News of the Terrorism and Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
November 18-25, 2008
Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC)
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Cartoon supporting Mahmoud Abbas in view of his |
| Overview |
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| Important Events |
The Gaza Strip
Sporadic Rocket and Mortar Shell Fire into Israel Continues
This past week witnessed the continuation of the daily sporadic rocket and mortar shell fire into Israel . A total of 14 rockets fell in Israeli territory and 10 mortar shells were fired at Israel population centers and IDF forces operating near the border security fence. The Popular Resistance Committees, the Popular and Democratic Fronts for the Liberation of Palestine, and Fatah claimed responsibility for the attacks. Hamas did not participate in the attacks but it also did not exert force to put an end to the shelling, even though it continually reiterates its readiness to maintain the lull arrangement. Note : a rocket landed south of Ashqelon on the same day Israel opened the crossings (November 24). Following the attack the crossings were reclosed.
Attack Was Prevented (Updated to November 25)
| Counterterrorist Activities |
Judea and Samaria
Stabbing Attack Prevented
On November 20 a Palestinian terrorist came to the Beit Eiba checkpoint northwest of Nablus wielding a knife. An IDF force overcame him. Also found in his possession were an IED and a number of M-16 shells. The IED was detonated in a controlled explosion and the terrorist was transferred to the security forces for interrogation (IDF Spokesman's website, November 20). On November 18 a pipe charge was found in the possession of a Palestinian during a routine examination at the same checkpoint (IDF Spokesman's website, November 18).
| The Lull Arrangement - Update |
Opening the Gaza Strip Crossings and Closing Them
Following a Renewal of Attacks
This past week the Gaza Strip crossings remained closed following the continued daily rocket and mortar shell attacks. On November 24 Israel opened the Kerem Shalom and Nitzanei Oz crossings, and the conveyor belt at the Karni crossing for the delivery of humanitarian aid and merchandise. A total of 30 trucks passed through, most of them UNRWA vehicles, some of them donations from Egypt and a number of trucks to the private sector. The main commodities were meat, dairy and cereal products. Israel also delivered 400,000 liters (almost 106,000 gallons) of industrial fuel to operate the Gaza Strip power plant. However, Kanaan Abir, deputy chairman of the energy authority in the Gaza Strip, said that the amount of diesel fuel delivered by Israel was enough for no more than 30 hours of power plant activity, but that his main problem was the technical difficulties in operating the plant's turbines (Radio Sawt al-Aqsa, November 24).
According to the Arab media (Al-Hayat, November 23), Israel , Hamas and the other terrorist organizations reached an understanding through Egyptian mediation enabling the crossings to be opened on November 24. The gist of the proposal was the rocket and mortar shell fire would cease for 24 hours, following which the crossings would be opened . However, on the evening of November 24 a rocket was fired into Israeli territory and the crossings were then reclosed, remaining closed on November 25 as well.
Alongside the daily rocket attacks, Hamas has kept up a propaganda campaign intended to exaggerate the distress of the Gaza Strip residents and represent their situation as a humanitarian catastrophe. For the past few days Hamas's TV channel has broadcast a program called "A cry in the dark" in which daily life in the Gaza Strip without electricity is presented. Other reports related that many bakeries in the Gaza Strip had closed for lack of raw materials and the fear of tainted water caused by the lack of proper equipment. In addition, sources in Gaza 's health system warned that the many power outages in the hospitals could lead to a crisis. The Popular Committee against the Siege held a march to the Erez Crossing, attended by some of the activists who arrived on the protest boat "Dignity" (Al-Jazeera TV, November 18).
The protest march to the Erez Crossing (Al-Jazeera TV, November 18).
