Spotlight on Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (September 2 – 9, 2025)

The IDF

IDF forces continued aerial and ground activity against Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist targets throughout the Gaza Strip in preparation for the takeover of Gaza City. The attacks targeted high-rise buildings used by Hamas for military-terrorist purposes, including intelligence collection using cameras, observation war rooms, sniper and anti-tank positions, and command and control complexes. Reportedly, near the buildings there was an underground facility enabling terrorists to ambush IDF forces and escape. The IDF emphasized that steps were taken to reduce harm to civilians, including warning Gazans not to remain in buildings and areas Hamas used for terrorism, observations, collecting intelligence and storing its munitions. Among the terrorist operatives eliminated were Nur al-Din Dabbash (September 1, 2025), an operative in the finance department of Hamas’ military-terrorist wing who collected tens of millions of dollars for the purchase of weapons and for military-terrorist activity; and Musabih Salim Musabih Dayya (September 3, 2025), head of the terrorist Mujahideen Battalions in the Gaza Strip, the organization’s fourth commander after his three predecessors were eliminated in recent months. An IDF officer and three fighters were killed in an explosive device attack on a tank in Gaza City (IDF spokesperson, September 2-3, 2025).
The spokesperson of the Gazan civil defense directorate announced that the IDF had bombed and destroyed more than 50 buildings and partially damaged about 100, including civilian high-rise buildings. He also claimed that more than 200 tents of displaced persons were destroyed and accused Israel of a policy of forced displacement (Mahmoud Bassal’s Telegram channel, September 7, 2025).

Attack in Burj Mashtaha (Telegram channel of journalist Isma’il Abu Omar, September 5, 2025)

   
Evacuation notices posted on the al-Ru’iyah Building (right); and the al-Susi Tower (left), both marked in red (IDF spokesperson in Arabic, September 6, 2025)

The Hamas government media information office condemned the IDF attacks in Gaza City, allegedly numbering 51,544 buildings [sic], structures and residential high rise buildings. Hamas denied the presence of “military” activity or facilities inside the buildings, claiming it did not operate from them (Hamas government media information office Telegram channel, September 6, 2025). Hamas also condemned the attacks, claiming they violated international law and were “a crime against humanity,” adding that the Israeli declarations about the bombings exposed a policy of “displacement” under fire and the use of civilians as hostages to impose its conditions [sic] (Hamas Telegram channel, September 5-6, 2025).
Izzat al-Rishq, member of the Hamas political bureau, claimed that Israel’s attempts to justify the attacks on the buildings and the destruction of Gaza City on the pretext that Hamas operated from them were false and flimsy excuses (Hamas Telegram channel, September 5, 2025). The PIJ also condemned bombings and claimed they were “war crimes” (PIJ media information office Telegram channel, September 5, 2025).
The Mujahideen Battalions confirmed the death of al-Dayya Abu Salim, reportedly a member of the supreme military council, who was killed with his wife in an Israeli attack. According to the statement, he had a long history of activity in the organization and his son Salim, a field commander, was killed earlier. According to reports, Abu Salim had been wounded and survived previous assassination attempts (Mujahideen Battalions Telegram channel, September 3, 2025).

Mourning notice for al-Dayya Abu Salim (Mujahideen Battalions Telegram channel, September 3, 2025)

