רמה כ ז מל ו תשר מה ו ד י ע י ן ( למ מ" ) כרמ ז מה י ד עד ע מל ו ד י ע י ן ו ל רט ו ר

News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (June 30 – July 6, 2021)

Overview

Judea and Samaria: This past week there was a stabbing attack in the Jordan Valley. A Palestinian attacked an Israeli soldier and stole her weapon. He was apprehended a short time later. A Palestinian who threw an IED at the Israeli security forces during a riot near Nablus was shot killed. Demonstrations were held in Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem: continue holding demonstrations to protest the killing of political activist Nizar Banat. Several demonstrators were detained by the Palestinian security forces. Demonstrations were held by in support of the Palestinian Authority (PA). Despite the arrangement for a compromise reached with the residents of the Eviatar outpost and the evacuation of the site, demonstrations were held because the PA and Hamas rejected the internal compromise. Palestinians demonstrated against Israel's razing of buildings constructed without authorization in Silwan in east Jerusalem. The Gaza Strip: This past week incendiary balloons were launched into Israeli territory near the Gaza Strip border, setting several fires. In response the IDF attacked terrorist targets. Rebuilding the Gaza Strip continues with efforts to find a mechanism for delivering money. In Lebanon a Hamas delegation headed by Isma'il Haniyeh met with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Saleh al-'Arouri, deputy head of Hamas' political bureau, who lives in Lebanon, was appointed to another term as responsible for Hamas activity in Judea and Samaria. Unrest in the PA: On June 29, 2021, the report of the committee appointed to investigate the death of Nizar Banat was given to the Palestinian leadership. Many social media users, Nizar Banat's family and the Palestinian human rights authority demanded to see the report, stating they did not believe its conclusions and were conducting an independent investigation (Wafa, June 29, 2021).

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Judea and Samaria

Stabbing attack in the Jordan Valley

On July 1, 2021, a female Israeli soldier waiting for a bus near an IDF base in the Jordan Valley was attacked by a Palestinian who also stole her weapon. She fought with him and he stabbed her in the back. He fled with her weapon, was searched for by IDF forces and captured while still in possession of the gun. She was treated at the site and evacuated to a hospital (IDF spokesman, July 1, 2021). The terrorist fled in the direction of Jericho. He was trapped a short time later by the Israeli security forces. The Palestinian media reported he was Ahmed Daraghma, 26, from the village of Tubas (Ma'an, July 1, 2021). On the night of July 2, 2021, the Israeli security forces went to his house in Tubas. A riot broke out and Palestinians threw Molotov cocktails and rocks at the forces, and shot at them. They returned fire. Three vehicles, including a patrol car, were damaged (Israel Police Force spokesman's unit, July 2, 2021).

Ahmed Daraghma, who carried out the stabbing attack in the Jordan Valley (Tubas Facebook page, July 1, 2021). Palestinian killed in riot against Israeli security forces

During a Palestinian riot against settlers from the Esh Kodesh outpost an IDF force shot and killed a Palestinian in the village of Qusra who threw an IED from the roof of one of the buildings; the IED exploded. Several Palestinians were injured in the riot (Rescue Without Borders in Judea and Samaria, July 3, 2021). The Palestinian media reported that the Palestinian who had been killed was Muhammad Farid Ali Hassan, 21, from Qusra, southeast of Nablus. The media claimed he was shot when he was on the roof of his house (Ma'an, July 3, 2021). The PA foreign ministry claimed the Israeli government was responsible for his death, and called for an international commission to investigate his death and report those responsible to the ICC (Wafa, July 4, 2021). PA Prime Minister

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Muhammad Shtayyeh condemned the killing and offered his condolences to the family (Muhammad Shtayyeh's Facebook page, July 5, 2021). Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem called his death a "crime" which reflected the IDF's "terrorism" (Hamas website, July 4, 2021).

