News of the Israeli-Palestinian Confrontation May 16-31, 2006

Center for Special Studies Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center

Rocket fire in the north… …and in the south Contents Overview

Important events

Statistical data

Israel’s policies

The Palestinian arena

Humanitarian A day of battles with Hezbollah aid Qassam rockets continued to attack after a volley of Katyusha rockets Israeli population centers in the was fired deep into Israel. Photo: Hamas political Negev. Defense Minister Amir Peretz activity The Israeli Air Force attacks in examines the damage to a house in Lebanon (Al-Manar TV, May 28) his hometown, Sderot (Photo: Reuters, May 31).

Overview During the second half of May, terrorist actions focused on Qassam rockets in the south and a volley of 122 mm (4.8”) Katyusha rockets in the north. The Katyushas, fired at the Mt. Meiron ridge, hit an Israeli Air Force base and led to a heavy exchange of fire between the IDF and Hezbollah, the most significant since the IDF withdrew from Lebanon. In the south the Qassam rocket fire continued, although it was reduced by a certain extent through by forceful counterterrorist activities carried out by the Israeli security forces. Prominent were the rockets which hit dwellings and a school building in the southern city of Sderot, and only luck prevented casualties. In the political arena, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert visited Washington. During his visit the realignment plan was discussed, as was the Iranian nuclear threat. Prime Minister Olmert assured the

Americans that he remained committed to the roadmap and would work to discuss issues with Abu

Mazen. However, he continued, if Israel did not find a Palestinian partner it would implement the realignment plan. American President George Bush called the ideas raised by Prime Minister Olmert “bold,” but said that he viewed it as an intermediary step and that the preferred solution as a final agreement arrived at through mutual agreement based on the roadmap.

Important events on the ground

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Rocket fire deep into the Galilee: Before sunrise on May 28 a volley of eight 122 mm (4.8”) Katysha rockets was fired at Mt. Meiron. Three of them hit an Air Force base; an IDF soldier was slightly wounded. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) claimed responsibility for the attack, representing it as a reprisal for the killing of Mahmoud al-Majzoub, a senior PIJ terrorist-operative in Lebanon, whose death was blamed on Israel. Shortly afterwards, possibly prodded by Hezbollah, the PIJ issued a statement denying responsible for the attack.

Two bases belonging to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command (PFLP-GC), Ahmad Jibrils’ organization, were attacked: In response to the rocket fire, the Israeli Air Force attacked two bases belonging to the PFLP-CG in the areas of Sultan Ya’akub in south Lebanon and Al-Na’ama, south of Beirut. Nine terrorist-operatives were reportedly injured.

Heavy exchanges of fire between the IDF and Hezbollah along the Israeli-Lebanese border: During the afternoon there were heavy exchanges of fire after a Hezbollah sniper critically wounded an IDF soldier near Kibbutz Menara. Hezbollah employed a large number of rocket launchers and snipers to attack IDF posts and populated areas along the border. In response the IDF sent fighter planes and used artillery fire to attack about 20 Hezbollah strongholds along the border. In consequence one Hezbollah terrorist was killed, Hezbollah posts were damaged and two rocket-launching vehicles were destroyed.

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A ceasefire was effected in the afternoon after the Lebanese government requested it though UNIFIL mediation.1

Fighting on the ground: the Israeli Air Force and IDF artillery attack Hezbollah strongholds along the Israeli-Lebanese border (Al-Manar TV, May 28).

The war for hearts and minds: a scene from a video commemorating a Hezbollah terrorist killed during the exchange of fire. In the foreground, the Lebanese flag with an inscription reading “We die to defend Lebanon” (Al-Manar TV, May 30). It was a Hezbollah attempt to reinforce its image as Lebanon’s defender vis-à-vis its rivals.

For further information see our Information Bulletin “Katyusha rockets fired deep into the Galilee led to a day of 1 http://www.terrorism-exchange of heavy fire between the IDF and Hezbollah…” at . info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/pdf/hezbollah_be0506.pdf

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During May, 54 Qassam rockets fell in the western Negev. It was a certain decrease in identified hits compared to previous months, which averaged 70-80 (See Statistical data). The reason for the decrease was, in our assessment, the forceful counterterrorist activities carried out by the IDF against Qassam launchers in the Gaza Strip (See below).

