Palestinian Weapons Production and Smuggling: What's New

October 30, 2005:

The Shin Bet security service announces it has arrested three Palestinians in an operation that thwarted an attempt to set up infrastructure for the manufacture of high-trajectory weapons such as rockets and mortars in the West Bank city of Jenin.

According to details of the affair revealed after a gag order was lifted, the Shin Bet arrested the three Palestinians in the Negev on October 5, all of whom were senior members of the Popular Resistance Committees.

The suspects are residents of the Gaza Strip who had crossed into Israel via the Sinai border. The three bribed Egyptian police at the Gaza border to let them pass, Army Radio reported. The suspects were arrested at the funeral of an Egyptian-Bedouin smuggler. An Egyptian guide was also arrested.

The three men are experienced manufacturers of rockets and explosives, and are suspected to have been involved in attacks against Israelis in the Gaza Strip. The head of the cell is Sharif Ziyada, 34, an explosives expert, who was carrying a loaded pistol and computer files with instructions, Army Radio reported.

The suspects were sent by the PRC to Jenin to create the network, which the Shin Bet said was intended to create an effective terror base in the northern West Bank. There the suspects received instructions on carrying out suicide attacks, and were advised on how to kidnap settlers and Israel Defense Forces soldiers.

The Be'er Sheva District Court has indicted the suspects, who allegedly participated in previous terror attacks in the Gaza Strip. One has admitted to installing explosives near the former Gaza Strip settlement of Netzarim in February 2002, an attack which killed three IDF soldiers.

The PRC was created in Rafah in 2002 as a local faction of Fatah. It is active throughout the Gaza strip, and receives aid and advise from Hamas and Hezbollah.

(Amos Harel, "3 Held as Shin Bet Foils Bid to Make Qassams in Jenin," Ha'aretz, October 30, 2005).

October 30, 2005:

During the weekly Israeli cabinet meeting, Shin Beit director Yuval Diskin reports a proliferation of terror threats and IDF Intelligence research chief Yossi Kupperwasser stresses the failure of the Palestinian Authority to assert any authority.

In addition, security circles dismiss the purported deal between the PA and terrorist groups to halt Qassam rocket fire into Israel.

("We Can’t Place the Entire Population of Coastal Israel in Bomb Shelters, So There Must Be No Missiles - Prime Minister Sharon," DebkaFile, October 30, 2005).

October 29, 2005:

The Aksa Martyrs Brigades claims to have developed a new rocket named the Aksa-3, with a range of 17 kilometers.

The IDF has not commented directly, but outgoing OC Southern Command Maj.-Gen. Dan Harel is quoted as saying that "Ashkelon [nine km. from the northernmost edge of Gaza] is already within range... It is now not a question of range, but of deterrence."

("Aksa Brigades Far From Ready to Disarm," Jerusalem Post, October 29, 2005).

October 29-30, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire Qassam rockets from Palestinian Authority (PA) controlled Gaza into the western Negev and Sderot. IDF forces return artillery fire.

("Another Night of Rocket Attacks into the Sderot Area," IsraelNationalNews, October 30, 2005; "IDF Artillery Targets Kassam Launching Site," IsraelNationalNews, October 30, 2005; "Kassam Rocket Attacks Continued During the Sabbath," IsraelNationalNews, October 29, 2005).

October 27, 2005:

The IAF targets a vehicle in northern Gaza carrying senior Islamic Jihad operarive Shaadi Mahana.

Mahana began his activity in the Islamic Jihad in the beginning of 2001 and became one of the leading operatives of the Islamic Jihad in the northern Gaza Strip.

As part of his position as the head of Islamic Jihad terror cells in the northern Gaza Strip, Mahana was active in the initiation, planning and direction of many attacks against IDF forces, including the placing and activation of explosive devices against IDF vehicles, sniping attacks and Anti-tank missiles launched against IDF forces.

Mahana's primary activity was the guidance and direction of projectile rocket fire against Israeli civilians in S'derot and other communities in the Western Negev area. Mahana personally developed the rocket launching abilities of Islamic Jihad terrorists in the northern Gaza Strip. It should be noted that Mahana continued his activities in this respect during the recent period of calm and on several occasions since the Israeli evacuation of the Gaza Strip.

("Senior Islamic Jihad Terrorist Targeted in the Northern Gaza Strip," IDF Spokesperson's Office, October 27, 2005).

October 25-26, 2005:

An IAF aircraft fires at least one missile at an open field in the northern Gaza Strip after Palestinian terrorists launch a Qassam rocket at Sderot.

Ground forces also aimed artillery fire at the area, and several sonic booms caused by IAF jets were heard in Gaza during the night.