Muhammad Hassan (Palinfo Twitter account, July 4, 2021). Rocks, Molotov cocktails and other events

In Judea and Samaria Palestinians continued throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at Israeli civilians vehicles driving on the roads. The more prominent events were the following:1 July 6, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus southwest of Nablus. No casualties were reported. The bus was damaged. July 5, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle northeast of Jerusalem. No casualties were reported. The vehicle was damaged. July 5, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus, apparently from a passing car, northeast of Jerusalem. A passenger was injured; the bus was damaged. July 5, 2021: Rocks and a Molotov cocktail were thrown at an Israel vehicle south of Nablus. No casualties were reported. July 4, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle on the slopes of the Mount of Olives in east Jerusalem. A passenger was injured and evacuated to a hospital for treatment. July 4, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle in Ras al-Amoud in east Jerusalem. A passenger was injured (Magen David Adom spokesman's unit, July 4, 2021).

1 All information and reports are from Rescue Without Borders in Judea and Samaria unless otherwise noted.

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July 4, 2021: During an operational and intelligence Israeli security force activity a Palestinian from Hebron was detained for questioning on suspicion of possessing illegal weapons. A search was conducted in the yard of a house in Bayt Umar and an improvised [Carlo] machine gun and ammunition magazines were confiscated (Israel Police Force spokesman's unit, July 4, 2021)

The confiscated weapons (Israel Police Force spokesman's unit, July 4, 2021). July 4, 2021: Rocks were thrown and fires were lit by Palestinians at an Israeli community south of Nablus. Some of the residents were evacuated because of the fire. July 1, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle in the al-Tor neighborhood of east Jerusalem. The driver was wounded. July 1, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle north of Hebron. No casualties were reported. The vehicle was damaged. July 1, 2021: During an Israeli security force operational activity in Jenin three Palestinians were detained on suspicion of terrorist activity. Rocks were thrown and shots were fired at the forces as they left the area. The soldiers returned fire. No casualties were reported (Israel Police Force spokesman's unit, July 1, 2021). June 30, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle northeast of . No casualties were reported. The windshield of the vehicle was damaged. June 29, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle southeast of Bethlehem. No casualties were reported. The vehicle was damaged. June 29, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle from a passing car south of Nablus. No casualties were reported. The vehicle was damaged. June 29, 2021: Rocks and Molotov cocktails were thrown at an Israeli vehicle south of Nablus. No casualties were reported. The vehicle was damaged.

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Significant Terrorist Attacks in Judea and Samaria since January

20202

20 18 16 14 14 12 10 7 8 6 6 6 6 4 4 3 3 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 0 0 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 ------Jul Jul Jan Jan Jun Jun Oct Feb Apr Sep Feb Apr Dec Aug Nov Mar Mar May May

Demonstrations

This past week mass demonstrations were held in Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem. Some were directed against the PA and some against Israeli policies. Demonstrations following the killing of Nizar Banat

The affair of Nizar Banat, a Palestinian political activist who was killed after having been detained by the PA security forces in Hebron, has not been eliminated from the Palestinian public agenda and public unrest continues. Demonstrations were held all during the past week throughout Judea and Samaria. On Friday, July 2, 2021, the Palestinian media called on the Palestinian public to join in what they called "a Friday of justice for Nizar Banat," after the Friday prayers. According to reports, protests were voiced in Ramallah, Hebron and east Jerusalem. According to Hamas' al-Risalah, "thousands" of Palestinians participated in the protest demonstrations, which continued throughout the week. The PA security forces detained a number of demonstrators (al-Risalah, July 5, 2021). In the meantime, Fatah organized demonstrations in support of and the PA government.

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

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Demonstrations in support of Mahmoud Abbas, organized by Fatah in Hebron (right) and Bethlehem (left) (Wafa, July 3, 2021). Despite the compromise, demonstrations continued near the Eviatar outpost

The Israeli government reached a compromise with the settlers in the Eviatar outpost, according to which they would leave the outpost of their own free will without razing the buildings and the legal status of the property would be reexamined. IDF forces would remain at the site and a yeshiva would be established. The Palestinian foreign ministry formally rejected the compromise, expressing strong opposition and opposing all legal measures. It called Israel's actions a de facto formal legitimization of the outpost's status and a way to turn it into a settlement at the expense of Jabal Sabih and the neighboring land. The foreign ministry said the UN Security Council and especially the United States bore responsibility for preventing unilateral Israeli action (PA foreign ministry Facebook page, July 1, 2021). Musa Hameil, deputy local Bayta council head, said Jabal Sabih was Palestinian property and Israel had no right to it. He said they opposed all Israeli presence at the site, civilian or military. He added that the compromise was an internal Israeli agreement reached without coordinating with the Palestinians. The Israeli government, he said, had no right to enforce a new situation in Jabal Sabih, and they would continue resisting and escalate their resistance in the coming days (QudsN Facebook page, July 2, 2021). On the grounds that they opposed an Israeli presence in Jabal Sabih, including a military presence, Fatah called on the public to continue demonstrating and to escalate their protests. Mahmoud al-'Alul, deputy Fatah chairman, who participated in one of the activities, said the "popular resistance" [i.e., popular terrorism] in the village of Bayta would continue until all the civilian residents and the IDF left. He said the Palestinians had

