After weeks of repeated outbreaks of violence with numerous deaths, Israel and the Palestinian Authority want to find ways to end the escalation. Both sides agreed on a mechanism to curb the violence during negotiations in Egypt on Sunday. It is scheduled to take effect this week at the beginning of the month of Ramadan, holy for Muslims.
A statement said both Israelis and Palestinians must prevent any actions that would disturb the peace of the holy sites in Jerusalem during Ramadan. Both sides reiterated the need for de-escalation and confirmed commitments made back in February. These include Israel’s pledge to refrain from considering new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank for four months and to suspend approval of existing Jewish settler outposts for six months.
Representatives of the USA, Egypt and Jordan also took part in the negotiations. The Palestinian Authority rules only part of the Palestinian territories. The radical Islamic group Hamas is in charge of the Gaza Strip. In addition, groups of militants act independently of the Palestinian Authority.
In the West Bank, which the Palestinians claim for the formation of their own state, violent clashes between Palestinians, Jewish settlers and Israeli security forces have increased in recent months. Police and army raids almost every day. Palestinians have repeatedly attacked settlers, soldiers and other Israelis.
Israeli family attacked in Huwara
An Israeli was seriously injured in a suspected Palestinian attack in the West Bank on Sunday. The Magen David Adom emergency services said his wife was in shock. According to the army, the family’s vehicle was shot at in the small town of Huwara.
Israeli media reported that three children were also in the car. The attacker fired around 20 shots at the car. Israeli security forces were able to locate and incapacitate the suspect after a brief pursuit.
The gun attack happened not far from where two Israeli brothers were killed in an attack by a Palestinian last month. Then there were serious riots by Israeli settlers, who set houses, shops and cars on fire.