(Nir Hasson, Arnon Regular, Jonathan Lis, "Israeli Airstrike Targets Palestinian Rocket Launchers," Ha'aretz, October 26, 2005).

October 23, 2005:

IDF forces in Tulkarem kill Luis Saadi and Maged Ashkar, two senior Islamic Jihad terrorists. Saadi was responsible for killing 12 Israelis and wounding 150 others.

Specifically, he directed the murderous attacks at the Stage Club in Tel Aviv in February of this year and outside the HaSharon Mall in Netanya three months ago.

According to IDF Ephraim Region Commander Col. Aharon Haliwa, the Islamic Jihad operatives belonged to "the most complex terror group in all of Shomron, with more Israeli blood on its hands than any other."

(Hillel Fendel, "IDF Kills Most Wanted Terrorist," IsraelNationalNews, October 24, 2005).

October 22, 2005:

Following reports that an unexploded Qassam rocket was found on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s Sycamore Farm, the Popular Resistance Front releases a message the attack was intended to strike the prime minister.

The shell found last week was reportedly an old one, with officials not stating when it was fired. It was identified near the grave of Lily Sharon, the prime minister’s late wife.

The terror organization stated that it would continue efforts to target Prime Minister Sharon in future attacks.

("Terrorists Stated Kassam Rocket was an Attempt to Hit Sharon," IsraelNationalNews, October 22, 2005).

October 22, 2005:

Five wanted Palestinian terrorists are arrested by the IDF in overnight searches in a village north of Nablus.

10kg (approximately 22 pounds) of explosives were discovered in a house where the suspects were hiding

An extensive search of the house revealed that the wife of one of the suspects had hidden a hand-grenade under the toddler she was holding in her arms.

(Efrat Weiss, "Bomb Hidden Under Toddler," YnetNews, October 22, 2005).

October 22, 2005:

GeoStratgeyDirect reports that during a week of chaos along the Egyptian-Gaza border, terrorists smuggled scores of enhanced Qassam missiles able to strike major Israeli cities.

During the week of September 12, as Israel withdrew its military from the 14-kilometer Egypt-Gaza border, hundreds of Hamas and Islamic Jihad insurgents were sent into the neighboring Sinai Peninsula. They met with Egyptian weapons smugglers in El Arish and returned with components for the long-range Kassam missiles.

"We're not talking about a few missiles," a Western intelligence source said. "We're talking about somewhere in the vicinity of at least 100 missiles."

The boxes contained advanced fuses, warhead mechanisms and engine parts to increase the Qassam missile to about 20 kilometers. As a result, Palestinians can now lob missiles at Ashkelon, which houses a naval base, civilian port and power stations.

("How Palestinians Obtained 100-Plus Extended-Range Kassam Missiles," GeostratgeyDirect, October 25, 2005).

October 21, 2005:

One PA policeman dies and another is wounded in a shootout when PA police attmempt to break up an argument in a Tulkarem coffee shop.

Palestinian terrorist factions carried out 44 kidnappings last month, according to official statistics reported by AP. It said that PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) has not tried to disarm terrorists because "he doesn't want to unleash a battle he could easily lose."

Terrorist Abu Abir told AP that nepotism in the PA is one of the reasons for the kidnappings, which often are used as ways to secure jobs. Several kidnap victims are corrupt officials whom Abbas has refused to arrest, he said, citing Moussa Arafat, the former PA security chief who was recently was murdered and whose son was kidnapped and beaten for two days before being released.

("Arab Terrorists Threaten to Kill Sharon," IsraelNationalNews, October 22, 2005).

October 16, 2005:

Israeli troops detain a 50-year-old Palestinian attempting to smuggle a mortar shell into Bir Zeit, north of Ramallah. The sources said the mortar shell and an extra firing mechanism were found in the trunk of the Palestinian's vehicle, which was halted at a military roadblock.

The IDF has determined that Palestinian insurgents are preparing to launch mortar and rocket attacks against Jerusalem.

According to Israeli military sources, Palestinian terrorists have smuggled mortars and launchers into the Palestinian suburbs around Jerusalem and note terrorist groups have already obtained an unknown supply of mortars and launchers for future operations.

"The Palestinians have exploited the easing of travel restrictions and the decrease in roadblocks in some areas."

("Palestinians Smuggle Mortars Into Jerusalem," Middle East Newsline, October 20, 2005).

October 16, 2005:

Three Israeli civilians are killed and another three Israelis are wounded in a drive-by shooting in Gush Etzion (West Bank/Judea), while a fourth Israeli is moderately to seriously wounded in a separate attack in Samaria a short time later.

The Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Authority's ruling Fatah faction, claims responsibility for both attacks.

(Amos Harel, "Three Killed in West Bank Drive-By Shootings," Ha'aretz, October 17, 2005).

October 15, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists target an Israeli vehicle between the communities of Itamar and Elon Moreh in Samaria/West Bank. There are no immediate reports of injuries.

In addition, a bomb placed inside a burning tire near Ras Karkur, southeast of Ramallah, is detected and detonated by IDF sappers.

("Shooting Attack Without Injuries," IsraelNationalNews, October 15, 2005; "Recap of Sabbath Attacks," IsraelNationalNews, October 16, 2005).

October 14, 2005:

Middle East Newsline reports Israel has determined that the added Egyptian police presence has not halted the flow of weapons and ammunition from the Sinai Peninsula to the Gaza Strip.

Israeli officials stated the military has detected a steady flow of weapons from the Sinai to the Gaza Strip and noted that boxes of weapons and components were smuggled over the 14-kilometer Egypt-Gaza border.

"It's no longer a massive flow...But it's a steady flow and much greater than what it used to be during our presence along the border."

Israel has complained several times both to Egypt and the United States of the continued weapons smuggling into the Gaza Strip, including via the Mediterranean Sea.

("Weapons Continue to Flow From Egypt," Middle East Newsline, October 14, 2005).

October 13, 2005:

A report published by the Palestinian Authority (PA) Interior Ministry notes that more residents are killed monthly in internal fighting and faction feuds than by Israeli gunfire.

According to PA statistics, during the first nine months of 2005, 218 PA residents were killed by Israeli fire. 219 were killed in internal fighting.

("PA: More Residents Killed in Internal Feuds Than by Israeli Fire," IsraelNationalNews, October 13, 2005).

October 11, 2005:

The Shin Bet (internal) security service uncovers three Hamas networks in the West Bank suspected of responsibility for a series of terror attacks over the past two months.

The security service has arrested 117 Hamas members suspected of involvement in the three networks, which the Shin Bet says are located in the Ramallah area, north of Hebron and southwest of Hebron.

Two of the terror attacks were carried out in the last few months in violation of the official commitment undertaken by Hamas in February to maintain "calm" in Judea, Samaria and Gaza.

Security forces arrested 23 members of one network believed responsible for the abduction and murder of Sasson Nuriel on September 21. The two men who kidnapped Nuriel had apparently worked in his candy factory in Mishmar Adumim.

(Amos Harel, "Shin Bet Nabs 117 Hamas Members in West Bank," Ha'aretz, October 11, 2005).

October 10, 2005:

Middle East Newsline reports that Egypt has taken control of the Palestinian Authority in the Gaza Strip.

According to PA sources, Egypt has dominated several key areas of Palestinian government, particularly in the Gaza Strip over the last few months.

They noted Egypt approves PA decisions regarding the deployment and training of Palestinian security forces, security operations and policy, development projects and senior appointments.

"They are in every facet of the [Palestinian] Authority in Gaza...It is correct to say that major decisions are not taken without Egypt's approval."

("In Wake Of Israeli Pullout, Egypt Controls PA," Middle East Newsline, October 10, 2005).

October 9, 2005:

Three Palestinians are killed and at least fifty wounded as the Palestinian Authority begins to collect weapons from terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip.

According to the Associated Press, medics in the area said the dead include a local police commander, a woman and another civilian. The violence erupted when gunmen in a car fired at Palestinian Authority officers attempted to confiscate their weapons.

A statement released by the Palestinian Authority Interior Ministry accuses Hamas of breaking an agreement between the Palestinian factions, "as well as the PA's instructions to cease carrying arms."

("Violence in Gaza as PA Collects Weapons," IsraelNationalNews, October 9, 2005).

October 8, 2005:

Israeli military intelligence chief Maj-Gen Aharon Zeevi warns that al Qaeda bases have sprung up in Sinai and Gaza and that weapons continue to flow into the Gaza Strip.

("Israeli Military Chief AMAN chief Maj-Gen Aharon Zeevi Again Warns Sharon Government that al Qaeda Bases have Sprung Up in Sinai and Gaza; Terrorist Weapons Continue to Flow into the Gaza Strip," DebkaFile, October 8, 2005).

October 8, 2005:

Leaders of terrorist organizations meet in Gaza and report a truce to stop in-fighting is signed.

The agreement includes a number of terrorist organizations and factions, including Fatah and its al-Aqsa Brigade, Hamas and its Izzadin el-Kassam faction, Islamic Jihad, Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine and other terror groups.

