Hamas Aims to Ignite West Bank as Next Major Conflict Zone

Following a car-ramming attack at the "Blalim" checkpoint on Route 443, which critically injured Neriah Laiter, son of Israel's ambassador to the US, a senior officer in the IDF Central Command briefed military reporters on the army's operational efforts in the West Bank. The briefing highlighted a significant decision to deploy an additional division headquarters to the region, the first such deployment since 2002, underscoring the high level of concern within the IDF regarding the West Bank's volatility, particularly in the coming months.

This heightened alert stems from intelligence indicating that Hamas, operating from Turkey, is a primary driver of terrorist activity in the West Bank, providing direction and funding. Israel has long protested Turkey's hosting of Hamas's "West Bank headquarters," a structure established in 2012 to coordinate attacks. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, viewing Hamas as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, has largely ignored these concerns. The article notes that Hamas enjoyed Turkish hospitality even before October 7, with Salah al-Arouri, who led the "West Bank headquarters," being a prominent figure.

Al-Arouri, who was later assassinated in Beirut in January 2024, had previously admitted Hamas's military wing was behind the 2014 kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers. While al-Arouri was forced to relocate from Turkey to Beirut around March 2022, reportedly as a condition for improved Israeli-Turkish relations following President Isaac Herzog's visit to Ankara, the article states that Turkey has since resumed hosting Hamas operatives. Zahir Jabarin, al-Arouri's successor and also Hamas's finance chief, reportedly operates from Istanbul, where recent Hamas leadership elections were also held.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has alluded to Turkey hosting Hamas at the UN, but has been cautious in his public statements, partly due to Turkey's relationship with the US and President Erdogan's ties with former President Donald Trump, which complicate diplomatic efforts. The prevailing understanding within Israel's security establishment is that Hamas, with Iranian backing and Turkish acquiescence, is actively attempting to incite violence in the West Bank. This region is seen as fertile ground for such efforts as it is not currently under a ceasefire agreement, unlike Lebanon and Gaza.

Furthermore, Hamas seeks to undermine the Palestinian Authority's legitimacy. A wave of attacks serves a dual purpose: harming Israel and weakening the PA. The article suggests that Turkey implicitly favors Hamas over the PA in controlling the West Bank and Gaza. The author also critically notes that while Hamas is trying to ignite the region, a small group of settlers, with the full support of certain Israeli ministers, is also contributing significantly to the instability.