The West Bank and Settlements 3

October 7, 2024

One year on and Iranian proxies continue to attack Israel

Israel has commemorated the one-year anniversary of Hamas’s October 7^th attacks, as it continues military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, while coming under rocket and missile fire from Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.

Sirens sound this morning in Haifa, Acre and several surrounding towns and villages after a barrage of around 100 rockets were fired from Lebanon so far this morning.
Hezbollah launched 190 projectiles yesterday, including at civilian population centres in Tel Aviv and Haifa. Hezbollah claimed that it targeted the Glilot army base where the IDF’s 8200 signals intelligence unit is headquartered. The IDF says that five rockets were launched in the attack, some of which were intercepted and the rest struck open areas, causing no injuries or major damage.
Military operations against Hezbollah are continuing, with focus on southern Lebanon, and the Dahiya suburb of Beirut. A fourth army division has been deployed to southern Lebanon with the IDF stating it is conducting “limited, localised and targeted operations” in the area.
The IDF announced that it killed the head of Hezbollah’s logistical headquarters, Suhail Hussein Husseini in an airstrike on Beirut. Husseini, a member of Hezbollah’s Jihad Council, participated in weapon transfers between Hezbollah and Iran and was responsible for distributing the advanced weaponry among Hezbollah’s units. Further airstrikes were also conducted on Hezbollah targets in the more northern Beqaa Valley.
The Iranian foreign minister warned Israel against retaliating for its attack against Israel last week adding that any attack on Iran’s infrastructure would be met with a stronger response.
The IDF successfully intercepted a surface to surface ballistic missile fired at central Israel from Yemen. Sirens sounded across the centre of the country, but no injuries or damage was reported.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for this attack, saying that two missiles were fired at Israel as well as numerous drones targeting Eilat and Jaffa.
One Israeli soldier has been killed in the IDF’s latest operations in the northern Gaza Strip with another soldier suffering serious injuries in the same incident. His death marks the IDF’s 350^th fatality since launching the ground operation last October.
The IDF said that 20 Hamas operatives were killed in the past day during a new IDF operation in northern Gaza’s Jabaliya.
Hamas also targeted central Israel with a barrage of rocket fire while October 7^th commemorations took place. While mostly intercepted, shrapnel falling caused some damage to a property in Kfar Chabad where it also lightly wounded two women.
After weeks of silence, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has reestablished contact with hostage-ceasefire deal mediators in Qatar while former Hamas politburo chief, Khaled Mashaal told Reuters that the group would rise “like a Phoenix”, and that it continues to recruit fighters and manufacture weapons.

Context: Israel marked the anniversary of the October 7^th attack in two separate national ceremonies last night.

The first was held in Hayarkon Park in Tel Aviv, crowd-funded and organised by some of the victims’ families. It was originally expected to host 40,000 spectators, but due to the expanded range of recent rocket attacks, the capacity was reduced to fewer than 2,000.
The second, formal government-organised commemoration was held in an amphitheatre in Ofakim and pre-recorded several days ago. It was broadcast immediately after the first ceremony ended.
Both ceremonies included survivors’ testimony and musical accompaniment as well as reflecting a full range of Israeli society with messages of solidarity and unity. However the fact that two ceremonies were deemed necessary speaks largely to the continued anger and resentment felt my many over the government’s failure to take full responsibility into the disaster and its foot dragging in launching a state commission of enquiry into the disaster.
There is growing concern for the 101 hostages in Gaza. The latest intelligence assessment made public includes:
- Most of the hostages are being held in tunnels, likely narrow passageways with very little food, without electricity, without showers and without bathrooms, and with almost no air.
- The terrorist captors holding them have become more violent toward the hostages the more the IDF intensified its attacks. One official reportedly told the families that the terrorists’ finger on the trigger had become lighter. He said that the terrorists had been given a direct order to execute hostages if they felt in danger or if they heard soldiers approaching.
- The assessment is that most have lost 20% of their weight and some are most likely are suffering from severe medical issues that have not been treated.
- In such difficult conditions the hostages will not be able to survive for an extended period of time.
Despite the resumption of communication with Sinwar and the pressure from the families to reach a deal, the chances are not considered to be high. This is due to Sinwar’s continued intransigence and Israel’s formal demand to retain its position on the Philadelphi Corridor.
There had been efforts to reinvigorate a plan that would see all of the hostages released and allow Sinwar and the remaining Hamas leadership safe passage out of Gaza.
It remains unclear how much the US administration can invest in this process as the election draws nearer.
In parallel Israel is looking to increase the humanitarian aid into Gaza. The estimated cost is $5.4 billion (£4.12bn) per year for food alone. There are also suggestions that the Israeli Government is pushing to have IDF take over the distribution of all aid to Gaza. The IDF would take responsibility for every stage of the process – purchasing the aid, transporting it, securing it and distributing it to Gaza’s residents.
In the UK, Prime Minister Starmer made a statement to the House of Commons yesterday paying tribute to the victims of October 7th, including 15 British citizens who were slain, and another victim who has since died in captivity. He also talked about the Palestinians death toll, and the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.
The Prime Minister said he supports Israel’s right to defend herself against Iran’s aggression in line with international law.