The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, the military-terrorist wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), announced the death Daoud Ahmed Abbas Khalaf (aka Abu al-Majd), who was killed on September 4, 2025 in the central Gaza Strip in a clash with an Israeli force attempting to detain him. He born in the al-Bureij refugee camp, was a commander in the fighting n Rafah and Khan Yunis, and also participated in Operation Guardian of the Walls and Operation Shield and Arrow (Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades Telegram channel, September 4, 2025). The PFLP mourning notice claimed he was a commander in the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigade general staff (PFLP website, September 4, 2025).
According to reports, on September 4, 2025, Mahmoud Mahdi Afana from the Jabalia refugee camp, an Izz al-Din Brigades’ terrorist operative, was killed in attack on Deir al-Balah. He was the terrorist who called his parents on October 7, 2023 and proudly announced that he had killed ten Israelis (Sanad website X account, September 4, 2025; Sons of the Jabalia refugee camp Facebook page, September 4, 2025; Qassamiya Updates Telegram channel, September 5, 2025).
The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades announced the death of Mamduh Awni Isma’il Bakr (Abu Sajid), an operations staff commander in the military-terrorist wing who was killed on September 4 in an accident. Born in Gaza City in 1988, he participated in Operation Protective Edge, Operation Guardian of the Walls and Operation Shield and Arrow. During the Gaza Strip War he was responsible for the military-terrorist wing’s military activity in Gaza district (Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades Telegram channel, September 5, 2025).
Al-Qassam Brigades commander Mua’man Fathi Farhat (Abu al-Qassam) was eliminated In the attack on the al-Farabi School, located near the al-Yarmouk Stadium in Gaza City, (Facebook page of his brother-in-law Mahmoud Muhisan, September 7, 2025; Qassamiya Updates Telegram channel, September 7, 2025). He was the fifth in the family, after four brothers, to be eliminated by Israel in recent years (Telegram channel of journalist Ayman Handik, September 7, 2025).

Mua’man Farhat (Qassamiya Updates Telegram channel, September 7, 2025)

Reportedly there has been an increase in the number of attempts to kill released Palestinian prisoners, especially those who carried out lethal operations or were released in exchange deals. They were reportedly at the top of Israel’s “target bank” and had to increase security, avoid using mobile phones and all unnecessary communication channels, change their daily routines and routes, and avoid open meetings (al-Akhres Telegram channel, September 3, 2025).

Rocket Fire

On September 7, 2025, two rockets were fired at Israel from the central Gaza Strip. One was intercepted and the other fell in an open area (IDF spokesperson, September 7, 2025). The PIJ’s military-terrorist wing claimed responsibility for firing two rockets at Netivot in response to IDF activity (Jerusalem Brigades Telegram channel, September 7, 2025).

Hamas Leaders Abroad Fear for Their Lives

Palestinian sources reported that recently leaders of the Palestinian terrorist organizations living abroad, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad figures in Cairo, were taking strict security measures following Israeli threats. Security measures were tightened after the statement made by Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who declared that Israel would reach Hamas leaders outside Gaza. An Egyptian source reported that Cairo warned Israel not to attack PIJ secretary general Ziyad al-Nakhalah, who has lived in Cairo almost permanently after the increase in threats from Israel to attack him, adding that Cairo had recently received a request to provide al-Nakhalah with a kind of permanent residency. Meanwhile, a Hamas source reported that Turkey had taken strict security measures for several senior movement figures and released prisoners. In Doha, Qatar, the terrorist organizations’ “external” leaders have been under strict security since October 7, 2023, measures which were recently increased. It was also reported that the terrorist organizations’ leadership had fled outside the country for security and operational reasons, and some Hamas figures had left Lebanon because of Israel’s “violations” of the ceasefire (al-Araby al-Jadeed, September 3, 2025).

