The recent surge in deadly violence in the West Bank has put the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority in a difficult position, exacerbating tensions in an already complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict. With more than 90 Palestinians killed in the past two weeks, mainly in clashes with Israeli troops, the conflict threatens to open another front in the ongoing war. This unsettling scenario puts pressure on the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the West Bank while being deeply unpopular among Palestinians due to its cooperation with Israel on security matters.
The Toll of Violence:
Over the past few weeks, six Palestinians were killed in separate incidents, including an airstrike on a mosque in the volatile Jenin refugee camp, which Israel claimed was being used by militants. In another incident, a battle in a West Bank refugee camp resulted in the deaths of 13 Palestinians, including five minors, and a member of Israel’s paramilitary Border Police.
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Statistics:
The war, which began two weeks ago, has claimed the lives of more than 1,400 people in Israel, mainly civilians killed in the initial Hamas assault. The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza reports that over 4,300 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict started. In the West Bank alone, the Palestinian Health Ministry states that 91 Palestinians have lost their lives since the attack. Additionally, in the year leading up to the Hamas assault, 197 Palestinians were killed in the region.
Increased Aerial Attacks:
Israel’s move to employ air power in the occupied West Bank, typically reserved for its operations in Gaza, is an indication of a shift in military tactics. This shift is further emphasized by the intensity of the aerial attacks in Jenin, which haven’t been seen since the Palestinian uprising against Israel two decades ago. Israel justifies these strikes by describing the targeted locations as militant compounds belonging to Hamas and Islamic Jihad, both of which have been involved in several attacks and are reportedly planning more.
The Palestinian Perspective:
The conflict stems from the complex issue of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which the international community widely considers illegal. With over 500,000 Israelis residing in these settlements, the more than 2.5 million Palestinians in the area live under Israeli military rule. The settlements are seen by Palestinians as the primary obstacle to achieving a resolution to the conflict, and previous attempts at peace negotiations halted over a decade ago.
Settler Violence and Displacement:
Settler violence against Palestinians has increased since the Hamas attack, resulting in the deaths of at least five Palestinians. Human rights groups have also reported cases of settlers torching cars and attacking small Bedouin communities, leading to forced evacuations. The West Bank Protection Consortium, an alliance of non-governmental organizations and donor countries, including the European Union, states that since October 7, at least 470 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced due to settler violence, adding to the 1,100 already displaced since 2022.
The escalating violence in the West Bank further complicates the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Alongside the ongoing warfare in Gaza, this surge in violence puts pressure on the Palestinian Authority, which faces criticism for its cooperation with Israel. As the death toll rises and tensions persist, finding a long-term solution to the conflict seems more challenging than ever. It is imperative for all parties involved to prioritize peace and seek a resolution that guarantees security and self-determination for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Market Capital Research 