Spotlight on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (June 25 – July 2 , 2024)

The southern arena: This past week IDF activity focused on the Shejaiya neighborhood in Gaza City, Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip and the Netzarim Corridor region in the central Gaza Strip. Six IDF soldiers were killed in five different incidents. Rocket fire continued targeting the cities, towns and villages surrounding the Gaza Strip.

The hostages: No progress has been made towards an agreement on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of the hostages. Isma’il Haniyeh, head of Hamas’ political bureau, reiterated that Hamas adhered to its position that any agreement had to guarantee the end of the war.

The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip: The Israeli Coordinator of Government Operations in the Territories reported that between March and June 2024, about nine million liters of fuel were brought in to operate essential facilities in the Gaza Strip. The American Department of Defense announced the dismantling of the floating naval pier because of the weather conditions; it is unclear if and when it will be reactivated. An expert report prepared by the UN stated there was no evidence of hunger in the Gaza Strip. An IDF inspection based on aerial mapping indicated that the extent of buildings destroyed in the Strip was significantly smaller than the data published by the UN and the international media. The connection of power lines in the Strip to the Israeli electricity grid has begun, for the first time since the beginning of the war, to operate a water desalination and sewage treatment facility.

The “day after:” Senior Hamas member Khaled Mashal admitted that the Gaza Strip had been destroyed, but called for the “resistance” to continue. He also said the era of the Oslo Accords was over. The Palestinian Authority condemned the statement.

Israel, Judea and Samaria: This past week no terrorist attacks were reported. The Israeli security forces continued their counterterrorism activities in Judea and Samaria. Two IDF soldiers were killed in IED explosions in Jenin and Tulkarm.

The Palestinian Authority: Senior Palestinian Authority figures held policy meetings and noted the need to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Palestinians condemned Israel’s Political-Security Cabinet’s decision to regulate the status of five outposts in Judea and Samaria.