Among the more significant such events were the following: On the morning of May 31, rockets hit a residential area in Sderot, causing several people to go into shock. One of them hit close to the home of Amir Peretz, Israeli Minister of Defense (www.ynet.co.il). On May 22, a rocket fell near a high school in Sderot, damaging one of the classrooms. On May 16, a long- range Grad rocket fell on the community of Netiv Ha’assara, damaging a chicken coop and a hothouse.

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In addition to routine responses to Qassam rocket fire (artillery fire, targeted killings), the IDF was active in the northern Gaza Strip, aided by helicopters. On the night of May 29 the IDF entered the Gaza Strip in the vicinity of Beit Lahia, waited in ambush and opened fire at close rage at a group of terrorist-operatives as they were preparing to fire rockets into Israel. The group was composed of terrorists from the PIJ and the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) (Ramatan News Agency, May 29). Four terrorists were killed and eight wounded.

Palestinian rescue forces treating a terrorist wounded in the clash with the IDF soldiers. In the background is a rocket launcher ready for action (Al-Arabiya TV, May 30).

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Soldiers at a checkpoint at Burin (near Nablus) noticed two suspicious Palestinians. While they were being examined the two tried to escape. As the soldiers chased them, the Palestinians discarded a bag containing a explosive device weighing about 7 kg (about 15 lb). When caught, the two admitted that they were on their way to Jerusalem to carry out a suicide bombing attack in Israel. The taxi driver who was supposed to bring them was also arrested. The explosive device was detonated in a controlled explosion by the Israeli security forces (IDF Spokesman, May 29).

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During the second half of May intensive counterterrorist activities continued in the West Bank. Dozens of suspected terrorists were arrested, a great many weapons were captured and terrorist attacks were prevented. Conspicuous among them were the following:

D The killing of a senior PIJ terrorist-operative: On May 20 the Israeli Air Force hit the vehicle of Muhammad Sha’aban Ibrahim Dahdouh, killing him. Three passersby were also killed. Muhammad Dahdouh specialized in manufacturing rockets (IDF Spokesman, May 21).

D In Ramallah, on May 22, Israeli security forces arrested Ibrahim Jamil ‘Abd al- Ghani Mar’i Hamed, head of Hamas’ terrorist-operative wing in the West Bank. Ibrahim Hamed, the most-wanted Hamas terrorist since 1998, was responsible for a long series of attacks which killed and wounded dozens of Israelis. Among them were the following (according to the IDF Spokesman, May 23):

March 9, 2002: A suicide bomber blew himself up at Café Moment in Jerusalem, killing 11 and wounding about 25.

May 7, 2002: A suicide bomber blew himself up at the Sheffield Club in Rishon Letzion, killing 15 and wounding about 51.

July 31, 2002: An explosive device blew up in the cafeteria of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, wounding nine. 5 6

September 9, 2003: A suicide bomber blew himself up at a bus stop across from the Tzrifin army base, killing nine and wounding about 14.

September 9, 2003: A suicide bomber blew himself up at Café Hillel in Jerusalem, killing seven and wounding about 70.

He directed the terrorist groups which tried to blow up the gas reservoirs at Pi Gelilot on May 23, 2002, and which carried out the attacks on trains of June 21, 2002 and June 30, 2004.

A Hamas poster glorifying the terrorist activity of arrested Ibrahim Hamed. From top to bottom the inscriptions read: “The most wanted man on the West Bank;” (in large letters:) “The Myth;” “The senior leader of Izzedine al-Qassam Battalions, the prisoner sheikh Ibrahim Hamed” (Izzedine al-Qassam Battalions Internet site, May 30).

D Muhammad Samir Muhammad Shobaqi, PIJ leader in Qalqilya, arrested in Ramallah, May 24: While carrying out arrests, an Israeli force was attacked with rocks and live ammunition. In the ensuing clash, four Palestinians were killed and about 30 wounded. Arrested was Muhammad Shobaqi, who had been released from an Israeli prison two years ago, at which time he returned to his terrorist activities.