Looking ahead: The head of IDF Northern Command has told local leaders of northern communities that they could begin to make plans for the return of their residents after the Succot holiday, at the end of the month. The prevailing assessment is that the communities in question are ones that are at a distance from the border and leaders of these communities will await government endorsement of endorse this plan.

Consultations between Israel and the US continue over a response to Iran for firing 181 ballistic missiles at Israel last week. There are a number of attack options: from military installations to symbols of government, energy infrastructure and the Iranian nuclear programme.
The Israeli government has declared that going forward an additional – ‘Iron Sword War Memorial Day’ will be marked every year on October 7th.

May 22, 2023

Three Palestinians killed in IDF raid

Overnight the IDF operated simultaneously in Balata refugee camp (in the Nablus area) and in Jenin.

In Balata, three Palestinians were killed and nine wounded during an exchange of fire that lasted several hours.
Palestinian sources identified the three dead as belonging to Fatah’s al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, including the Commander Fathi Rizk, 30; Abdullah Abu Hamdan, 24; and Muhammad Zaytoun, 32.
During the counter-terror raid IDF troops also arrested three wanted men and confiscated weapons including three M-16 rifles, ammunition, military equipment and weapon parts.
Based on intelligence from the Shin Bet, the IDF also exposed an explosives manufacturing site containing, according to the IDF, “dozens of kilograms of explosives designated for carrying out attacks. The manufacturing site was detonated by the forces.”
In parallel in Jenin, the IDF arrested three men and also confiscated military equipment.
The Palestinian Authority Spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh described the operation as “a veritable massacre” adding, it is “the continuation of the full-scale war that is being waged against the Palestinian people. The ongoing aggression in Nablus is a war crime that must be ended. The Israeli government bears responsibility for this dangerous and ongoing escalation.”
Yesterday there was a car ramming attack in the village of Huwara south of Nablus. An IDF soldier was wounded and taken to hospital in moderate condition. The driver of the car drove onto the sidewalk, accelerated, hit the soldier and fled the scene. A second soldier opened fire, but apparently missed and the vehicle fled towards Nablus.

Context: These targeted IDF operations in Palestinian West Bank cities are once again carried out by IDF elite ground forces, as opposed to the air force strikes carried out in the Gaza Strip earlier this month.

For the IDF this is reinforcing their intelligence and operational capabilities to act against terror targets deep in Palestinian built up areas. It also attests to their ability to act precisely against armed targets whilst avoiding collateral damage as much as possible.
Prior to the car-ramming in Huwara, there had been two weeks of quiet in the West Bank, that also saw a decrease in planned attacks against Israelis.
However the car-ramming in Huwara is the fourth terror attack in the village in the last two months.
Ahead of the weekly Israeli cabinet meeting which was held in the Western Wall tunnels, Minister Ben Gvir visited the Temple Mount, for the second time this year.
Whilst his visit was criticised as provocative by some, others noted the fact that he delayed his visit, and did not go up last week on Jerusalem Day.
Meanwhile in the northern West Bank, head of IDF Central Command Maj. Gen. Yehuda Fuchs signed an order allowing Israelis to re-enter the former settlement of Homesh.
Homesh was one of four West Bank settlements evacuated in 2005 during the disengagement (removal of all the settlements from Gaza Strip).
The military order follows the Knesset decision from two months ago that rescinded the application of the disengagement law in the West Bank.
The move will add to tension between Israel and the US with the move criticised by US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller as “deeply troubling.”

Looking ahead: The IDF will continue its manhunt for the driver of the car-ramming attack in Huwara yesterday.