On September 5, 2025, Hamas published a video taken on August 28, 2025 of Israeli hostage Guy Gilboa Dalal being driven through the streets of Gaza, with the sounds of explosions in the background. Dalal said there were more than eight other hostages in Gaza City and they would all die if the IDF attacked the city. He was joined by hostage Alon Ahel (Hamas Telegram channel, September 5, 2025). Reportedly, the Izz al-Din Brigades had transferred Guy Gilboa Dalal from the central Gaza Strip to the north, keeping their promise that the hostages would not live if the IDF invaded Gaza City (Telegram channel al-Siyad Telegram channel, September 5, 2025).
On September 3, 2025, Hamas reported that it was still waiting for Israel’s response to the mediators’ proposal of August 18, 2025, which had been approved by the movement and the other Palestinian terrorist organizations. Hamas claimed it was prepared for a comprehensive deal to release all Israelis held by the “resistance”[1] in exchange for its familiar and often reiterated conditions. Hamas renewed its agreement to the establishment of an independent national administration of technocrats to manage the affairs of the Strip, which would assume responsibility in all areas immediately (Hamas Telegram channel, September 3, 2025).
The President of the United States used the media and social networks to announce that his latest proposal to end the war included the release of all 48 Israeli hostages, both alive and dead, on the first day of the deal, along with the release of hundreds of Palestinian murderers and thousands of detainees. Israel would stop its operation to take control of Gaza City and negotiations to end the war would begin immediately under the president’s personal management. As long as the negotiations continued the fighting would not resume. The president added that the United States was negotiating with Hamas and if the hostages were released according to his proposal “good things would happen to Hamas,” and if they did not respond positively, the situation would be “difficult.” Reportedly, 20 hostages remained alive and there were more than 30 bodies (X account of Israeli journalist Barak Ravid, September 6, 2025; Israeli TV Channel 13 website, September 6, 2025).
Hamas and the other terrorist organizations involved responded to the proposal of the American president:

Izzat al-Rishq, member of the Hamas political bureau, said that on August 18, 2025 Hamas had agreed to the mediators’ outline, based on the Witkoff proposal, but Netanyahu had not yet responded. Hamas also claimed it was ready for a comprehensive deal in which all hostages would be released in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners. Al-Rishq claimed that Netanyahu was subverting the exchange and ceasefire deals, and wanted to continue the war endlessly (Hamas Telegram channel, September 4, 2025).
Hamas figure Osama Hamdan claimed that what the American president said about ending the war by releasing the Israeli hostages was “just an idea, not a proposal,” while Hamas wanted a clear political proposal and practical steps to end the war. He said Hamas would take any proposal very seriously if it met the Palestinians’ demands (Aljazeera.net, September 4, 2025).
On September 4, 2025, American-Palestinian businessman Beshara Bahbah, serving as a mediator in the negotiations for the release of the Israeli hostages, reported that a six-hour meeting had been held in Washington to discuss the war in Gaza, where it had been decided to put one final proposal on the table for the release of all hostages in exchange for ending the war. He said he had contacted Hamas and they hesitated because they did not know if the talks were official. According to Bahbah, Hamas agreed to a comprehensive deal for handing over all hostages if all of its previously reiterated conditions were met. He added that he believed the war could be ended within two weeks “if there was a real intention for it” (al-Arabiya website, September 4, 2025).
Hamas announced that it reiterated its commitment and adherence to the agreement that it had declared together with the Palestinian “factions” on the August 18, 2025 ceasefire proposal, claiming its openness to any idea or proposal through which its conditions would be met through serious negotiations via the mediators (Hamas in Judea and Samaria Telegram channel, September 6, 2025).
Basem Na’im, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, said they expected a clear “roadmap to end the war,” and not further backing for Netanyahu to continue the war as, he claimed, had happened on previous occasions (Palestine Online X account, September 7, 2025).
A Hamas delegation led by Zaher Jabarin, the head of Hamas in Judea and Samaria, and including Husam Badran, Kamal Abu Aoun, Ghazi Hamad and Mahmoud Mardawi, arrived in Cairo without prior notice. They had been invited by Egyptian General Intelligence to discuss the points raised by American envoy Steve Witkoff regarding a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal (al-Araby al-Jadeed, September 6, 2025; Hamas Telegram channel, September 7, 2025).
The Israeli media reported that the American president had conveyed a proposal to Hamas for a comprehensive deal and Israel accepted its terms (Israeli media, September 7, 2025).
Hamas announced that the mediators had brought proposals from the United States for a ceasefire agreement and claimed it was prepared to sit at the negotiating table to discuss a deal for all its conditions and the establishment of a committee of independent Palestinians that would take responsibility for the administration of the Strip immediately. Hamas said any agreement had to include an explicit Israeli public commitment to implement the conditions, in order to prevent a repeat of previous cases in which understandings were violated, including the last agreement that it had approved in Cairo on August 18, 2025, but was not implemented (Hamas Telegram channel, September 7, 2025).
Following Hamas’ response, the president of the United States warned Hamas there would be consequences if it did not approve the conditions he had set for the release of the hostages. He said Israel had already agreed to his proposals, and now it was Hamas’ turn, adding that there was broad agreement and desire for the return of the hostages and the end of the war in Gaza (Aljazeera Mubasher, September 7, 2025).
A source familiar with the negotiations reported that the prime minister and foreign minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, urged the Hamas leadership to respond positively to the latest American proposal (Telegram channel of Asma Kahlout, September 8, 2025).
Hamas figure Mahmoud Mardawi accused Netanyahu of evading and sabotaging every initiative to end the war, adding that the existing proposals did not guarantee a ceasefire, did not protect the Palestinian people and did not include a withdrawal from Gaza. He claimed that every day the weapons of the “resistance” prevented the advance of the IDF tanks that were destroying houses in the Strip (Al Jazeera Mubasher, September 8, 2025).