The groups also announce that the "armed struggle" against Israel will continue despite the internal truce aimed at ending a recent string of shooting attacks and kidnappings.

("Terror Organizations Sign a Truce," IsraelNationalNews, October 9, 2005).

October 8, 2005:

GeoStratgeyDirect reports that Ahmed Jibril has been ordered by Syria to reactivate his Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) and initiate operations aimed at destabilizing Lebanon and the Palestinian Authority.

According to western intelligence sources, Iran and Syria have cooperated in bolstering the PFLP-GC with recruits and weaponry to carry out major attacks in several Mideast states. The sources said the Syrian sponsored and Iranian-financed group would be used as an extension of Hizbullah against the new government of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora and regimes in neighboring Israel, Jordan and the PA.

("Terrorism-For-Export Returns to Lebanon, Courtesy of Syria and Iran," GeoStrategyDirect, October 11, 2005).

October 6, 2005:

Media reports indicate that Fatah has deployed its 3,000 strong "Popular Army." Over the last month, the Popular Army has clashed with Palestinians throughout the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian sources note the Popular Army has been employed by Fatah officials who also serve in the PA to help impose control over Palestinian society.

According to Palestinian legislator Khaddoura Fares, "We are on the verge of civil war if the situation remains out of control."

("Palestinian Chaos: Fatah's Popular Army on the Loose," Middle East Newsline/World Tribune, October 7, 2005).

October 5, 2005:

IDF forces patrolling the fields of kibbutz Nahal Oz (Gaza Strip border) discover part of a new Qassam missile which explodes in mid-air over its target, scattering shrapnel.

("Israeli Military Chief AMAN chief Maj-Gen Aharon Zeevi Again Warns Sharon Government that al Qaeda Bases have Sprung Up in Sinai and Gaza; Terrorist Weapons Continue to Flow into the Gaza Strip," DebkaFile, October 8, 2005).

October 3, 2005:

Approximately 40 Palestinian policemen break into the Palestinian parliament building in Gaza City, firing in the air to protest what they said was the humiliation police are facing because of attacks by Hamas militants.

No injuries are reported.

"Yesterday, we did not have enough bullets," said one of the protesting policemen. "We had nothing to protect ourselves.

"Give us as least bullets to protect people and to protect our stations," he said. "Our commander died in front of us, and we were running out of bullets."

"We want the Palestinian Authority to take a stand on Hamas. Our blood is flowing for the Authority and they are not doing anything," one officer dressed in black told Reuters.

(Arnon Regular, "PA Police Break into Parliament, Firing into Air - Abbas Must Form a New Government within Two Weeks," Ha'aretz, October 3, 2005).

October 2, 2005:

One policeman and two civilians are killed and at least 50 people are wounded during clashes between Palestinian police and Hamas operatives in the Gaza Strip.

In a separate incident, a driver is killed after he attacks a Palestinian policeman during a violent Hamas demonstration in Gaza City held to protest soaring gas prices.

The main clashes, which also took place in Gaza City, erupt after a police patrol operating in the Sheikh Redwan neighborhood stops a car containing four armed Hamas operatives and attempts to confiscate their weapons.

(Arnon Regular, "Three Dead as Hamas Members and PA Forces Clash in Gaza," Ha'aretz, October 3, 2005).

October 2, 2005:

IDF forces operating in the Hebron area (Beit Kachil) seize a Kalashnikov rifle and a 9mm handgun.

In addition, a Palestinian terrorist attempts to stab an IDF soldier near Beit Fouriq in Samaria. The soldier opens fire, wounding his attacker.

("Weapons Uncovered in Beit Kachil," IsraelNationalNews, October 2, 2005; "Soldier Uninjured in Stabbing Attack," IsraelNationalNews, October 2, 2005).

October 1, 2005:

Middle East Newsline reports that the Bush administration is bracing for a Hamas takeover of the PA. They note that the State Department has briefed Arab and Western allies of the prospect that Hamas will dominate either the Palestinian government or PA areas by mid-2006.

According to Anthony Cordesman, a senior researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, "There is a very serious risk that unless we make much more progress on the peace process than I now think is likely, that regardless of Hamas we may see the Islamists take over there...And while they're not Islamist extremists of the kind [Al Qaida chief Osama] Bin Laden is, the broader this alliance is the more dangerous it is."

Officials note that the Bush administration has determined that PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas would be unable to stop Hamas's bid for power.

Administration officials also note that Abbas has lost control and failed to reform the economy, government or security forces.

("U.S. Envisions Hamas Takeover of PA," Middle East Newsline, October 1, 2005).