Statements from Senior Hamas Figures Regarding the Lull Arrangement
Spokesmen for Hamas and the other terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip continued informing the media that they were ready to maintain the lull arrangement until what they considered its original final date. After meeting with representatives of the terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip on November 23, Hamas administration prime minister Ismail Haniya said Hamas and the other organizations were committed to the lull on the condition that Israel fulfilled its commitments in two areas: lifting the "siege" and keeping the IDF out of the Gaza Strip until December 19, 2008 (Filastin al-An website, November 19). Senior Hamas figure Ayman Taha said that the organizations in the Gaza Strip had expressed their commitment to the lull but not to extending it (Ma'an News Agency, November 23). Senior Hamas figure Musa Abu Marzuq told a reporter that Hamas would not renew the lull arrangement with Israel "because it has been a bad experience" (Al-Hayat, November 23).
Ismail Haniya, prime minister of the Hamas administration, meeting with
representatives of the Palestinian terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip
(Al-Aqsa TV, November 23)
Egyptian Security Forces Continue Operations in the Rafah Region
On November 18 and 19 Egypt opened the Rafah crossing to allow several dozen patients who had been delayed in Egypt to enter the Gaza Strip (Wafa News Agency, November 18). At the same time, Egypt took steps to prevent smuggling along the Egypt-Gaza Strip border. The Egyptians reported blowing up two tunnels on November 18, and Egyptian security forces seized 140,000 liters (almost 37,000 gallons ) of diesel fuel which were to be smuggled into the Gaza Strip. The activity was carried out after it had been discovered that gas stations throughout the Sinai peninsula were lacking fuel (Al-Basha'ir, November 20). However, despite the steps taken by the Egyptians, there has been no real change in the smuggling practices through the vast tunnel network between Egypt and the Gaza Strip.
A "fuel tunnel:" the conduit for fuels from Egypt to the Gaza Strip
(Al-Quds TV, November 21).
Hamas Fears an Israeli Attack on the Gaza Strip
Hamas's PALDF Forum reported that Hamas's Palestinian police had abandoned their posts and headquarters in fear of an Israeli attack. In addition, Hamas's security forces were put on alert (Hamas's PALDF Forum, November 18). Abu Obeida , spokesman for Hamas's military-terrorist wing the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, said that Israel 's threats were the result of its fears of "the messages sent by the Palestinian resistance [i.e., terrorist organizations] via its rockets..." He said that Hamas was not eager to continue the lull and threatened it was ready to "overturn the lull onto the heads of the Zionists" (Al-Qassam website, November 18).
The Terrorist Organizations in the Gaza Strip Continue Military Training
The Palestinian terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip continue exploiting the lull arrangement for intensive military training. On November 18 the first part of an officers training course for Hamas's internal security services ended (Palestine-info website, November 18). On November 21 a course for PRC operatives ended. Representatives of the various terrorist organizations attended the graduation ceremony. Operatives carried out a number of exercises, demonstrating using RPGs and IEDs to break into an Israel village, abducting soldiers and hunting Palestinians suspected of collaborating with Israel (Muqawamah website, November 21).
| The Annapolis Process |
Israel is Expected to Release 250 Palestinian Prisoners
On November 17 Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with Palestinian Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in Jerusalem . The prime minister said that Israel expected to release 250 Palestinian prisoners before the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, which falls at the beginning of December this year. At the meeting it was made clear that the prisoners would belong to the moderate Palestinian camp and not the Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (Ynet, November 17).
Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas in Jerusalem on November 17
(Moshe Milner, Israeli Government Press Office, November 17)
Hamas responded to the Israel gesture with scorn, saying that it was intended to "obscure the crimes of the occupation." Osama al-Muzeini, responsible for the Gilad Shalit file in Hamas, said that he welcomed every prisoner who was released, but added that "it is unfortunate that the Palestinian president [Mahmoud Abbas] agreed to the release of a small group and that the rest of our people remain in jail" (Al-Aqsa TV, November 18).
| The Internal Palestinian Arena |
Towards the End of Mahmoud Abbas' Term of Office, January 2009
Mahmoud Abbas was elected " president of the Palestinian state " by the PLO's central council at a meeting in Ramallah, based on a proposal submitted by 75 of its members (Ma'an News Agency, November 24). Because of internal disagreements within Fatah, the position, which Arafat filled since the declaration of Palestinian independence in 1988, has not been manned since he died in 2004. The position is symbolic and not a replacement for any of Mahmoud Abbas' current roles (Palestinian Authority chairman, PLO chairman and Fatah chairman). The appointment is intended to reinforce internal legitimacy for continuing his rule before his term of office ends in January 2009.