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Statistical data since the disengagement222 MMMooonnnttthhhlllyyy dddiiissstttrrriiibbbuuutttiiiooonnn ooofff aaattttttaaaccckkksss

197 200 173 180 168 150 147 148 150 98 118

76 100

0 Apr-06 May-06 מרץAug-05 Sep-05 Oct-05 Nov-05 Dec-05 Jan-06 Feb-06 06- Grenades Explosive Charges Suicide Bombers Personal Assaults Anti-Tank Fire Small Arms Fire Rocket F

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120

100 91

80 80 75 70 68 63 60 54 46 43 40 26

] 0 Aug-05 Sep-05 Oct-05 Nov-05 Dec-05 Jan-06 Feb-06 Mar-06 Apr-06 May-06

2 As of the morning of May 31, 2006.

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100 92 90 74 80

55 60 50

50 41

33 40

26 30 19 15 20

9 8 8 9 4 10 1 1 1 1 0 Aug-05 Sep-05 Oct-05 Nov-05 Dec-05 Jan-06 Feb-06 Mar-06 Apr-06 May-06 Total Killed Total Wounded

Israeli policies TTThhheee IIIrrraaannniiiaaannn ttthhhrrreeeaaattt aaannnddd ttthhheee rrreeeaaallliiigggnnmmmeeennnttt ppplllaaannn fffooocccuuussseeeddd ooonnn iiinnn ttthhheee IIIsssrrraaaeeelll’’’sss PPPrrriiimmmeee MMMiiinnniiisssttteeerrr’’’sss tttaaalllkkksss iiinnn ttthhheee UUUnnniiittteeeddd SSStttaaattteeesss

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert paid his first visit to the United States as head of the government. His May 23 talk with American President George Bush focused on the Iranian threat and Israeli policies toward the Palestinians. Agreements and understandings were reached on both topics:

D The Iranian threat: Aluf Ben, Haaretz Washington correspondent, quoting sources from the prime minister’s entourage, reported that a double understanding was reached regarding the Iranian threat. First, “everything has to be done” to make sure Iran does not achieve nuclear capabilities. Second, an American umbrella would be give to Israel should Iran become a nuclear power and turn against it. President Bush stated that “should Israel be attacked in any way, the United States will come to its aid” (Haaretz, May 26).

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D The Palestinians: Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised his commitment to the road map and that he “extended his hand in peace” to Abu Mazen. However, should he not find a Palestinian partner, Israel would “seek other alternatives” and it would be time for the “realignment.” At a joint press conference President Bush said that he preferred the alternative of an agreement based on the road map. He called the realignment plan a “bold idea” which could be “an important step toward peace.” However, he made it clear that he viewed the realignment plan as an intermediate step and that final borders would only be achieved through mutual agreement.

The Iranian threat and the realignment plan were prominent themes in the Prime Minister’s speech before the joint session of the Houses of Congress on May 24. The following are some of the main points of his speech:

D “Let me state this as clearly as I can: we will not yield to terror, we will not surrender to terror… the Palestinian Authority is ruled by Hamas – an organization committed to vehement anti-Semitism, the glorification of terror and the total destruction of Israel…[and it] can never be a partner.”

D “… I extend my hand in peace to Mahmoud Abbas, elected president of the Palestinian Authority. On behalf of the State of Israel, we are willing to negotiate with the Palestinian Authority. This authority must renounce terrorism, dismantle the terrorist infrastructure, accept previous agreements and commitments, and recognize the right of Israel to exist.”

D “…The road map was and remains the right plan. A Palestinian leadership that fulfills its commitments and obligations will find us a willing partner in peace. But if they refuse, we will not give a terrorist régime a veto over progress… Should be realize that the bilateral track with the Palestinians is of no consequence…Israel will seek other alternatives…[and] at that juncture, the time for realignment will occur… Realignment

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would significantly reduce the friction between Israelis and Palestinians and prevent much of the conflict…”

D “Iran, the world’s leading sponsor of terror…stands on the verge of acquiring nuclear weapons. With these weapons, the security of the entire world is put in jeopardy. We deeply appreciate America’s leadership in this issue and the strong bipartisan conviction that a nuclear-armed Iran is an intolerable threat to the peace and security of the whole world… A nuclear Iran means…the mass destruction of innocent human life… For us, this is an existential threat… But it is not Israel’s threat alone… If we don’t take Iran’s bellicose rhetoric seriously now, we will be forced to take its nuclear aggression seriously later.”