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Palestinians riot against Israeli security forces in Jabal Sabih (Wafa, July 2, 2021). Hamas also noted the "achievement." Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem claimed the withdrawal of the settlers "proved" the "resistance" was the only way to make Israel withdraw from the outposts. He said the next activity would be to set fire to all the other settlements and that the night harassment units would carry out their activities at other locations as well (al-Aqsa, July 2, 2021). That being the situation, this past week Palestinians continued demonstrating at Jabal Sabih, including calling on the night harassment units to act. A program about a night harassment unit in Bayta was broadcast on al-Mayadeen TV. It showed the activities of the unit beginning during the afternoon prayer with the participation of the entire village and continuing until the smoke from their burning tires surrounded all of Jabal Sabih until it reached the settlers. At night they turned on laser beams to keep IDF forces from shooting at them. A group of torch-bearers also arrived at Jabal Sabih and declared the beginning of the night harassment unit activities. One of the operatives said were in contact with the Gaza Strip through Facebook (al-Mayadeen, July 1, 2021).

Right: Burning tires (Facebook page of Bayta Online, July 5,2021). Left: Fatah leader Mahmoud al-'Alul participates in night harassment activities in Jabal Sabih (Wafa, June 29, 2021).

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On July 5, 2021, Mahmoud Abbas met with prominent operatives from Bayta in his office in Ramallah and told them the village was now a symbol of "popular resistance" in "Palestine". He praised the residents of Bayta and said the Palestinians would continue their firm stance despite the challenges, until the final eviction of the [so-called Israeli] "occupation" and settlements (Mahmoud Abbas' Facebook page, July 5, 2021).

Mahmoud Abbas meets with activists from the village of Bayta (Mahmoud Abbas' Facebook page, July 5, 2021). Demonstrations in Silwan, east Jerusalem

Demonstrations were also held this past week in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan, caused by the destruction of the first structure in a series of buildings Israel is planning to demolish in the neighborhood built without authorization. Palestinians also rioted against Israeli security forces. The events in Silwan were extensively covered in the Palestinian media. The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned the destruction of the houses in Silwan, claiming it was "the direct continuation of the Israeli government's ethnic cleansing of the residents of Jerusalem" (Dunia al-Watan, June 30, 2021). Hussein al-Sheikh, minister of civilian affairs, called on the international community to intervene immediately to put an end to the [alleged] "slaughter" of the residents of east Jerusalem, their houses and property. He claimed it was "a new crossing of the red lines" by Israel, which was "playing with fire" (Dunia al-Watan, June 29, 2021). Muhammad Hamada, Hamas spokesman in Jerusalem, said Israel's activities in Silwan were another crossing of the red line. He said the "resistance" was on alert and ready for whatever Israel might do in Jerusalem. He said they would not allow Israel to continue its policies in Jerusalem (Hamas website, June 29, 2021). On another occasion he said that all possibilities for a "resistance" response were on the table (Palinfo, June 29, 2021). Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum called on all the [terrorist] organizations and the Palestinian

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public in Jerusalem, the and inside Israel to continue opposing the "Zionist enemy" in every way, including the popular "struggle" (al-Risalah Twitter account, June 29, 2021). The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) called the alleged "Israeli aggression" against the Palestinian people in Silwan "organized crime and racism" whose objective was to take control of the Palestinians' country [sic] by forcing them out (Filastin al-Yawm, June 29, 2021). Israel's South

Rocket and mortar shell fire into Israel

Since the ceasefire went into effect on May 22, 2021, no rocket hits have been identified in Israeli territory. Monthly Distribution of Rocket and Mortar Shell Fire since January 2020

