Israel, PA seek to prevent Hamas from igniting West Bank
Joint security efforts in the West Bank between the Palestinian Authority and Israel aim to prevent Hamas cells from instigating strife.
Israel announced the arrest on Nov. 21 of a Hamas-affiliated military cell in the West Bank, which was planning on carrying out suicide bombings against Israeli soldiers and settlers.
The detailed announcement stated that the Hamas-affiliated cell included 30 members, some of whom received military training elsewhere and returned to the West Bank to execute missions against Israel. According to the announcement, such missions included a shooting, a bombing, kidnapping Israelis from both inside and outside Israel, rigging cars with explosives and carrying out an operation inside Jerusalem's soccer stadium.
Hamas did not comment on the arrest. However, Izzat al-Rishq, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, refused to deny or confirm the existence of these cells. He told Al-Monitor, “The resistance has the lead and can ignite a revolutionary mobilization if it has the chance, following the victory it accomplished in the last war on Gaza.”
In an interview with Al-Monitor, Palestinian security services spokesman Adnan al-Damiri ruled out Hamas’ ability to carry out a meaningful operation in the West Bank, since the security apparatus completely controls the West Bank to prevent all armed operations.