In the meantime, in a speech to the PLO's central council, Mahmoud Abbas also announced his intention to hold elections to the presidency and the Palestinian Legislative Council in early 2009 if the dialogue with Hamas failed (Wafa News Agency, November 23). Reactions from Khaled Mashal and other senior Hamas figures were harsh, claiming that Mahmoud Abbas was breaking Palestinian law, and rejecting his right to declare elections to the Palestinian Legislative Council. In addition, following his election as "president of the Palestinian state," Hamas spokesmen said that the decisions made by the PLO's central council were illegal. Mahmoud al-Zahar, for example, said that "the president of a country is elected by the people, not by an illegitimate institution like the central council" (Al-Jazeera TV, November 24).
Religion and Politics: the Struggle between the PA
and Hamas over Pilgrims Going to Saudi Arabia
Recently, leaving the Gaza Strip for a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia turned into another bone of contention in the political-propaganda confrontation between the PA and Hamas. The PA is interested in issuing exit visas from the Gaza Strip, Judea and Samaria to Palestinians affiliated with it, based on the quota given to the PA by the Saudis. Hamas, on the other hand, is interested in determining who the Gazan pilgrims will be, and thus to increase its stature and influence in the Gaza Strip.
The sides blamed each other for raising obstacles before the pilgrims. Talib Abu Sha'ar , minister of endowments for the Hamas administration, said that Hamas was making a great effort to convince Saudi Arabia and Egypt to let the Palestinians make their pilgrimage (Filastin al-Yawm, November 23). He blamed the Salam Fayyad government for preventing the pilgrimage this year and of "politicizing the list of Palestinians authorized to go to Mecca " (Pal-today website, November 18). Hamas has also held a series of demonstrations at the Rafah crossing, during which it called upon Egypt and the other Arab countries to open the crossing immediately to enable the pilgrims to leave the Gaza Strip. According to Bouhan al-Saadi , responsible for the PA pilgrim delegation, most of the pilgrims from Judea and Samaria have already left for Saudi Arabia (Syrian News Agency, November 24).
Hamas demonstration calling for the Rafah crossing to be opened
to pilgrims (Al-Aqsa TV, November 19)
| The Arab and International Arena |
Legal Victory in the Struggle against an American Foundation
which Transferred Funds to Hamas
On November 24, 2008, a Dallas jury convicted five directors of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development on all charges of the indictment of supporting terrorism. The trial of the Foundation, which supported the Hamas da'wah in the PA-administered territories, lasted more than 15 years. The Foundation was convicted of illegally transferring more than $12 million to Hamas (Dallas News, November 24).
The conviction is a legal victory , not only for the United States , but for the entire international community in the struggle against funding terrorist organizations through Islamic funds and organizations operating around the globe. It sets an important precedent in the political and legal struggles against similar funds and foundations, such as Britain 's Interpal and the dozens of other funds and organizations which belong to the Union of Good. 1
Article in the Egyptian Paper Al-Gumhuriya Calling on Hamas to Return to the National Dialogue and to Extend the Lull Arrangement
Muhammad Ali Ibrahim , the editor in chief of the Egyptian daily Al-Gumhuriya , recently published an article about Egypt 's position on the lull arrangement. Its main points were the following (Al-Gumhuriya, November 22):
- Egypt has a "moral commitment" to the Palestinian cause and to dealing with the Arab-Israeli conflict, and does not lean toward either Fatah or Hamas. " Egypt 's decisions are made according to what is in the best interest of the Palestinian people."
- Therefore, Egyptian tries to promote the internal Palestinian dialogue , despite the fact that it is aware that the chances of its success are low. For that reason, "the gates will remain open to Hamas [and other organizations] to renew the dialogue..." Egypt is also aware of the enormous pressures exerted on Hamas not to participate in the national dialogue and "we know who is exerting the pressure and which cards they are playing..." (a possible hint at Iran ).
