In addition to the Gaza Strip, the West Bank is also under Palestinian control. Clashes occur here again and again. How might the military operation affect the area?
The most important things at a glance
The Palestinian autonomous region does not only include the Gaza Strip in the south. The West Bank – called the West Bank in English-speaking countries – in the east and East Jerusalem also belongs to the Palestinian administrative zone. There have been repeated clashes in the West Bank since Hamas’ terrorist attacks a week ago.
The Israeli army is carrying out increased raids in the area. According to its own information, 280 Palestinians were arrested last week. According to the information, 157 are Hamas supporters. You can read more about Hamas here. In addition to the Israeli military, settlers were also involved in the clashes. So far, 54 Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are said to have been killed. 1,100 others are said to have been injured. The information was provided by the Ministry of Health in Ramallah.
Experts suspect that a military operation could be imminent not only in the Gaza Strip, but also in the West Bank. This is necessary to finally destroy the terrorist organization Hamas. However, experts do not agree on whether the Israeli army could accomplish this. What would an escalation of the situation in the West Bank mean for Israel?
Over 50 Palestinians dead in the West Bank in one week – That’s a very high number.
Steven Höfner
What is the situation in the West Bank?
Israel maintains a strong security presence in the West Bank. The state has a network of checkpoints in the region. Some of the posts are permanent, some are temporary.
However, the security forces have not announced an exact number, as the Arabic television channel Al-Jazeera writes. In addition, new ad hoc items would often arise overnight without prior notice.
In total, around 5.35 million people live in the Palestinian territories, 2.2 million of them in the Gaza Strip and 3.1 million in the West Bank. The West Bank is divided into three zones: A, B and C. The zones regulate the jurisdiction of the authorities of Palestine and Israel.
Zone A: Approximately 18 percent of the West Bank is in this zone. This is also where most of the larger Palestinian cities are located. The Palestinian authorities have control over security and civil affairs here.Zone B: Approximately 22 percent of the West Bank lies in this zone, primarily villages and small towns. Internal security and civil affairs are regulated here by Palestinians and Israelis.Zone C: Approximately 60 percent of the West Bank lies in this zone. Israeli settlements, military training areas and nature reserves are located here. Internal security and civil affairs are the sole responsibility of Israel.
What could the Gaza offensive mean for the West Bank?
The escalation in southern Israel, around the Gaza Strip, could also affect the West Bank. With a view to an impending ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, security analyst Zoran Kusovac assumes that it could be difficult for the Israeli military to maintain all bases in the West Bank. His analysis was published by Al-Jazeera.
Kusovac estimates that the Israeli army needs 50,000 soldiers alone to maintain all checkpoints in the West Bank. That is a third of the army strength in peacetime. The expert expects 30,000 to 50,000 emergency services to be deployed directly in the settlements.
West Bank: Does the attack follow the offensive in Gaza?
On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented again on the military offensive. “We are defeating our enemies with unprecedented strength,” said the Prime Minister. And further: “I emphasize that this is just the beginning.” Israel’s goal is to destroy Hamas. Netanyahu said that his army would win the fight “I won’t explain our plans in more detail, but I’ll tell you, this is just the beginning,” said the President.
