In the midst of the Israel-Hamas conflict, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh revealed in an interview with Al Jazeera that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has crafted a deliberate strategy. This strategy aims to completely isolate Gaza and incrementally annex the West Bank. While the world's attention is focused on the ongoing violence in Israel and Hamas-controlled Gaza, Shtayyeh's remarks highlight what he considers a highly precarious situation in the West Bank.
The West Bank has gained significance in the context of the Israel-Hamas conflict due to the aspirations of both major Palestinian governing entities. Hamas, which governs Gaza, and the Palestinian Authority, in control of the West Bank, both seek an independent Palestinian state. However, Israel has insisted that any Palestinian state must be demilitarized to ensure Israel's security.
Following a significant incursion by Hamas into southern Israel, Israeli forces have intensified their control over the West Bank. They have implemented strict measures, including the closure of crossings into the territory and checkpoints between cities, which they claim are essential for preventing potential attacks. Hamas militants are also known to operate in the West Bank, primarily underground, due to Israel's tight grip on the region.
The situation in the West Bank is currently described as a "very dangerous situation" by the Palestinian Prime Minister. As the violence in Gaza and Israel continues, the situation remains grim in the West Bank. Since the conflict began three weeks ago, more than 110 Palestinians have lost their lives, and over 1,900 have been wounded in the West Bank, primarily in Israeli military raids and clashes with Israeli settlers, according to latest reports.
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