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On May 30 Interior Minister Roni Bar-On signed an injunction ordering four Hamas activists to resign their membership in the Palestinian Legislative Council and government, otherwise he would revoke their status as permanent residents of the State of Israel within 30 days. The four are Khaled Abu ‘Arafa, Minister without Portfolio in Charge of Jerusalem Affairs, and three members of the Palestinian Legislative Council. Minister Bar-On said that the four were members of Hamas, which is defined as a terrorist organization, and that it was within his powers to revoke their permits to reside in Israel. In response the four said they would oppose the decision in every way possible. One of them, Muhammad Abu Tir, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, said they would appeal to Israeli courts and after that to international courts (Ma’a News Agency, May 30).

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The internal Palestinian arena VVViiiooollleeennnttt FFFaaatttaaahhh---HHHaaammmaaasss cccooonnnfffrrrooonnntttaaatttiiiooonnnss wwwooorrrssseeennneeeddd

During the second half of May, the violent clashes between rival powers in the Palestinian Authority (PA) worsened, especially between Fatah’s Palestinian Preventive Security forces and Hamas. Most of the clashes occurred in the Gaza Strip, and occasionally spilled over into the West Bank. They included killings, abductions, shootings and explosive devices, and killed and wounded people on both sides. Nevertheless both Fatah and Hamas made attempts to keep the clashes controlled to prevent them from turning into an out-and-out civil war.

Among the clashes were a number of attacks on senior members of the Palestinian security forces behind which were, in our assessment, operatives of Hamas’ terrorist-operative wing:

D Tareq Abu Rajab, head of Palestinian general intelligence for the Gaza Strip, was attacked with an explosive device placed in the elevator of Palestinian general intelligence headquarters for the Gaza Strip. Tareq Abu Rajab was critically wounded and taken to a hospital in Israel; two of his bodyguards were killed.

D Nabil Hudhud, head of Palestinian Preventive Security (PPS) in Dir al-Balah was killed by an explosive charge and shots fired at his car next to the headquarters of the PPS in Gaza (AP, May 24).

D An attempt was made on the life of Rashid Abu Shobaq, responsible for internal security at the interior ministry. An explosive device weighing several dozen kilograms was placed near his house but did not explode.

D An attempt was made on the life of Salim Abu Safiyyah, border-crossings director. An explosive device weighing several dozen kilograms was placed near his house but did not explode.

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The fire-gutted car of Wasfi Kabaha, Hamas minister of prisoners’ affairs, in Jenin; another result of the clashes (Hamas Internet site, May 30).

The continuing violent incidents are accompanied by a propaganda war of mutual mud- slinging in which both sides blame the other for the deterioration of security. At the same time attempts have been made to defuse the situation through Egyptian negotiation, meetings held by representatives of Abu Mazen and Ismail Haniya, and within the national dialogue (See below).

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Because of the continuing deterioration of security and the inability of the security forces to impose law and order, Said Siyam, interior minister for the Hamas government, announced he was establishing a new security force, called the “operational force.” The Palestinian media reported it was composed of 3,000 members and would be staffed by terrorist-operatives belonging to Hamas and the PRC. Formally it belongs to the police force and is directly subordinate to the interior minister; its members carry our policing operations and ensure public order (Al-Quds, May 21). The force was established quickly and its members hastened to deploy in the Gaza Strip.

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Members of the new security force deployed in the Interior minister Said Siyam Gaza Strip (Al-Jazeera TV, May 18). announcing the establishment of the new security force and its deployment (Al-Jazeera TV, May 18).

The force, is considered an operative arm of Hamas directed against its internal enemies. Its establishment has not defused the security situation but rather worsened it, acting as a catalyst to increase the clashes between the rival sides. Fatah announced that the new force was illegal and that it viewed its establishment as escalation which might lead to a civil war. As a counter-step it announced it was establishing its own security force whose members would take to the streets and confront Hamas operatives. Fatah also held demonstrations attended by Gaza Strip residents to protest the new Hamas security force.