Now that Fuchs has signed the order, Israeli civilians will be permitted to return to the demolished settlement and to stay there.
However, the future of the site and specifically the yeshiva, remains unclear, as it was built on private Palestinian land and therefore still needs to be relocated.

May 10, 2023

Israel braced for retaliatory attacks

Instructions remain in place for Israeli communities within 40km of the Gaza Strip border to stay in close proximity to bomb shelters following the assassination of three senior commanders of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).

Following the Israeli strikes, yesterday Prime Minister Netanyahu held a press conference alongside Defence Minister Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Halevi and Director of the Shin Bet Security Service Ronen Bar. Prime Minister Netanyahu said that he and Defence Minister Gallant have instructed security forces to prepare for all escalation scenarios, including the possibility of more than one front.
Ronen Bar revealed that one of the targets assassinated yesterday, Tarek Az Aldin, had been working on creating a rocket-launching apparatus in the West Bank city of Jenin and had taught a cell how to build and fire rockets.
Following the earlier strikes, yesterday afternoon an IDF aircraft targeted a PIJ squad travelling by car, killing two operatives whist transporting anti-tank guided missiles to a launch pad in the southern Gaza Strip.
Last night IDF soldiers killed two armed gunmen near Jenin, after troops came under fire from a passing car.

Operation Shield and Arrow: The operation launched early Tuesday morning caught the PIJ completely by surprise.

It included 40 aircraft, that struck the three senior PIJ targets in their homes simultaneously.
- Khalil Bahatini – PIJ Commander of the Northern Gaza Strip.
- Jihad Ahnam – Secretary of the PIJ Military Council (released in the Shalit deal).
- Tariq Az Aldin – Senior member of PIJ military leadership, responsible for military activities in the West Bank.
Images of the strikes show the targeting of their apartments without causing extensive damage to the rest of the building.
However, alongside the three senior commanders, 10 non-combatant Palestinians were killed, including four women and four children. Twenty others were injured.
In addition to the three assassinations, several other PIJ military sites were also targeted.

Context: The decision to target the three senior PIJ commanders was made last week after over 100 rockets were fired towards southern Israel.

One of the key indicators for this round of fighting will be whether Hamas also takes part in the fighting, and to what extent. Last August when Israeli launched Operation Breaking Dawn, which also targeted senior PIJ commanders, Hamas did not get involved.
There is pressure from Iran (the main backer of PIJ) on Hamas to be part of the response.
Khaled Mashal, the leader of Hamas outside the Gaza Strip threatened yesterday, “The blood-stained, vile assassination of three of the best of our nation in Gaza is a treacherous crime. There will be a strong response from the unified resistance forces.”
As ever Egypt plays a critical role in the indirect mediation between the sides. Israel has reportedly sent a message via Egyptian mediators warning Hamas not to respond, saying that if Hamas were to join the fighting, its senior leadership would also be considered targets for assassination.
If Hamas does choose to engage, this could lead to expansion of the operation, possibly beyond the Gaza Strip.
One of the primary motivations of launching the operation was to restore deterrence. In particular following the rocket fire over Passover from not only the Gaza Strip but also from Lebanon and Syria.
There were insinuations that the strike had a political dimension, due to pressure from Minister Ben Gvir. However, this has been stringently rejected, Yediot Ahronot quotes a source close to the prime minster clarifying, “The State of Israel’s security actions are not linked in any way to the steps taken by one party or another in the coalition and are taken only on the basis of security and state considerations.”
Notably, Ben Gvir was not part of the security consultations, partly over fears of leaks, despite his role as Minister for National Security.
Chief of Staff Halevi related to the deaths of the non-combatants, that Israel goes to lengths to avoid. However, he noted that the terrorists systematically operate from within the civilian population and, by so doing, placed their lives in jeopardy.

Looking ahead: Israel’s security establishment is on its highest level of alert ahead of possible retaliatory attacks.

PIJ has warned that they would respond at a time, place and manner that would surprise Israel.

May 5, 2023

Israel strikes Dee killers in Nablus

What happened: Around 200 Israeli troops took part in a counter-terror raid yesterday morning, targeting the terrorists who killed three members of the Dee family.