- As to the lull arrangement with Israel , Egypt 's objective is "creating a new atmosphere in the Gaza Strip which will enable the residents to acquire electricity, gas, kerosene and drinking water..." In addition, the lull also serves the peace process and gives Mahmoud Abbas the elbow room he needs to negotiate. "It will be impossible to achieve a sustainable peace between the PA and Israel as long as the Gaza Strip continues to serve as [a place] to export disagreements to." Another Egyptian objective in implementing the lull arrangement is to effect the release of a large number of Palestinians in return for the release of Gilad Shalit . According to the article, that goal serves the Palestinians and Israel and "builds a bridge of understanding and perhaps trust between Tel Aviv, and Gaza and Ramallah..."
- The article also says that when the lull arrangement ends on December 23 [sic], Hamas will find itself facing two scenarios : the first is the renewal of the "resistance" [i.e., terrorism and violence] in a way that will lead Israel to invade the Gaza Strip, close the crossings, bring hunger and a siege [in that scenario, says the article, Hamas will try to break through the Rafah crossing and enter Sinai, "which no one will allow, and in dealing with it [Egypt] will be determined "]. The second scenario involves returning to the negotiating table for the national dialogue [with the implication that the national dialogue depends on extending the lull]. There is also, according to the article, a third scenario , of secret negotiations between Hamas and Israel , which may damage Hamas's image.
- The article ends by saying that Hamas is aware that Egypt and its security team headed by Omar Suleiman are the only factors capable of managing the internal Palestinian dialogue and the contacts with Israel . Hamas's leaders know that only Egypt can put an end to its isolation and lift the siege. " Hamas will need to renew the lull with Israel when it ends, and only Egypt is capable of implementing that goal. [Hamas] will also need a permanent channel which it will be able to trust to keep contacts with Israel open to deal with daily life, and only Egypt can do it."
| The Northern Arena |
Syria
"Right of Return" Conference Held in Damascus with the
Participation of the Terrorist Organizations
On November 23 an international conference was held in Damascus dealing with the Palestinians' so-called "right of return." There were representatives from Syria , Lebanon , Jordan , Sudan and Yemen . The terrorist organizations were represented by Hezbollah, Hamas, the PIJ and other Palestinian terrorist groups. The conference was widely covered by the Syrian and Hamas media, and by Al-Jazeera TV as well. Particularly conspicuous was the vicious anti-Israeli propaganda and incitement broadcast by Syrian television during the conference.
"Right of Return" conference in Damascus
(Al-Aqsa TV, November 23)
Khaled Mashal, head of Hamas's political bureau in Damascus spoke at the conference elaborating the Hamas concept of the "right of return." He said that the meaning of the term "right of return" was the return of the Palestinians to the cities and villages from which they had been expelled in the Palestinian homeland The "right," he said, should be implemented on the ground and that alternative proposals, such as reparations or settling Palestinians in the Arab countries should be opposed (Al-Jazeera TV, November 23). The meaning of Hamas's concept of implementing the so-called "right of return" is the destruction of the State of Israel .
Khaled Mashal speaking at the "Right of return" conference
in Damascus (Al-Aqsa TV, November 23)
Mohammad Sayyid Bakhtian, assistant regional secretary of the Syrian Baath party, gave a speech at the opening session (attended by other high-ranking Baath figures). He said that the "right of return" could "not be changed or bargained." He also said that Israel 's stubbornness to violate the "right of return" proved that Israel did not want peace, adding that Zionism was still "a colonial, settlement-founding, racist movement which ignored the rights of people and their desires..." He stressed the Syrian objection to the plan of settling the Palestinian refugees in the Arab countries " because that would violate the right of return..." He added that the way to restore "the stolen rights - the right of return and others" was "the path of the resistance" [i.e., terrorism] (Champress website, Syria , November 23).