A demonstration in Gaza against the new Hamas security force (Palestinian TV, May 18).

So far, despite pressures, interior minister Said Siyam, supported by Palestinian prime minister Ismail Haniya, has refused to back down or change his decision. Senior Hamas members stressed the fact that the force was legal and even claimed that it had been established 13 14

in coordination with Abu Mazen. However, the interior minister tried to minimize visibility of the security force in the streets of the Gaza Strip but the force and the antagonism it stirred continue and increase tensions on both sides.

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On May 25 the first meeting of the Palestinian “national dialogue” was held, attended by representatives of the Palestinian factions. The dialogue was the result of increasing public pressure to end the anarchy and violent Fatah-Hamas clashes. In his opening speech Abu Mazen stated (giving a kind of ultimatum) that if within ten days no agreements had been reached, then within 40 days he would refer the “prisoners’ initiative” to the Palestinian population as a national referendum.

The so-called “prisoners’ document” is a national “document of reconciliation” composed by prisoner leaders in the Hadarim prison (in the coastal plain), aimed to promote the national dialogue. It was formulated by Palestinian leaders currently in prison headed by Fatah’s Marwan Barghouti, Hamas’ ‘Abd al-Khalq al-Natshe and the PIJ’s Bassam al-Sa’adi. The following are the document’s main points (according to the version issued by the Palestinian News Agency, May 11):

D The Palestinian people seeks to establish an independent state with it capital in Jerusalem and in the territories occupied in 1967 (Article 1).

D Ensuring the “right of return” for the Palestinian refugees (Article 1).

D The release of all the prisoners and those arrested is a sacred national duty (Articles 1, 8).

D The right of the Palestinian people to adhere to the “resistance” [i.e., violence and terrorism], focusing it on the territories occupied in 1976 (Article 3).

D The establishment of a national unity government in which Fatah and Hamas will also participate (Article 6).

D Conducting negotiations on behalf of the Palestinian people is the prerogative of the PLO and the chairman of the Palestinian Authority (Article 7).

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While Fatah was expressing its support of the “prisoners’ document,” Hamas expressed it reservations. They were based on its opposition to some of the articles and because it viewed Abu Mazen’s use of the initiative as an attempt to force his position on Hamas by circumventing the Palestinian Legislative Council. Hamas prisoners in other Israeli jails also issued an announcement of their reservations regarding the initiative (Ramatan News Agency, May 27). Among the Palestinian population, on the other hand, there is overwhelming support (about 85%) for both the initiative and Abu Mazen’s referring it to a referendum (about 81%) (from a survey conducted by Near East Consulting and reported in Al-Hayat Al-Jadeeda, May 29).

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Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas spokesman in the Gaza Strip, was arrested on May 19 at the Rafah crossing with €639,000 in his possession, carried in a money-belt (Reuters, May 19). He claimed it was money donated to prisoners’ families. It was confiscated and transferred to the Hamas interior minister to be used for government purposes (Hamas Internet site, May 22).

Sami Abu Zuhri leaving for Egypt via the Rafah crossing (Al- Jazeera TV, May 14).

Humanitarian aid for the Palestinians OOOvvveeerrrvvviiieeewww The continuing Palestinian financial crisis led to a delay in paying the salaries of March, April (and as of now, May), and signs of distress and need continue to be evident among the Palestinian population, manifested by a worsening of unemployment, poverty and damage to

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the fabric of society. All of the above harm the Hamas government’s ability to function properly and commit it to trying to find a way of dealing with its financial difficulties.

Especially troublesome is the continuing delay in the disbursement of salaries. The government has tried to find specific, immediate solutions, such as giving advances on salaries to about 40,000 employees who earn low wages (less than 1,500 NIS – about $333). At the same time the Hamas government is making an effort to enlist resources that will enable it to solve the fundamental problem. In the meantime PA workers have increased their protests. There were protests in Ramallah and Bethlehem on May 30, and a general strike is planned for June 3. Abu Mazen and a Hamas delegation are trying to enlist international aid, while Abu Mazen repeatedly has repeatedly warned of the increase in poverty, hunger and anarchy.