The raid deep into the casbah of Nablus was partially captured in Palestinian CCTV and appeared to show the lead IDF soldiers in disguise, including some dressed as women, others as labourers.
Troops surrounded the building and following a short gun fight, the IDF announced that they killed the two Hamas terrorist operatives Hassan Ktnani and Maed Mitsri along with third Hamas operative Ibrahim Hura, who had helped them hide.
The IDF also found two M-16 rifles and an AK-47 in the apartment used in the attack against the Dee family three weeks ago.

Responses: Following the operation, Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “This morning we settled the score with the murderers of Lucy, Maia, and Rina Dee. Our message to those who harm us, and to those who try to harm us, is that it may take a day, a week, or a month – be assured that we will come for you. It doesn’t matter where you try to hide, we will find you. Whoever harms us – their blood is on their own heads.”

Rabbi Leo Dee told Ynet, “The world will be able to sleep better when these terrorists are no longer alive. I am very happy to hear that no soldier or civilian was hurt or affected in the event. It is a mission that only the IDF and the Shin Bet can do.”
Curiously, the Governor of Nablus Ibrahim Ramadan released a statement saying, “The killing of the young men in Nablus this morning is a natural result of their non-compliance with the Palestinian security services and their refusal to surrender their weapons.”
Chairman of Palestinian Authority (PA) Mahmud Abbas said, “We strongly condemn the aggression against Nablus and call on the American administration to act to stop it.”
Hamas claimed all three men were members of their military wing and said the attack in the Jordan Valley was in response to the Israeli aggression against worshipers in al-Aqsa during the month of Ramadan.

Context: Intelligence sources have revealed that the security establishment knew the identity of the terrorists hours after the attack and assumed that they were hiding in the casbah in Nablus.

They waited until they had the precise location of their hideout.
The entire raid was completed in an hour, no other Palestinians were killed and no IDF forces were injured, though an IDF dog was killed whilst protecting a soldier.
The raid is another intelligence coup for Israel, as well as a complex operation in the heart of a Palestinian city in broad daylight.
The raid comes days after the latest flare-up when over a hundred rockets were fired from Gaza on Tuesday.
The IDF responded with airstrikes against sixteen military targets, with one Palestinian reportedly killed.
The relatively subdued response caused anger among some right wing members of the government. This anger was compounded when it was revealed that the prime minister did not invite Public Security Minister Ben Gvir to the security consultation. This is turn led Ben Gvir and his five members of Knesset to boycott parliamentary votes on Wednesday, with threats to resigns, and counter threats from the Likud telling him to quit.
The cell, with its affiliation to Hamas, attests to a rise in Hamas involvement in West Bank terror. In addition one of the men killed yesterday was a close family relation of Husam Badran, a senior Hamas official released as part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange, who now lives in Qatar.
The third man killed was also a member of the Lion’s Den group, further proof of their coordination with Hamas.
Overall there is growing concern over the terror infrastructure in the West Bank, particularly the phenomena of small cells armed with automatic weapons who are planning further attacks. There is increased speculation whether it will be necessary to conduct a wider scale military operation. Currently there are four possible scenarios:
- A large scale operation across the West Bank: the logic being it is better to strike before there is a major terror attack and take the initiative.
- Others have suggested a more gradual approach: instead of one large operation, a series of localised ones.
- A third option is to continue the current practice of targeted operations that focus on specific intelligence against wanted suspects or ‘ticking bombs’ where an attack is imminent.
- A fourth option is to empower PA security forces to operate against these threats.
- A fifth option could be a combination of the last three options.
Meanwhile, in Damascus yesterday, as part of his historic visit, Iranian President Raisi met with Palestinian leaders including the head of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Ziyad al-Nakhalah as the latest indicator of closer Iranian ties to Palestinian terror groups.

Looking ahead: Large deployments of IDF troops remain in place across the West Bank, with Hamas threatening to launch revenge attacks for yesterday’s killing.

In the next couple of weeks, the Palestinians will mark the Nakba Day (catastrophe) on May 15, the English anniversary of Israel’s independence. Later that week, Israel marks Jerusalem Day, the anniversary of reunifying the city. Both dates have in the past seen a spike in hostilities.

April 24, 2023

Jordanian parliamentarian caught smuggling weapons

Jordanian politician Imad Al-Adwan was arrested after he was caught smuggling almost 200 handguns and rifles at the Allenby Crossing on the Jordan River, from Jordan into the West Bank.
He initially raised suspicions after he arrived by car at the border crossing on Saturday night with three large heavy suitcases.
When taken for questioning he claimed that he was transferring gold, and that his parliamentary immunity would suffice.
Following inspection of the bags, he was found to be smuggling 160 handguns and 17 M16 rifles, individually wrapped in cellophane.
There are contradictory reports over whether he was also transferring any gold.
He was taken for questioning by the Shin Bet Security Service where they will try and ascertain who gave him the guns and who was meant to be the recipient.

