During the last few months an increasing number of "brigades" have appeared in Judea and Samaria, military-terrorist networks calling themselves al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades (AAMB). Although the AAMB are usually affiliated with Fatah, today it is the generic name for armed squads of Palestinian terrorists, most of which operate independently and have neither a central leadership nor an established structural hierarchy. Fatah and the PA are ambivalent, publicly claiming to promote the so-called "unarmed popular resistance," while the AAMB publicly promote armed "resistance" [terrorist attacks] and a "military option”.
During the past two weeks tensions remained high in Judea and Samaria. Nine terrorist attacks were carried out. Tensions have been exacerbated by the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestinian terrorist organizations, led by Hamas, because Jews entered the Temple Mount compound to pray during the High Holidays . The Israeli security forces continued their counterterrorism activities. Four armed Palestinians were killed in Jenin. The Palestinians accused Israel of causing the death of a seven year-old boy who was found dead after soldiers interrogated his father.Mahmoud Abbas gave his annual speech at the UN General Assembly. In the speech did not deviate from those of years past.