The Situation in the Gaza Strip

Isma’il al-Thawabta, the director general of the Hamas government media information office, reported the rapid spread of a new strain of influenza among displaced persons living in tents, most likely caused by overcrowding, lack of water and ventilation. He claimed the number of infected was “estimated in the thousands,” especially among children, the elderly and people with medical histories. He also reported that hospitals were struggling to treat the sick because of shortages of manpower and equipment, and treatment was limited to primary medicine and symptomatic relief (Telegram channel of journalist Ismail Abu Omar, September 4, 2025).
The ministry of health in Gaza called on the king of Jordan to intervene and reopen the Jordanian field hospital in Gaza City. According to the ministry, the hospital had not admitted patients for several months despite the urgent need for every hospital bed, especially in light of the challenges facing the health sector in general and the Gaza district in particular. The ministry also noted the importance of operating the Jordanian field hospital in Khan Yunis, which had been reduced to only 17 beds, while about 1,000 cases were being treated just a few meters away at the Nasser Medical Complex (ministry of health in Gaza Telegram channel, September 7, 2025).
Dr. Munir al-Barsh, director general of the ministry of health in Gaza, told Al Jazeera TV that doctors and medical teams in all the hospitals in Gaza City would not leave their workplaces and would stay with the patients in intensive care. He claimed there were more than 200 patients in intensive care who needed ventilators and could not be evacuated, if they were they would die. He said there was a shortage of resources and medicines, to the extent that doctors were unable to perform surgeries (Aljazeera.net, September 7, 2025).

Hamas Governance

“Resistance security” claimed the IDF was directing displaced persons and concentrations of civilians to certain points in order to exploit the situation for assassinations, arrests and security traps, and therefore they called on “resistance” operatives and those around them not to respond to evacuation calls, for fear of [alleged] direct danger to their lives and security (al-Akhres Telegram channel, September 2, 2025).
Hamas’ Sahm (Arrow) Unit warned Gazans not to fall prey to the “gang” of Yasser Abu Shabab, linked to Israel (“the occupation”), stating that Abu Shabab’s men, who were [allegedly] criminals, lured civilians with job offers, salaries and family insurance, and exploited economic hardship to “tempt” women and girls and then blackmail them. They called on the public to exercise caution, reject suspicious offers and report to the security bodies (Sahm Unit 103 Telegram channel, September 3, 2025).
The Khan Yunis investigation department arrested 10 money changers who charged high commissions in Khan Yunis and punished them immediately (Sahm Unit 103 Telegram channel, September 3, 2025).
Hamas security officials warned merchants selling tents in the al-Aqsa Square area not to raise prices since all shops and merchants in the area were under close supervision, and if the prices were not returned to their previous levels, immediate legal measures would be taken, including confiscation of goods and their distribution to the public and confiscation of funds (Amsak Amil Facebook page, September 5, 2025).
A senior figure in “resistance security” reported that the “resistance” and its security forces were planning to execute collaborators with Israel in Gaza City with the objective of paralyzing military intelligence capabilities in the combat arena (al-Majd al-Amani website Telegram channel, September 4, 2025). A senior “resistance security” figue reported that they had executed six “collaborators” in Gaza City (Telegram channel of the al-Majd al-Amani website,3 September 7, 2025). It was also reported that a man in the al-Nuseirat refugee camp was exposed as an Israeli agent and was executed on the spot (Sahm Unit 103 Telegram channel, September 8, 2025).