3,319 400 350 300 261 250 200

150 122 100 25 43 50 15 1 0 1 3 3 15 4 4 2 3 0 1 0 0 0

-20 -20 -20 -20 -20 -20 -20 -20 -20 -20 -20 -20 -21 -21 -21 -21 -21 -21 -21 Jul Jul Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

"Guardian of the Walls"

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Annual Distribution of Rocket Hits

4000 3,852

3500 3319

3000

2500

2000 1,403 1500 1,159 1,119 974 925 1000 783 787 845 375 373 308 500 158 196 103 39 24 15 29 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Operation "Cast Lead" Operation "Eitan Cliff" Operation "Cloud Pillar" "Guardian of the Walls" Arson terrorism

This past week the Palestinian terrorist organizations resumed the launching of incendiary balloons from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory, causing a number of fires. According to the Jewish National Fund between about 7.5 and 10 acres of forests were destroyed, and it will take years for them to renew themselves (Ynet, July 4, 2021). The IDF responded by attacking Hamas targets. On July 1, 2021, several incendiary balloons were launched and caused four fires in the western Negev. According to a fire inspector from Israel's Fire and Rescue Services, they had been caused by incendiary balloons (Fire and Rescue Services spokesman's unit, southern district, July 1, 2021). In response, on the night of July 1, 2021, IDF aircraft attacked a Hamas research and development facility for the manufacture of weapons (IDF spokesman, July 2, 2021). The Palestinian media reported that "resistance targets" had been attacked in the southern Gaza Strip, one in the central Gaza Strip and one in the southern part of (Shehab Twitter account, July 2, 2021). Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said the attack would not change the determination of the Palestinian people and the Palestinian "resistance" to continue their "struggle" to realize their rights and end the "aggression" (alresala.net, July 2, 2021).

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Fires in Israeli territory near the Gaza Strip ignited by incendiary balloons (Facebook page of the Descendants of al-Nasser unit, July 1 and 2, 2021).

On the afternoon of July 3, 2021, another incendiary balloon was launched from the Gaza Strip and caused a fire in a field of dry weeds in the western Negev. In response Israeli Air Force aircraft attacked a Hamas facility for the manufacture of weapons and a Hamas rocket launching position (IDF spokesman, July 3, 2021). The Palestinians reported an attack on "resistance" positions in the Gaza Strip, during which they fired anti-aircraft missiles at the Israeli planes (Shehab, July 3, 2021). One Palestinian was reported seriously injured in the attack, but the ministry of health in Gaza reported that no wounded Palestinians had been hospitalized (Shehab, July 3, 2021). Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said the Israeli attack was an unsuccessful attempt to end the Palestinian people's adherence to their land and rights, and a weak attempt to rehabilitate Israel's image after Operation Guardian of the Walls (al-Quds, July 4, 2021).

Hamas facility for the manufacture of weapons, attacked by the IDF (IDF spokesman, July 3, 2021).

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Right: IDF attack following the launching of an incendiary balloon (QudsN Facebook page, July 3, 2021). Left: The media in Gaza monitors and documents IDF engineering activities in the Gaza Strip east of (Twitter account of journalist Hassan Aslih, July 4, 2021). The Hamas-affiliated Sons of al-Zawari balloon-launching unit said that if Israel returned to its previous modus operandi they would do the same, and their patience would not last much longer (Sons of al-Zawari Telegram channel, July 2, 2021). The Popular Resistance Committees-affiliated Descendants of al-Nasser balloon-launching unit made a similar statement (Descendants of al-Nasser Telegram channel, July 3, 2021). Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Israel would not allow any attack on its sovereignty, not by balloons or rockets or any other attack, and would respond according to its needs and at the proper time. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said in response that the only objective of such threats was to repair the IDF's image, which had been significantly damaged during Operation Guardian of the Walls, and they did not frighten the "resistance" (Sawa, July 5, 2021). Developments in the Gaza Strip

Rebuilding the Gaza Strip

Attempts continue to promote the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip and find a mechanism to deliver funds. Naji Sirhan, deputy housing and public works minister in Gaza, said rebuilding would be divided into three stages: the first was support and rapid recovery, which began when the operation began and was currently continuing. The second stage was clearing the rubble and the third would be rebuilding the Gaza Strip. He said Qatar had donated $2,000 to families which had lost their houses and $1,000 to families whose houses had been destroyed. The first installment would be given to 500 families. He said only about one third of the rubble had been cleared, and that they had received only a very small amount of foreign aid. He said if Israel wanted to impose conditions on the delivery of

