IDF warns of rising tensions in the West Bank
In Israel, security agencies reported a low level of terrorist activity in the West Bank while warning of heightened tensions and the risk of escalation ahead of the holidays. According to the Jerusalem Post, security officials assess that this level is the lowest since 2011.
Preventive operations
The Israeli side attributes the low level of activity to joint actions by the Judea and Samaria Division, Israel's Shin Bet General Security Service, the police and the Border Police. Ahead of the holidays, the division conducted large-scale preventive operations targeting not only suspects in terrorist activity but also centers of incitement.
According to the IDF, over the past week Israeli forces killed five people in various incidents whom the Israeli side described as terrorists. Security officials also said that the army has broad freedom of action in the region after taking control of refugee camps, establishing a presence there and creating infrastructure for rapid operations.
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Weapons and possible scenarios
At the same time, security officials are recording an increase in clashes on the ground. They link this trend, among other things, to the growing number of settlements: 84 new ones have been added to the existing 180. The region also has about 140 separate farms and more than 100 illegal outposts.
Israeli security services said coordination with Palestinian security structures is being maintained, although individual incidents require constant monitoring. Among the risks, they cited the significant amount of weapons held by the Palestinian Authority, as well as weapons smuggling across the Israeli-Jordanian border.
The Israeli side considers one of the extreme scenarios to be a possible struggle for Mahmoud Abbas's position, during which weapons could be used against IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians. The political leadership has instructed officials to strengthen preparations for such a development. According to the publication's sources, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz may push for the takeover of additional refugee camps and an expansion of operations in the West Bank.
