Israel threatens Gaza amid West Bank escalation
Israel threatened to target Hamas and its leaders in the Gaza Strip over the movement’s role in inciting young Palestinians to attack Israel in the West Bank and forming and funding military cells.
Head of Israel’s Shin Bet security service Ronen Bar recently warned Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’ leader in the Gaza Strip, to stop encouraging attacks against Israel and attempt to ignite the situation in the West Bank.
Bar’s warning came during a recent Shin Bet meeting, Israel’s Channel 12 reported Sept. 25.
According to the channel, Bar also stressed that the situation in Gaza cannot remain calm while Hamas is igniting the West Bank by recruiting cells and planning armed attacks against Israel. The channel also reported that Israel will launch a new operation in Gaza in case Hamas does not stop interfering in the West Bank.
In a Sept. 25 statement, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said Bar’s comments reflect the political, security and military distress that the Israeli leaders are facing due to the new equation the resistance has imposed in the Gaza Strip and the growing resistance in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
