The number of Palestinian operations against Israel in 2020 has decreased, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, revealed a report published this week by the Israeli General Security Service (Shin Bet).
However, the security agency said it fears that 2021 would see a noticeable increase in security tension in the Palestinian territories, particularly during the upcoming Palestinian elections.
The report showed that in the past year, 430 significant terror attacks were foiled in the Judea and Samaria area and in Jerusalem.
By comparison, 563 attacks were thwarted in 2019, 581 in 2018 and 418 in 2017.
The report also revealed that the Shin Bet prevented 283 shootings, 70 stabbings, 10 ramming attacks, 62 bomb attacks and five planned kidnappings in 2020.
It said 56 “terror” attacks were carried out in Judea and Samaria and Jerusalem in 2020, compared with 59 in 2019, 67 in 2018, 63 in 2017 and 119 in 2016.
In the past year, three Israelis have been killed in Palestinian “terror” attacks and 46 Israelis have been wounded. In 2019, ten people were killed and 66 wounded, in 2018 16 people were killed and 83 wounded, in 2017 18 people were killed and 153 wounded, and in 2016 17 people were killed and 177 wounded.
The security agency assumed that the decrease of operations is mainly due to Palestinian preoccupation in fighting the pandemic, describing 2020 as a “calm” year.
The report also included information released by the Israeli Military Prosecutors showing a similar decrease in the number of indictments issued against Palestinians, at 1,400 in 2020 compared to 3,290 in 2019.
It said that tension in 2021 could increase, particularly during the planned Palestinian general election, scheduled for May 22 and presidential election set for July 31.