Nevertheless, in the meantime Hamas’ support seems to remain firm among the Palestinian population. That is because of the lack of an alternative (a result of Fatah’s weakness) and because Hamas continues to preserve a “clean” image, presenting itself as trying to find a solution for the Palestinian people’s pressing problems. Criticism is channeled by Hamas against Israel, the United States, the European community and sometimes even the Arab/Muslim world as “guilty” of the “siege” imposed on the Palestinian people (according to Hamas terminology).

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In accordance with the Quartet decision of May 9, a proposal to establish an apparatus for aiding the Palestinians is now under discussion in the European Commission. Emma Edwin, the European Commission spokesperson for foreign affairs, announced that in the near future the European Union (EU) would present a detailed program for channeling international aid to the Palestinians, sidestepping Hamas (AP, Brussels, May 29). The program would enable the EU to get into high gear and transfer humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.

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At its May 21 meeting, the government of Israel decided to allow the transfer of drugs and medical equipment worth 50,000 NIS (about $11,000). The aid will be funded from Palestinian tax receipts frozen by Israel. The drugs and equipment will be delivered directly to Palestinian 16 17

medical institutions through international aid organizations (Israeli Prime Minister’s Internet site). The Israeli Ministry of Defense is looking for a way to transfer drugs and medical equipment through international aid organizations, as well as to transfer funds for humanitarian aid from countries and international organizations to the PA via Israel.

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A number of countries have announced their intention to transfer humanitarian aid to the Palestinians. For example, the foreign minister of Malaysia said he would provide aid worth $16 million to reinforce the PA’s infrastructure and aid special projects (Al-Bayan, May 28); Morocco sent 201 tons of foodstuffs by sea (Agence France-Presse, May 28); Switzerland decided to donate $819,000 to purchase medications (Agence France-Presse, May 28); the president of Indonesia promised to give the PA foodstuffs and medical aid (Reuters, May 26); a group of Indonesian politicians gave Hamas foreign minister Muhammad Al-Zahar $251,000 in cash and members of the Indonesian legislature he met with gave him an additional donation of $90,000 in cash (Reuters, May 26).

Hamas continues its political activity to enlist aid and break out of its international isolation

Senior Hamas members continue their world tour to win international recognition and support for the Hamas government

D Dr. ‘Atef Ibrahim Muhammad ‘Odwan, Minister without Portfolio in Charge of Refugee Affairs, making a round of European countries, visited Sweden and Norway (May 12-16). From there he went to Germany, where he met with members of the German parliament, including head of the Committee for Aid and Development and the Foreign Affairs Committee. A spokeman for the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, said that she expressed anger over the visit, which she had not authorized, saying that the Palestinian minister would be persona non grata until the PA acceded to the damands of the international community (Agence France-Presse, May 17).

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‘Atef ‘Odwan and former Norwegian prime minister (Al-Safsaf, May 24).

D During his visit in Indonesia, Muhammad al-Zahar met with the president, the foreign minister and the chairman of the Indonesian parliament. He was also invited to participate in a conference of the unaligned nations taking place in Indonesia. He declined because at the conference the Palestinians would be represented by Farouk Qadoumi, chairman of the PLO’s political bureau (Farouk Qadoumi called Mahmoud al-Zahar an “amateur” and noted that his own status was higher than that of the representatives of the Palestinian government. Agence France-Presse, May 29).

D On May 17 China invited Muhammad al-Zahar to participate in a Sino-Arab conference in Beijing, during which he would meet the Chinese foreign minister. A senior official of the Chinese foreign ministry said China called upon the international community to respect the results of the elections in the PA, although it demanded that Hamas honor previous political agreements (Al-Ayam, May 18). Mahmoud al-Zahar is expect to visit Sri Lanka and Iran.

While Hamas continues its efforts to enlist support from European and Arab/Muslim states, Ismail Haniya, Hamas prime minister, viciously attacked the United States. In an interview with the Iranian news agency he said that the United States was an enemy of Islam and Muslims and that the American government was under the influence of the “Zionist lobby.” He accused the United States of making every effort to bring about the failure of Hamas, which was democratically elected (IRNA, May 30).