Context: There has been a significant increase of smuggling weapons from Jordan into the West Bank over the last year.

However this appears to be the first instance of a Jordanian official involved. Though there is speculation that this was not the first time Al-Adwan had smuggled in weapons.
Al-Adwan is a member of the Jordanian parliament’s Palestine committee. He is known as a strong supporter of the Palestinians and Hamas. He is 35 years old, from one of the Jordanian tribes in the south (not a Palestinian).
The recent heavy proliferation of automatic weapons among Palestinian militias has increased the intensity of gun fights between Palestinians and the IDF (during IDF counter-terror operations). This has resulted in the deaths of dozens of young Palestinian combatants over the last year.
This incident follows Ramadan that saw increased tension, particularly over the Jordan’s traditional custodial role over Muslim prayer on the Temple Mount.
Israel and Jordan have been formally at peace since 1994, in that time there have been several security related incidents that have caused embarrassment and a rise in tension. This includes Israeli Mossad attempts to poison Hamas leader Khaled Mashal in 1997. In 2017 an Israeli Embassy security guard accidentally killed his Jordanian landlord with a stray bullet, following an alteration after he was stabbed by a young Palestinian. In this latest incident it’s the Jordanian side that may need to come up with some compensation.
However, overall Israel and Jordanian security forces work in close cooperation on a range of shared security issues, including the threat from ISIS and other extremist groups and the integrity of their shared border.
In the lead up to Ramadan Jordan hosted a summit in Aqaba, including senior Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian, Egyptian and US officials, among a range of issues was improving security coordination.

Looking ahead: Jordanian diplomats are engaging with Israeli officials to try and secure his release.

Israeli estimates believe he will be released after he has been questioned, with speculation over the terms and conditions that the Jordanians will pay in return.
As in previous years, a general closure will be imposed upon the West Bank and the Gaza Strip from today until the end of Independence Day on Wednesday night.
There remains a heightened state of alert with concerns over further attempted terror attacks.

April 19, 2023

Counter-terror arrests in Nablus and Jenin

There have been three separate terror attacks against Israeli citizens over the last three days.
On Tuesday morning, there was a shooting attack in Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem. Two men, both ultra-Orthodox, were driving back from morning prayers at the Tomb of Simon the Just when they were shot at close range. They were taken to hospital in moderate condition.
The suspect fled the scene on foot, abandoning his Carlo gun. The attack was captured on CCTV that assisted in identifying the attacker.
Earlier this month, the head of the Shin Bet Security Service, Ronen Bar, revealed it had prevented more than 200 “significant” terrorist attacks since the beginning of the year. Bar said that the thwarted attacks included “about 150 shooting attacks, 20 bomb attacks, car-rammings, suicide bombings, kidnappings and more.”
On Monday, an Israeli man was wounded in a stabbing attack at the Gush Etzion Junction. IDF troops at the scene shot the assailant, a female Palestinian.
Also on Monday, there was shooting towards Kibbutz Meirav, adjacent to the West Bank. No-one was injured, but one home was damaged.
Yesterday, the IDF carried out a counter-terror operation in Jenin. The operation was based on intelligence that a Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) cell was planning to imminently launch a terror attack. Three PIJ operatives were arrested, two of whom were experts in assembling explosives. During the arrest armed gunmen fired and threw explosive devices at the forces, who responded with live fire. Palestinian sources reported five people were wounded, one in serious condition.

Context: The attacks coincide with the end of Ramadan, a period that saw two lethal terror attacks against Israeli citizens, including the shooting of three members of the British-Israeli Dee family.

This week, the police announced that they prevented eight terror attacks in the last few days.
Earlier this month, the head of the Shin Bet Security Service, Ronen Bar, revealed it had prevented more than 200 “significant” terrorist attacks since the beginning of the year. Bar said that “over 200 significant attacks have been thwarted, including about 150 shooting attacks, 20 bomb attacks, car-rammings, suicide bombings, kidnappings and more.”
Yesterday, the Shin Bet cleared for publication the revelation that Hezbollah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps have tried again to recruit two West Bank Palestinians to carry out terror attacks in Israel. It revealed that the men had been approached on social media and had subsequently agreed to smuggle weapons into the West Bank. They also agreed, at the request of Hezbollah, to collect intelligence about IDF activities and to recruit additional operatives to carry out more terror attacks.
Meanwhile, the head of the Hamas political bureau Ismail Haniyeh led a delegation of senior Hamas officials to Saudi Arabia for the first time in eight years.
In parallel, Palestinian Authority Chairman Abbas is also visiting Saudi Arabia and met earlier with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.