International Hamas Activity

Taher al-Nunu, communications advisor to the head of Hamas’ political bureau, reported that the movement leadership had increased regional and international contacts in order to stop the war and increase aid to Gaza. He said the chairman of Hamas’ leadership council was in contact with leaders, politicians and parties worldwide to confront them with their historical responsibility, and Hamas’ inter-Arab and Islamic relations and international relations offices continued to send memos to ambassadors and senior officials around the globe about the [alleged] “crimes of the occupation” and developments in the indirect negotiations (Shehab News Agency, September 3, 2025).
Hamas reported that a delegation headed by Khalil al-Hayya met in Doha with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. They discussed the situation in Gaza and its consequences, the dangers threatening the Palestinian issue, such as annexation of the West Bank and the “division of al-Aqsa,” and the diplomatic efforts of Egypt and Qatar for ending the fighting. They also discussed the “Israeli attack in Iran in June” [the Israel-Iran War] and its regional implications. Araghchi reiterated Iran’s support for the Palestinians and called Israel “the enemy of the [Muslim] nation” (Hamas Telegram channel, September 4, 2025).

The Hamas delegation meets in Doha with the Iranian foreign minister (Mehr News Agency, September 4, 2025)

Hamas welcomed the Spanish government ban on arms exports to Israel and the closure of its seaports to ships transferring equipment and weapons, calling it an important political, “moral” step in the international effort to stop the war in Gaza. Hamas called on other countries to take similar action, and to increase political, economic and legal pressure on Israel (Hamas Telegram channel, September 8, 2025).

Humanitarian Aid

As part of increased IDF maneuvers in Gaza City and the takeover of Hamas strongholds, the IDF spokesperson announced the establishment of a designated humanitarian zone in Khan Yunis in the southern Strip. The zone would include field hospitals, water lines and desalination facilities, and be connected to a continual supply of food, tents, medicines and medical equipment. The IDF spokesperson reported that the activity was being carried out in coordination with the international community, the UN and other international organizations, alongside expansion of the maneuver (IDF spokesperson, September 6, 2025).

    
The humanitarian zone and response in the southern Strip (IDF spokesperson, September 6, 2025)

Avichay Adraee, IDF spokesperson in Arabic, published a video targeting the residents of Gaza City in which he reported that the IDF had launched an operation to eliminate Hamas in the city. He said the residents were asked to evacuate the city via Rashid Street (the coastal road) quickly and in vehicles without inspection while recommending they not to listen Hamas men who were preventing the evacuation, but rather to take advantage of the opportunity to move to the humanitarian area (Telegram channel of Avichay Adraee, September 6, 2025).

