Hamas denies connection to West Bank attacks
Despite a lack of evidence of political affiliation of the attackers, the acts of violence against Israeli soldiers and settlers in the West Bank are raising concerns about possible involvement by Hamas.
There has been a security escalation in the West Bank since early 2015 between the Palestinians and the Israeli army. Attacks by individuals are prevailing after organized military resistance degenerated. Israeli and Palestinian security efforts have largely thwarted armed Palestinian operations against Israeli targets in the West Bank, Jerusalem and Israel.
The Palestinian and Israeli security services are making wide-scale arrests of anyone suspected of planning armed operations. The two parties are exchanging intelligence to deter any attempt by Palestinian factions to ignite the West Bank and push it into a confrontation with the Israeli army.
The latest Palestinian attack came on the evening of June 29, when Palestinians shot and injured four Israelis near Shafout Raheel settlement, north of Ramallah.
On June 27, an Israeli vehicle was shot near Beit El settlement in the central West Bank. No injuries were reported.