Looking ahead: Next week Israel marks both Memorial and Independence Day. Security forces remain on the highest level of alert across all sectors, with intelligence suggesting more attacks are being planned.

The manhunt continues for the terrorists who murdered Lucy, Rina and Maia Dee.

April 15, 2023

Israel on high security alert on all fronts

Today is the forth Friday of Ramadan, and also Iranian-led Quds (Jerusalem) Day.
Tens of thousands of Muslim worshippers are expected to attend services on the Temple Mount / al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Police in Jerusalem have augmented their forces with around 2,300 police officers, Border Police troops and reinforcements from across the country deployed throughout the capital, particularly in East Jerusalem and the Old City.
In the West Bank, the IDF remains on a heightened state of alert having also deployed reinforcements across the sector over the last few days.
The Israel Airports Authority announced that the airspace near the northern and southern borders has been closed to civilian flights.

Stoking the Fire: Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has used Quds Day to rally against Israel.

This year Iran is promoting ‘resistance’ in the West Bank as a way to ‘protect’ Jerusalem.
Following Iran’s reconciliation with Saudi Arabia, Iran is encouraging all the Arab and Islamic countries (both Shia and Sunni) to act in unison against Israel.
Hamas has called for a large turnout of both Palestinians and Israeli Arabs to attend prayers today in al-Aqsa.
Ziyad al-Nakhlah, the leader of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), is visiting Iraq this week, he also called on the Arab world to unite against Israel, saying, “Positive steps are happening in the region. We will continue until we expel the Zionist invaders from our country.”
Yahya Sinwar, the head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, is expected to make a live address later today and share a digital platform with Iran’s president, Ibrahim Raisi.
There has been growing cooperation among Iranian-supported terror organisations, including high level meetings of Hezbollah, Hamas and PIJ leaders in Beirut.

Context: As in previous years Prime Minister Netanyahu decided to prevent non-Muslims from visiting the Temple Mount until the end of Ramadan.

The decision had the unanimous backing of Defence Minister Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Halevi and Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar.
National Security Minister Ben Gvir described the decision as “capitulation to terrorism.” According to Ben Gvir, “The lack of Jews’ presence on the Temple Mount will automatically result in a depletion of the police force on the mount, which will create fertile ground for huge displays of incitement to murder Jews and even to a scenario of stone-throwing at Jewish worshippers at the Western Wall. When terrorism strikes at us, we need to strike back at it with tremendous force, not to capitulate to it and its whims.”
The Chief Rabbinate, as usual, supported the decision, as according to their interpretation of Jewish Law it is forbidden for Jews to ascend the Temple Mount.
Following last week’s rocket attacks from Syria, Lebanon, Gaza Strip and two deadly terror attacks, this week has been relatively quiet. However, the IDF has continued to operate against terror cells in the West Bank. Five people were arrested in Jenin suspected of planning an imminent terror attack.
Earlier in the week two gunmen were killed in the Nablus area, after they shot at an IDF position.
The Israeli police entered the al-Aqsa mosque last Wednesday based on intelligence that a pre-planned attempt by hundreds of young men to bring rocks and explosives into the mosque was aimed start violence and unrest. No-one was killed, and there were no serious injuries, but footage of police violence contributed to the spike in attacks by Palestinian terror groups.
In Israel’s response to rockets from the Gaza Strip last week, the Air Force dropped 50 tons of explosives on Gaza, targeting Hamas military sites. No Gazans were killed in the strikes.
The response to the rockets from Lebanon was even lighter, so as not to risk further escalation. The Israeli assessment was that the rocket fire from southern Lebanon was a Hamas or an independent Palestinian initiative, with Hezbollah maintaining plausible deniability. However, Iran is certainly encouraging a more coordinated effort and ratcheting up the pressure.

Looking ahead: The police are aware that Hamas will be looking to exploit any rioting or attacks as a propaganda success.