The Situation, continued

The ministry of interior and national security in Gaza claimed that Israel was destroying buildings and residences in Gaza City as part of a plan to uproot the residents. The ministry warned of the “fraud” of the humanitarian zone in the southern Strip, which it claimed had been bombed regularly for two years, and called on residents to stay in their homes or to move to a place nearby where they felt safe. It was also reported that complying with the evacuation instructions helped implement the “expulsion plans” of about 1.2 million residents from Gaza and the northern Strip (Gazan ministry of interior Telegram channel, September 6, 2025).
Gazans claimed on social networks that there was no room in Mawasi and it had no security, water, fuel or infrastructure, the cost of living was high and there were shortages of basic goods. Others noted that they needed funding for transportation and tents, either that or the crossings had to be opened for migration. Some Gazans requested the humanitarian areas be expanded to the northern Strip or that they be allowed to return to their homes (from the Facebook page of the Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, September 6, 2025).
Mohammed Ali al-Saqour, director of the Jordanian field hospital in Gaza, said the team would stay in Gaza despite the challenges, as directed by the Jordanian leadership. He said the medical team was working 24 hours a day and continued to treat the sick and wounded, and the hospital doors were open to all those in need and all resources were dedicated to the patients (Shehab News Agency, September 3, 2025).
According to reports, dozens of families which had recently been displaced from Gaza City returned and set up tents on the beach, not having found places to live in the south. According to data from the Hamas government media information office, 300,000 Gazans were currently in the northern Gaza Strip, most in western Gaza. There were about 700,000 people in Gaza City, among them more than 200,000 who had been displaced from eastern Gaza City to the center and west of the city. According to unofficial estimates, only about 30,000 people had been displaced from the city in recent days (Shehab website, September 4, 2025).

International Activity against the “Siege” of the Gaza Strip

The organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla announced that “due to logistical circumstances,” the flotilla from Tunisia had been postponed to a new date which would be announced soon. The flotilla from Tunisia was supposed to join the ships which had already sailed from the port of Barcelona, which could delay the arrival of the flotilla to Gaza (Global Movement to Gaza Tunisia X account, September 4, 2025). The flotilla organizers later announced the flotilla’s departure would be postponed from September 7 to September 10, 2025, for technical and logistical reasons (Maghreb Fleet to Break the Siege on Gaza Telegram channel, September 6, 2025). Later it was reported that the ships which had sailed from Spain as part of the flotilla began arriving in Tunisia on September 7 in preparation for resuming the voyage on September 10 (Anatolia News Agency, September 7, 2025).
According to flotilla activists, one of the ships was attacked on September 8, 2025, as a result of which a fire broke out on the ship; it was extinguished and there were no casualties. The activists declared that they would continue (flotilla Instagram account, September 9, 2025). A spokesperson for the Tunisian National Guard reported that the claim of an attack was baseless and the initial investigations indicated that the fire on board was caused by a life jacket that caught fire (Aljazeera Mubasher, September 9, 2025).

Egypt strongly condemned the statement made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the migration of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip through Rafah, adding that any displacement, forced or “voluntary,” was a blatant violation of humanitarian law. The Egyptian foreign ministry called it “a red line that could not be crossed,” adding that Egypt would not be a partner in eliminating the Palestinian issue or in turning Rafah into a gateway for displacement (al-Qahera News, September 5, 2025). The Jordanian foreign ministry also condemned the statement and called it a violation of international law. Fouad al-Majali, spokesperson for the ministry, said Jordan rejected measures and discourse intended to impose a situation by force, adding that displacement was a war crime that Jordan would confront “with all its capabilities” (Jordan News Agency, September 6, 2025). The Qatari foreign ministry also condemned the statement and reported that “the occupation’s” policy would not force the Palestinians to leave their land (Qatari foreign ministry X account, September 6, 2025).
The government of South Sudan denied reports of an agreement with Israel to settle Palestinians in its territory. Philip Jada Natana, director general for bilateral relations, admitted that a memorandum of understanding had been signed with Israel, but it focused on cooperation in the fields of agriculture, investment and mining, and they had not discussed settling Palestinians in South Sudan (African Perceptions website, September 4, 2025).

