locations appear on the 13

14 14 list. According to the arrangement, they are supposed to cease all involvement in terrorist activity, hand their weapons over to the security services and consider themselves under their authority. So far there has been a considerable response from among the wanted terrorists. Most of them committed themselves in writing to the terms of the arrangement, handed over their weapons and joined the Palestinian security services. Senior Fatah terrorists are also on the list, such as Zakaria Zubeidi, Fatah/Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade leader in the Jenin region, who accepted the arrangement with several dozen of his men. It was reported that other Fatah operatives are expected to accept the arrangement, and even those from other terrorist organizations. The true test will be the extent of the wanted terrorist organization operatives willingness to abide by its conditions and the degree to which the Palestinian security services are willing (and able) to impose their authority and ensure that the arrangement will be implemented. In addition, the agreement is partial and does not include all the wanted terrorists in Judea and Samaria. Therefore terrorist operatives not included in the arrangement can be expected to continue their activities, and that Israeli security force counterterrorist activities will also continue. Priisoners relleased On Friday, July 20, 255 Palestinian prisoners were released, most of them Fatah operatives, part the Israeli goodwill gesture promised by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Among those released was Abd al-rahim Malluh, the deputy secretary general of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Abu Mazen received the released prisoners in Ramallah, saying that their release was only the first step. Prisoner affairs minister Ashraf al-ajrami noted that it was a small step but that the release of every prisoner was a blessed event. Hamas, on the other hand, belittled the importance of the event and criticized Abu Mazen for worrying only about Fatah. 14

15 15 The released prisoners arrive at the Muqataa in Ramallah (Palestinian TV, July 20). The guiidelliines off Sallam Fayyad s governmentt regardiing tthe Pallesttiiniian--Israellii confflliictt On July 27, Wafa, a Palestinian news agency, reported the guidelines of the interim government headed by Salam Fayyad. They were supposed to have been presented to the Legislative Council by the prime minister in advance of a vote of confidence in the government. However, in the end the Legislative Council did not meet because it did not have a quorum after the Fatah representatives boycotted the meeting. The government s guidelines, which deal with a wide variety of internal and external issues, express Abu Mazen and Salam Fayyad s familiar worldview. The most important points regarding the conflict with Israel and internal Palestinian security are the following: Emphasis on the Palestinian commitment to the option of peace as a strategic option and the necessity resulting from the political situation and the international commitment of the Palestinian people. The Palestinian goal is the end of the Israeli occupation [sic] and the establishment of an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital in all the territories captured in 1967 [with no specific mention made of the recognition of the right of the State of Israel to exist as a Jewish state coexisting in peace side by side with a Palestinian state]. A called for finding a just and agreed upon solution for the problem of the Palestinian refugees, based on UN General Assembly Resolution 194 (December 11, 1948). 15

16 16 Adherence to bilateral agreements signed in the past by the PLO and Israel. Reinforcing the status of Jerusalem and the status of the Palestinian government in Jerusalem, and strengthening Palestinian Jerusalem residents ability to stand fast. Paying special attention to the prisoners and detainees in Israeli prisons and helping the families of the dead and wounded. A struggle against exploiting religion for political-factional needs and against the use made of religion to justify acts of killing and destruction [i.e., confronting Hamas and its political use of Islam]. Ending the anarchy, collecting the weapons of the armed [i.e., terrorist organization operatives] and realizing the ideal of one legitimate gun and one law. As expected, Hamas and the other terrorist organizations opposed the guidelines of Salam Fayyad s government. Most of their criticism focused on the fact that the principle of resistance (i.e., violence and terrorism) was lacking as a central component of Palestinian strategy. Following their reaction, Salam Fayyad held a press conference with Amre Moussa, the secretary general of the Arab League, at which he stated that the resistance was a legitimate right of the Palestinian people because they were living under an occupation. However, in an interview with Egyptian television, Salam Fayyad stated that political activity was the way to advance the goal of the end of the occupation and noted that that goal could not be reached under the shadow of resistance and anarchy (Egyptian Satellite TV, July 31). 16

17 17 Jerusalem is a red line which cannot be crossed Red lines The return of the refugees Jerusalem Historical Palestine The armed resistance Palestinian red lines as viewed by Hamas (Felesteen, July 30). Abu Mazen announces hiis iinttenttiion tto holld earlly Pallesttiiniian Legiisllattiive Counciill ellecttiions In a speech delivered before Fatah s Revolutionary Council in Ramallah, Abu Mazen repeated his accusations against Hamas and said that he would not renew the dialogue with them until the status quo ante had been restored to the Gaza Strip. He announced his intention to issue an presidential edict instructing that early election be held for the Palestinian Legislative Council and the presidency (Wafa News Agency, July 25). He did not state a specific date for the elections but noted that they would be held in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip at the same time (Reuters, July 27). In the meantime, the struggle between Fatah and Hamas over the status of the Palestinian Legislative Council continues. The session which was supposed to convene on July 22 was cancelled (for the second time) after the Fatah representatives and their supporters boycotted the meeting, claiming it was illegal. Fatah and Hamas traded accusations after the attempt to convene the Legislative Council failed. At the same time, contacts were reported between Fatah and Hamas in an attempt to reach an agreement regarding the date of the new Legislative Council s session (Ramatan News Agency, July 22). 17

18 18 Legislative Council Fatah Hamas A cartoon by Omaya Joha about the divided Palestinian Legislative Council (Al-Hayat al-jadeeda, July 29). The Terroriistt Summiitt iin Damascus During his visit to Syria, Iranian president Ahmadinejad met with the heads of the Palestinian terrorist organizations. On July 19 he met with Khaled Mashaal, head of Hamas political bureau in Damascus, PIJ leader Ramadan Shalah and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on July 19. In his meeting with Ramadan Shalah he said that it was Iran s duty to support the resistance (i.e., the terrorist organizations) in Palestine, and stressed the necessity for unity among the organizations (i.e., Hamas and Fatah) to achieve victory (Irna, July 19). 18