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building materials, they could get them from Egypt and not have to buy them from Israel (al-Araby al-Jadeed, June 30, 2021). Usama Kahil, chairman of the contractors' union in the Gaza Strip, said Israel prevented the delivery of iron to the Gaza Strip for reconstruction and did not allow Egypt to deliver it. He demanded the senior figures exert pressure on Egypt to deliver the materials necessary for rebuilding. He claimed the PA leadership was responsible because it did not demand the international community deliver through Egypt everything the Gaza Strip needed (Filastin al-Yawm, July 4, 2021). Financial aid from Qatar

According to Palestinian sources, the UN agreed to a proposal from several intermediaries to take responsibility for the Qatar aid for needy families. They said Tor Wennesland, special UN envoy to the peace process, was in contact with all the sides, including Israel, and had updated them on the UN's agreement to take responsibility. The sources also reported that the money from Qatar would be distributed through banks in Ramallah. Israel would not prevent the UN's delivery of the funds to the Gaza Strip if it could supervise the process to ensure that part of the money did reach Hamas (al-Quds, July 4, 2021). Hamas sources were quoted as saying they had no objection, claiming Hamas had never intervened and never taken any of the money [from Qatar]. All Hamas was interested in, claimed the sources, was that the money from Qatar reach the needy families (RT in , July 4, 2021).

Ongoing contacts for an arrangement between Israel and Hamas

According to the Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese newspaper al-Akhbar, several Palestinian [terrorist] organizations warned the Egyptian mediator that the renewal of the hostilities was closer than ever. They said Egypt had asked them to wait until the end of the week for the response of the Israeli delegation coming to to discuss the Gaza Strip and the exchange of prisoners. The Egyptians also told Hamas that talks had been held with the Israeli leadership and there were indications of the possibility of making progress in the negotiations. Khalil al-Haya, deputy chairman of the Hamas political bureau, said indirect negotiations with Israel had not ended despite Israel's attempts to invalidate the Palestinian "victory" [in Operation Guardian of the Walls]. He claimed that once a ceasefire had been achieved and negotiators had begun their activities there was no doubt that the

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success of the ceasefire centered on two issues, Israel's actions at al-Aqsa mosque and its actions in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and suburbs of Jerusalem. He said Hamas had told the negotiators that those two issues were potentially explosive, threatening that continued Israeli "aggression" in east Jerusalem could lead to a return of military tension between the sides. He claimed, however, that Hamas did not want war (al-Mayadeen, June 30, 2021). Hamas delegation visits Lebanon

The Hamas delegation led by Isma'il Haniyeh, head of Hamas' political bureau, and including Saleh al-'Arouri and Khalil al-Haya, continued meeting with high-ranking Lebanese figures. On June 29, 2021, the delegation met with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. They discussed ways to exploit the "victory" of the most recent round of hostilities with Israel and enlist resources and capabilities to reach a final, decisive victory (al-Akhbar, June 29, 2021). They also emphasized the strong connection between Hamas and Hezbollah. Isma'il Haniyeh and Hassan Nasrallah discussed plans to coordinate Hezbollah-Hamas cooperation to make operational Nasrallah's declaration that any attack on Jerusalem would mean a regional conflagration (al-Akhbar, July 2, 2021).

Right: Isma'il Haniyeh meets with Hassan Nasrallah (al-Mayadeen, June 29, 2021). Left: Also present was Haniyeh's deputy, Saleh al-'Arouri (RT YouTube channel in Arabic, June 29, 2021).

The members of the delegation also met with the Mufti of Lebanon (Dunia al-Watan, July 1, 2021). Haniyeh told him that the "Palestinian resistance" was in good condition and would continue making preparations for the coming campaign to "liberate [Palestine]." A meeting was also held with the Palestinian [terrorist] organizations in Lebanon to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation with them(Hamas website, July 1, 2021). Haniyeh also met with PIJ leader Ziyad al-Nakhalah (Hamas website, June 30, 2021).

