Israel Today – Adapted

Since a year and a half, occupation troops have started waging war against the resistance in the occupied West Bank, beginning in Jenin, advancing to Nablus, and most recently, to Tulkarm. These regions embrace the most prominent resistance groups, particularly in Jenin and Nablus.

Before about two years ago, the authority was in charge of maintaining the security of these areas, and the occupation army only intervened in exceptional and unusual circumstances. However, a number of factors have met and caused the authority to become weaker until it is almost nonexistent. Hence, this provided an excellent opportunity for the resistance factions to develop and strengthen, led by the Islamic Jihad Movement. The army and the Shin Bet (Shabak) had to step up their action against the resistance as a result of a rapid increase in resistance operations, which they did by making arbitrary daily arrests and using the undercover units.

Yesterday, Monday, the apprehending of two resistance fighters was complicated. The force was discovered, and Molotov cocktails were utilized against the soldiers. Also, a vehicle broke down. In an effort to save the force, a shootout occurred, and seven soldiers sustained injuries. Dozens of Palestinians were injured, including five who were proclaimed martyrs. Additionally, the Israeli army was compelled to utilize combat helicopters to cover up and aid in the rescue for the first time since 2002's Operation Defensive Shield. This assures the improvement of the Palestinian resistance.

All of this inevitably leads to the conclusion that a larger campaign in the northwestern West Bank is necessary. It is not necessary to occupy or return to the area in order to maintain control; instead, it is necessary to concentrate large forces and highly utilize intelligence and operational capabilities in order to quickly and efficiently overcome the greatest possible number of resistance fighters and weapons. This particular campaign option has been on the table for more than a year, but it is believed that the appropriate time to implement it is now.