Terrorist Attacks
Shooting at the Ramot Junction in Jerusalem

On the afternoon of September 8, 2025, two Palestinian terrorists armed with a Carlo-type weapon and a pistol shot at Israeli civilians waiting at a bus stop and traveling on a bus the Ramot junction. Six civilians were killed in the attack and 38 were wounded, five of them seriously. The terrorists, Muthana Omar, 20 years old, from Qabiba, and Muhammad Taha, 21 years old, from Qatana, were eliminated by civilians who were at the scene (Israeli media, September 8, 2025).
Hamas welcomed the attack and represented it as a “natural response” to Israel’s “crimes” against the Palestinian people. Hamas said that the operation sent the message that Israel’s actions in Gaza and at al-Aqsa Mosque would not go unpunished. Hamas claimed that the attack in the heart of Jerusalem was a blow to Israeli security and proved the commitment of the youth and the “resistance” to continue the “struggle,” and called for escalating confrontations in the West Bank against the army and settlers, in “defense” of the Palestinian people (Hamas in Judea and Samaria Telegram channel, September 8, 2025).
The Izz al-Din Brigades, Hamas’ military-terrorist wing, claimed responsibility for the shooting and reported that the two terrorists who carried out the attack, Muthana Naji Omar and Muhammad Bassam Taha, were operatives in its ranks (Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades Telegram channel , September 9, 2025).
The overwhelming majority of Palestinian responses to the attack expressed joy and support for the attack, with calls of “Allahu Akbar” and prayers for victory. Many requested “more and more,” called for an awakening in Judea and Samaria and for street confrontations, with wishes for revenge against Israelis. The motifs of “justice” and revenge were prominent in the responses, as were expressions of pride in the “fighters,” and prayers for their protection, alongside mockery of Israel. Some of the responses made fun of Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority leadership (Ramallah News Facebook page, 3.8 million followers, September 8, 2025).
The Palestinian “presidency” condemned harm to civilians, Palestinians and Israelis alike, and any form of violence and terrorism from any side. Its statement said that security and stability would not be achieved without the end of the “occupation,” the cessation of the “killing” in Gaza and of settler terrorism in the West Bank and Jerusalem. It was stated that the way to end the cycle of violence was by realizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people in an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, alongside peace and security for all parties (Wafa, September 8, 2025).
Palestinian sources reported that since the attack, IDF forces had imposed a tight closure on about 70,000 Palestinians living in villages in the area, including Qatana, Qabiba, Biddu, Beit Surik and Beit Ijza. That was accompanied by severe restrictions at the entrances to Jerusalem and Ramallah, and detentions among the families of the perpetrators of the attack. Concern was also reported in light of the defense minister’s directive ordering the imposition of sanctions on the villages of the perpetrators of the attack, including demolition of structures without permits, cancellation of permits to work in Israel, and issuing expulsion orders to Muslim activists from al-Aqsa Mosque for a period of one week (Radio Alam, September 9, 2025).

Counterterrorism Activity

The Israeli security forces continued counterterrorism activity in various areas of Judea and Samaria during which they detained about 70 wanted persons and terrorists, and confiscated 19 weapons. A Hamas terrorist operative who planned a bombing attack against civilians was detained in the village of Sida, several terrorist operatives were detained in Qabatiya and an improvised explosive device was destroyed. Several suspects were detained in Silwad, Hizma and Ein Qiniya and incitement materials and weapons were confiscated (IDF spokesperson, September 2-9, 2025).

Some of the weapons confiscated in Judea and Samaria (IDF spokesperson, September 5, 2025).

Security forces operating In Hebron eliminated a Hamas cell operating under the guidance of Hamas headquarters in Turkey and planning to assassinate the minister of national security, Itamar Ben Gvir, using explosive drones. The investigation revealed that the cell had purchased several drones and intended to mount explosives on them. The drones were seized at the time of the detention (Israeli Security Agency spokesperson’s unit, September 3, 2025).
A wanted Palestinian involved in a terrorist organization was detained in the Balata refugee camp in Nablus. During the detention a terrorist threw cinder blocks at the forces from the roof of a nearby building; he was shot and killed (IDF spokesperson, September 3, 2025).
A Palestinian went to a military checkpoint near the settlement of Burin in Samaria and threw a suspicious object at IDF forces operating in the area; he was eliminated (IDF spokesperson, September 5, 2025). Shortly after the incident, the general authority for civil affairs reported that he was Ahmed Abd al-Fattah Shahada, 57 years old, from the village of Urif (ministry of health in Ramallah Facebook page, September 5, 2025).
IDF forces operated in villages in the Sanur Valley area, including the al-Faraa refugee camp and Qabatiya. During the operation a terrorist operative was detained and terrorist funds totaling tens of thousands of shekels as well as weapons were located and confiscated (IDF spokesperson, September 8, 2025).
In Beit Awa IDF forces demolished the house of Thabet Muhammad Masalmeh, one of the terrorists who carried out the shooting at the al-Khader Junction on December 11, 2024, murdering an Israeli civilian and wounding three others (IDF spokesperson, September 9, 2025).