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Isma'il Haniyeh meets in with PIJ leader Ziyad al-Nakhalah (Hamas website, June 30, 2021). From Lebanon Haniyeh and the delegation went to Istanbul, where they met with a delegation from the Geneva Council For International Affairs and Development (GCIAD). Haniyeh stressed the importance of pursuing senior Israeli officials in the courts and called for the Goldstone Report (issued after Operation Cast Lead) to be reactivated (Sawa, July 5, 2021). Khalil al-Haya said the current round of visits of senior Hamas figures had several objectives, among them to make the world reexamine the Palestinian cause, enlist political support for the Palestinian people, publicize the results of the most recent hostilities in the Gaza Strip and stop normalization with Israel. Regarding the meeting with Nasrallah, he said there were many reasons for the ties with Hezbollah. Hamas, he said, did not tell Hezbollah how to fight Israel, because Hezbollah could find its own way (al-Mayadeen, June 30, 2021). Hamas-Jordan relations

Reportedly, the Hamas leadership is waiting for a sign from the Jordanian authorities regarding the transition of nature of their relations from security to political. "Exclusive sources" involved in the contacts reported that Hamas requested the Jordanian government ask the king to meet personally with the Hamas delegation. If the king does agree, Haniyeh wants to meet with him and is waiting for a response from the Jordanian intermediaries. The Jordanians do not want an official visit or have Hamas talk to senior officials in the Jordanian government. They are offering Hamas security channels, nothing more (Ra'i al-Youm, June 29, 2021).

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Saleh al-'Arouri to serve another term as Hamas leader in Judea and Samaria

Hamas' internal election committee announced that Saleh al-'Arouri, deputy head of Hamas' political bureau, had been chosen to serve another term as responsible for the Hamas movement in Judea and Samaria, a position he will hold until 2025 (Filastin al- Yawm, July 4, 2021). Saleh Muhammad Suleiman al-'Arouri was born in 1966 in the village of Aroura in the Ramallah district. Today he resides in Lebanon. He was one of the founders of Hamas' military-terrorist wing in Judea and Samaria during the 1990s. He was detained by Israel in 1992 and sentenced to five years in prison for membership in a terrorist organization. Since then he has been incarcerated several times. He was released from an Israeli jail on March 30, 2010 as part of a deal signed with him after he had been a prisoner 18 years, and he was deported from Israel. Once out of jail he returned to terrorist activity. He went to Jordan, which refused to accept him, and from there to . In Syria he was appointed to Hamas' political bureau and was put in charge of the prisoners' portfolio, and was a party to the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal. Saleh al-'Arouri then moved to Turkey where for a time he enjoyed freedom of action and handled Hamas' terrorist networks in Judea and Samaria. While in Turkey he publicly admitted Hamas' responsibility for abducting and murdering the three Israeli youths in June 2014. In October 2017 he was appointed Haniyeh's deputy. In November 2018 the United States put him on its list of designated terrorists. The Palestinian Authority (PA)

Developments in the killing of Nizar Banat

The affair of the killing of Nizar Banat is still on the agenda of the Palestinian street. On June 29, 2021, the committee investigating the killing presented its report to PA Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh, who passed it on to Mahmoud Abbas. In the meantime, the report was also given to the military judiciary of the Palestinian security forces (Wafa, June 29, 2021). Many social media users, Nizar Banat's family and the human rights authority demanded to see the report, claiming they did not believe the results of the investigation and were independently conducting their own (Wafa, June 29, 2021).

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Meanwhile, Talal Dweikat, spokesman for the PA security forces, reported that 14 security force operatives had been turned over to the Palestinian judiciary on suspicion of involvement in Nizar Banat's death (Wafa, July 2, 2021). He said Nizar Banat's family had testified about the incident and provided details. He said they would continue investigating so that indictments could be handed down for those who had been involved. Their objective, he said, was that a trial be held according to international standards. Criticism of the PA continues despite the investigation. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said not only the Palestinian [terrorist] organizations but the entire Palestinian people, and even judicial institutions abroad had agreed that the PA had to be convicted of an unprecedented crime committed against a civilian who had done nothing more than express a political opinion. He called for an end to the PA's "criminal" conduct (al-Aqsa, June 30, 2021). Shawan Jabarin, representative of the Human Rights Council and director general of al-Haq, said Nizar Banat's family was entitled to appeal to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and lodge a complaint. He said the ICC received information and complaints about crimes under its jurisdiction, including torture and faulty procedure. He said initiating a local investigation and punishing the perpetrators would prevent the ICC from investigating (, June 30, 2021). Mahmoud Abbas visits Jordan