Iron Dome missile defence systems are on a high state of alert, deployed around the Gaza Strip and the northern borders.
The ban on civilian flights is expected to remain in place until Sunday evening.

April 14, 2023

British-Israeli mother succumbs to wounds from terror attack

British mother Lucy Dee died of her wounds yesterday, three days after the deadly shooting attack that claimed the lives of her two daughters, Maia and Rina.
Her death is widely mourned across Israel, UK and the Jewish world. Both President Herzog and Prime Minister Netanyahu have issued condolences.
Her Husband, a former Rabbi in the UK, gave an impassioned plea to differentiate between good and evil.
Last night Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the nation. He began by again offering condolences to the Dee family.
Relating to the recent wave of attacks, Netanyahu blamed the previous government for the loss of deterrence.
He warned that if there are further attacks from Syria, President Assad will pay “a very heavy price,” adding that Israel will not allow Hamas to entrench itself in Lebanon.
Netanyahu also confirmed Defence Minister Gallant will remain in post, having put their past differences behind them.
In a rare move, he also answered questions from journalists. On the issue of judicial reforms, Netanyahu said that he was looking for a broad agreement, whist promising to protect minorities and women, LGBTQ people and the ultra-Orthodox.
Asked about the formation of a National Guard, Netanyahu said it “will not be anyone’s militia” and would fall under the command of one of the security forces.
Also yesterday – around 20,000 right wing Israelis including seven government ministers and 17 coalition MKs marched to the West Bank settler outpost of Evyatar in protest of recent terror attacks. Among the marchers were National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich.

Tension remains high, but relative calm has been maintained over the last 48 hours, despite the previous few days marked by rocket fire from Syria, Lebanon, Gaza Strip and two deadly terror attacks.

The right wing march was criticised by some on the right for diverting IDF troops to defend the marchers instead of participating in the manhunt for the terrorists that killed three members of the Dee family.
There was also criticism that Israel’s response to the recent attacks has been too feeble. Likud MK Danny Danon told Army Radio, “The containment approach isn’t working and has brought on further attacks. We have to pivot from containing to defeating. The current situation can’t go on. The effort to postpone the inevitable has only brought us to a multiple-theatre incident. We have all the capabilities and strength to pummel our enemies. Our region only understands force and the time has come for us to use it.”
However members of the security cabinet have maintained that Israel’s retaliatory strikes were proportionate and commensurate, given the circumstances.
The police released new intelligence that explained their decision to enter into the al Aqsa mosque last week. According to Police Commissioner Insp. Gen. Yaakov Shabtai, as well as rocks and fireworks, explosive devices were also smuggled into the Temple Mount last week with the intention of using them against the police.
Netanyahu’s comments blaming the outgoing government for the increased terror is the latest spat between government and opposition. On Sunday night, Netanyahu met with Leader of the Opposition Lapid and gave him a security update. Afterwards, Lapid said, “The opposition will support any action recommended by the security branches. I arrived at the briefing with Netanyahu worried, and I left even more worried.”
In response, the Likud accused Lapid of playing “petty politics instead of projecting a message of firm unity to our enemies.”
Latest opinion polling on Channel 13 News shows a massive surge for Benny Gantz’s, National Unity Party up to 29 seats (from 12) with Yesh Atid down slightly to 21. Whilst Likud slumps to 20 (currently with 32). The Religious Zionist Party and Jewish Power are also sightly down 11 (now 14), with Shas polling 9; United Torah Judaism: 6; Hadash-Ta’al: 6; United Arab List: 5; Yisrael Beiteinu: 5; Labour Party: 4; Balad: 4. This would give the current coalition parties: 46 seats (down from 64) and the former coalition parties: 64 seats with Hadash-Ta’al and Balad on 10 combined.
The same poll also shows both Lapid and Gantz receiving more support for being better suited to serve as prime minister, rather than Netanyahu.

The manhunt to apprehend the terrorists who murdered the three Dee family members is still ongoing after the terrorists’ vehicle was found by Palestinian Authority security forces in Nablus.

The organs of the late Lucy Dee were transplanted and have saved the lives of 5 people.
A decision is expected to be made soon on whether to allow or close the Temple Mount to Jewish visitors in the last week of Ramadan.
The security establishment has said there was no security reason for Jews not to visit the Temple Mount on the seventh day of Passover (tomorrow), but after that it could then be limited to Muslim worshippers for the duration of Ramadan.

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