The West Bank: A Security Nightmare for Israel?

By: E. Mahdavi

Since the illegitimate establishment of Israel in 1948, Israel has been plagued by persistent security challenges. Opposition from Islamic countries and Palestinian military resistance factions has consistently posed a serious military-security threat to the Zionists. In recent years, the rise of resistance groups in the besieged Gaza Strip has intensified this threat, leaving the Zionists in a perpetual state of insecurity.

However, it is the West Bank that has emerged as a particularly alarming security and military source of threat for the Zionist regime. Once considered an undefended Palestinian area, the West Bank is now reshaping the balance of power in the region. A decade ago, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution boldly declared that the West Bank must be armed and ready to defend itself—a seemingly improbable notion at the time. Yet, as the years have passed, developments in the occupied territories have shown that the West Bank is becoming a quagmire for the Zionists, much to the dismay of their security organisations.

The Zionists are deeply apprehensive about the growing influence of Palestinian resistance forces in the West Bank, mirroring the situation in the Gaza Strip. They fear that these forces might successfully launch rockets towards their settlements and territories. Recent events and reports suggest that the Zionist regime must confront this reality. The leader of the Islamic Revolution's words about arming the West Bank have come to fruition, and the Damocles Sword of Palestinian resistance now hangs over the Zionists, prompting their immediate attention and action.

The West Bank Palestinians have increasingly aligned themselves with the Hamas and Islamic Jihad resistance groups, causing a decline in the acceptability of the Palestinian Authority led by Mahmoud Abbas. The Palestinian Authority, previously seen as a collaborator with the Zionist regime, has lost significant control over the West Bank. Simultaneously, the resistance forces' popularity in the region has surged due to their unwavering stance against the Zionists. Consequently, the Zionist regime is deeply concerned about the weakening of the Palestinian Authority and the strengthening of Islamic Jihad and Hamas in the West Bank.

A notable incident occurred approximately two months ago when the Zionist regime's military conducted an ill-fated operation in the Jenin region. This endeavor resulted in embarrassment for the Zionists as they fell into an ambush set by the Palestinian resistance. The presence of Zionist military helicopters during the operation added to the humiliation. Realising their predicament, the Zionists had to call upon the Air Force for assistance. This operation, along with subsequent events, vividly illustrates the evolving landscape and the emergence of a new battleground.

During a recent meeting with Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Imam Khamenei, emphasised the importance of the young and devoted Palestinian generation's sense of responsibility in the ongoing struggle against the Zionist occupiers. Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted recent events in Jenin, where Palestinian youth successfully besieged the Zionist military, as a clear example of this new paradigm. These events serve as harbingers of a bright future for the Palestinian nation.

In response to the tangible security threat posed by the West Bank, the Zionists launched a wider operation in the Jenin camp, deploying a significant number of soldiers, rangers, military equipment, drones, and tanks. However, after forty-eight hours of fierce resistance by valiant Palestinian fighters, the Zionist regime was forced to retreat from Jenin. This operation not only failed to disarm the resistance forces but also weakened the self-governing organisations while increasing the popularity of the resistance groups.

Current assessments indicate that the resistance forces in Jenin are regrouping. With the Palestinian Authority's diminishing control over the region, the Zionists may contemplate launching another operation in an attempt to regain control. The struggle of Palestinians in the West Bank, from the first intifada to the present day, demonstrates significant changes. These transformations underscore the power of the armed resistance axis and the West Bank's growing ability to withstand the Zionist regime.

The Zionists can no longer revert the West Bank to the conditions of the first intifada. It has become a perpetual centre of crisis, growing stronger and more resolute with each passing day. The struggle in the West Bank is evolving, and the armed resistance axis continues to gain strength. The future seems promising for the Palestinians as they stand resolute in their pursuit of the final victory.