Mahmoud Abbas headed a PA government delegation to Jordan to meet with King Abdallah. The king held a formal reception for him and the two spoke in private (Amun News Agency, June 30, 2021). They then held a meeting which included Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki, civilian affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh, head of Palestinian general intelligence Majed Faraj, and Majdi al-Khaldi, advisor to Mahmoud Abbas. According to the announcement issued after the meeting, they had discussed the situation in east Jerusalem and criticized Israel, and consulted in preparation for King Abdallah's visit to Washington. The king said the status quo had to be preserved in east Jerusalem and Mahmoud Abbas noted the importance of the Hashemite sponsorship of the holy places in Jerusalem, and the role of Jerusalem in supporting Palestinian rights (Mahmoud Abbas' Facebook page, June 30, 2021).

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Muhammad Shtayyeh meets with King Abdallah of Jordan (Mahmoud Abbas' Facebook page, June 30, 2021). PA-United States relations

Jibril Rajoub, secretary of Fatah's Central Committee, said the American administration's position towards the PA had changed. The PA, he claimed, was currently holding talks with the United States and hoped they could develop a joint strategic perspective. He said the international community's position had also changed (Palestinian TV, July 4, 2021). However, according to the Saudi Arabian website Ilaf, during a visit to Jordan, the American ambassador to Amman summoned Mahmoud Abbas, Hussein al-Sheikh and Majed Faraj to a meeting where, speaking for American President Joe Biden, he chastised them for the killing of Nizar Banat. He said the United States would not remain silent about the killing of a Palestinian activist (Amun News Agency, July 4, 2021). The year of the Palestinian narrative

Speaking at a conference for the promotion of the Palestinian narrative, Muhammad Shtayyeh said the government had declared 2021 the year of the Palestinian narrative,3 adding that the Council of Arab Media Ministers would help advance it (Dunia al-Watan, June 29, 2021). Mahmoud Abbas claimed world public opinion was gradually changing towards accepting the Palestinian narrative, mainly in the United States and Europe. Most of the countries, he claimed, were witnessing mass popular activity in their own Palestinian communities. He said they had to continue enlisting Palestinians abroad to reach the decision makers in order to stress the strength of the Palestinian people, their right to their lands and to Palestinian independence in a country whose capital would be east Jerusalem.

3 At the end of 2020 Muhammad Shtayyeh declared that 2021 would be the year of inculcating the Palestinian narrative and defending it with the help of the Palestinian communities around the globe. They would spread the "legacy and narrative" in their home communities, emphasizing Jerusalem.

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He claimed that recent events, especially the riots in Jerusalem, proved the Palestinians were a strong people who were proud of their rights (Palestinian TV, June 29, 2021). Covid-19

The PA

Mahmoud Abbas issued an order extending the state of emergency in Judea and Samaria for an additional month to cope with the coronavirus (Wafa, July 3, 2021). On June 30, 2021, the PA signed an agreement with a delegation from the government of Japan for $8 million in assistance for the ministry of health in Ramallah to combat Covid-19. The assistance includes refrigerators, refrigerated trucks for the transportation of vaccines, laboratory equipment and testing equipment (Wafa, June 30, 2021).

Agreement signed for Japanese assistance for the Palestinian ministry of health (Wafa, June 30, 2021). The Gaza Strip

The ministry of health in Gaza announced the markets would open on June 30 2021, after having been closed for more than ten months because of the virus. Teams of ministry inspectors paid visits to the markets to make sure all the vendors has been vaccinated. Stall owners in the markets expressed satisfaction with the reopening and reported that trade was lively (YouTube, June 30, 2021).

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Right: Markets reopen in the Gaza Strip (Twitter account of journalist Hassan Aslih, June 30, 2021). Left: Sales in the meat market increase in preparation for Eid al-Adha (Twitter account of journalist Hassan Aslih, July 2, 2021).

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