Iran and Hamas step up West Bank attack plots, Israel warns
Israeli forces intensify raids and prepare reinforcements as security officials warn that a single successful attack could ignite the entire territory
Israeli security officials have identified a sharp increase in warnings about planned attacks against Israelis in the West Bank, with many of the alleged plots directed by Iran and Hamas operatives outside the territory.
According to a senior Israeli military official to Israeli media Channel 12, the effort to carry out attacks remains intense despite growing difficulties faced by militant groups attempting to organize significant operations from abroad.
“The motivation to carry out attacks in the West Bank is high, and the lack of success only increases that motivation,” the official said, using the Israeli term for the West Bank.
Security officials believe those behind the plots are seeking a high-profile attack that would deliver a symbolic victory and potentially trigger broader unrest. The military is therefore working to prevent even isolated incidents from escalating tensions across the territory.
“Our role is to prevent any terrorist attack that could ignite the entire sector,” the senior official said.
Israeli forces have continued nightly operations involving arrests, interrogations and the seizure of weapons. The military said troops from its West Bank division detained about 60 suspects over the past week, including individuals allegedly preparing to carry out attacks in the immediate future.