International Activity

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said France’s recognition of a Palestinian state damaged the negotiations and caused the Hamas delegation to withdraw from them and harden its demands. He added that the focus now had to be on ending the war in Gaza, defeating and disarming Hamas, and that would be possible “tomorrow” if Hamas disarmed, surrendered and released the hostages. He also criticized the Palestinian Authority for payments to terrorists and said that the discussion on the West Bank “was not final” (United States State Department X account , September 4, 2025).
On September 7, 2025, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with Jibril Rajoub, secretary of the Fatah central committee, to discuss developments in Judea, Samaria and Gaza Strip. They also discussed ways to mobilize international support for the recognition of a Palestinian state. Abdelatty noted Egypt’s efforts to end the war in Gaza and said Egypt opposed Israel’s military actions in the Strip and the plans to displace Palestinians from their lands. He said Israel had to accept the ceasefire proposal presented by the mediators on the basis of Steve Witkoff’s proposal. He also condemned “Israel’s settlement plans in the E1 area” (Egyptian foreign ministry Facebook page, September 7, 2025).
Mahmoud al-Habbash, religious affairs advisor to Mahmoud Abbas and the Qadi of “Palestine,” delivered a letter to the prime minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, at a meeting held in Islamabad. The letter dealt with developments in “Palestine” and the efforts of the Palestinian leadership to stop “the aggression.” Al-Habbash thanked Pakistan for its historic and humanitarian support and conveyed condolences for the flood victims. The Pakistani minister confirmed continued full support for the rights of the Palestinian people in all forums, continued aid shipments to Gaza, and sent greetings and unwavering support to Mahmoud Abbas (Wafa, September 5, 2025).
Muhammad Shtayyeh, a member of the Fatah central committee, met in Brussels with European officials. He said recognition of the “State of Palestine” was a right of self-determination and not “punishment” for Israel. He called on the European Union to lead steps to end the “occupation,” to support a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with east Jerusalem as its capital and to impose sanctions on Israel for its “crimes.” In his meetings with Europeans he noted the need for urgent action to end the war and support Palestinian institutions, and reported that the two-state solution was the only path to a stable peace (Wafa, September 5, 2025).
PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas met in London with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Mahmoud Abbas thanked Britain for its efforts to promote peace, a ceasefire and the delivery of aid to Gaza. He condemned the settlements and settler violence, and welcomed Britain’s decision to recognize the “State of Palestine.” He said the PA supported an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and prisoners, full Israeli withdrawal and the reconstruction of the Strip, and claimed Gaza was an inseparable part of “Palestine.” He briefed Starmer on internal reforms, changing the payment system for families of prisoners and shaheeds, preparations for elections and a commitment to a peaceful and unarmed Palestinian state. Starmer noted the need for an immediate ceasefire, the release of the hostages, increased aid and the two-state solution as the basis for peace and stability (Wafa, September 8-9, 2025). Before the meeting, Mahmoud Abbas met with a delegation from the Palestinian community in Britain, and with a delegation of British doctors who had been in Gaza during the war. The doctors told him about their difficult experiences and about the needs of the health system in Gaza. Abbas thanked them for their humanitarian work on behalf of the Palestinian people and said he would grant them “official State of Palestine decorations” in appreciation (Palestinian National Guard Facebook page, September 8, 2025).

[1] Palestinian terrorist organizations operating in the Gaza Strip.

[2] Terrorist organizations.

[3] A Hamas-affiliated website representing itself as “specializing in increased security awareness.”

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